Minneapolis Review

The Minnesota Senate has passed its third COVID-19 response bill, allocating an additional $331 million to help the state’s citizens combat the pandemic.

The bill establishes a dedicated COVID-19 Minnesota Fund that will be used by Gov. Tim Walz in effort to keep Minnesotans safe during this emergency. According to an MNSRC release, the package includes funding for childcare providers, college students, small businesses, veterans, homeless shelters and food shelves.

The first two COVID-19 bills allocated $221 million in funding for medical needs, with the third bringing the total to $552 million.

“I want to assure Minnesotans we are working together to keep people safe from Coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease,” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) said in a statement. “There are many ways that state government can act to protect Minnesotans’ lives and their livelihood, and this is just the first step to taking care of the most important needs.”

“Today, we’ve established a dedicated fund for COVID-19. The COVID-19 Minnesota Fund will significantly prepare our state for the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Senate Finance Committee Chair Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) in a statement. “We know that we need to be ready for an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and there are significant costs to government agencies to prepare and respond. Over the next eighteen months, we can look back at this fund and be proud that we took the necessary steps to mitigate the spread of the virus by supporting the most immediate needs to state agencies.”

The bill was put together as part of a bipartisan effort, showing unity across the senate board, and passing unanimously by a 67-0 vote.

“It is encouraging to see all our leaders working so collaboratively on this bill,” said Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) in a statement. “I believe there is still work to be done, especially for our vital small businesses. On top of various highlights in today’s bill, it includes funding for food shelves and CARE networks that help deliver food to our seniors, so they can stay safe at home.”

The newest bill includes $30 million in Child Care Aware grants as well as changes to relax the REAL ID requirements as the deadline quickly approaches. There is also additional funding for homeless shelters and the State Soldier Assistance Program for affected vets.

As of March 29, the nationwide COVID-19 numbers have grown to over 140,000 confirmed cases and 2,457 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University report. The United States now faces the most confirmed cases in the world.