Beloved Community, A lot is continuing to happen at the Legislature. Here is what you need to know. House approves funding for emergency COVID-19 bills

Today I voted with my colleagues to approve a package of emergency COVID-19 bills to help protect Minnesotans’ health and economic security. The legislation passed today includes, among other things, $9 million to the Department of Human Services for food security, $26.5 million for the Emergency Service Grants program to provide shelter for Minnesota’s homeless population, $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers, $10 million for small business loans, financial relief for Minnesota’s workers, and the necessary flexibility for state agencies to respond to the pandemic. Yesterday, Governor Walz asked Minnesotans to “buckle it up for a few more weeks” via issuing an executive order that directs us to stay at home and travel beyond essential needs. This order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10. Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, and while doing so, they should practice social distancing: Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies

Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing

Necessary Supplies and Services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out

Essential and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside this state

Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household

Displacement, such as moving between emergency shelters if you are without a home

Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home has been unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or essential operations reasons

Tribal activities and lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation Workers who work in critical sectors during this time are exempt from the stay at home order. These exemptions are based on federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with some Minnesota-specific additions. This includes, but is not limited to, jobs in: Healthcare and public health

Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders

Emergency shelters, congregate living facilities, drop-in centers

Child care

Food and agriculture

News media

Energy

Water and wastewater

Critical manufacturing The Governor is working hard to protect Minnesotans by buying us precious time to slow the spread of COVID-19. Here is a partial list of what is open and closed during this period. Keep In Touch As always, feel free to reach out with any feedback or questions you have for me! I always appreciate working in partnership with you. You can also follow me on my facebook page. Everything is moving quickly right now so be sure to stay connected! In solidarity, Aisha Gomez

651-296-7152

rep.aisha.gomez@house.mn