Senator Relph applauds passage of emergency COVID-19 legislation

Today, the Minnesota Legislature passed an emergency funding package to assist with the state’s coronavirus outbreak response efforts. The legislation, which is the third aid package approved by the legislature, passed with bipartisan support.

“This is about making sure Minnesotans are equipped to deal with this unprecedented public health emergency. Many employers in our communities have shut their doors and workers are suffering – through no fault of their own. We must make sure Minnesotans are protected, and this bill begins to address that,” said Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud). “We also must be mindful that we have much work ahead of us – including helping Minnesotans recover from this disaster. By taking proactive measures, we can hopefully manage the outbreak across the state – and that’s what we’re doing with this bipartisan bill.”

The legislation includes more than $300 million for the state’s COVID-19 response efforts, including provisions for small businesses, childcare providers, and state agencies. A dedicated ‘COVID-19 Minnesota Fund’ – a bipartisan oversight commission – will be used to allocate the funds during this public health emergency, including a mechanism for monitoring and, if necessary, obtaining spending approval for requested amounts over $1 million, providing important oversight and assurance the money is being used appropriately. The legislation includes $10 million for small business loans, relaxes proof of residency requirements for REAL ID, extends property tax deadlines by one month, and makes temporary unemployment insurance modifications.

The package also includes funding for childcare providers, small businesses, veterans, homeless shelters, and food shelves. Finally, there are provisions for college students impacted by closures or disruptions caused by efforts to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, including extending driver’s license expiration dates, help for college study abroad programs, and protections for the financial stability of those impacted students.

To date, the legislature has passed nearly $552 million to address the pandemic in Minnesota. The legislation now heads to the governor’s desk.         

For more information on the state’s response to COVID-19, please see:

Senator Jerry Relph represents St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, and surrounding areas in the Minnesota Senate.