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Neighbors and Friends,
As the COVID-19 crisis expands, I want you to know what the House of Representatives is doing to assist Minnesotans navigate this changing situation. We have been working every day on this situation that changes hour to hour.
Governor Walz is reacting to this rapidly evolving crisis by issuing Executive Orders to protect the health and welfare of Minnesotans. In some cases, where we may be able to lend drafting expertise, the Legislature may assist the executive branch with the Executive Order process and in other cases, action may occur through the passage of legislation.
It is our duty and responsibility to take clear, impactful action on behalf of Minnesotans. We are all working together to get through this crisis.
The Legislature so far has passed robust funding measures for emergency health care preparedness & response, including:
- $21 million to the Department of Health to bolster vital public health responses to combat communicable/infectious diseases, including COVID-19
- $200 million in investments that will be used by providers, including hospitals, clinics, and others for costs related to planning, preparing, and responding to the COVID-19 outbreak
What we’re working on now:
- Ensuring hourly workers and contract workers at our schools get paid
- Ensuring workers have paid time off for COVID-19-related illness or business closure
- Licensing extensions and flexibility for businesses
- Preventing evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic
- Forgiveness for expired driver’s licenses
- Giving the DHS Commissioner temporary authority to keep our long-term care and disability services up and running
- Childcare provider support
- Local jobs and projects bill
- Abatement of penalties for late income and property tax filings
Of these items, my responsibility is to resolve issues around an eviction and foreclosure moratorium and rent subsidy to protect those workers who just lost their jobs when the Governor's executive order closed their employment sites. Many are one paycheck away from not being able to pay their rent or mortgage. This also helps landlords to continue to provide safe housing at a time when Minnesotans are facing the COVID-19 crisis.
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I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email at rep.alice.hausman@house.mn or call me at (651) 296-3824.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice
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