$21 million in coronavirus money sails through Minnesota Legislature

The Minnesota Senate voted 64-0 Monday to earmark $21 million to reinforce the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, while the House followed suit hours later on a vote of 133-0. The bill could be on the desk of Gov. Tim Walz tonight if the Senate votes to re-pass the bill with some changes made by the House.

"They’re working in a totally nonpartisan manner, trying to work out just a few technical details," the Democratic governor told reporters shortly before a scheduled debate in the Republican-controlled Senate.

"We’re not just doing an ounce or prevention, it’s a gallon of prevention," Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said during the floor debate. "So we are being serious about it. But I think it’s up to us to tell people to remain calm because we have a plan and we are working together, Democrats and Republicans, the House, the Senate."

Gazelka also reminded everyone to keep everything in perspective, noting there have been 93 flu deaths in Minnesota this season and more than 3,000 people hospitalized with the flu.

Still, Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said the potential public health crisis is now the top priority of the legislative session.

Walz also said "the probability is high" that Minnesota will need to come up with more than the $21 million under discussion Monday, but he said that’s what state agencies think they need for now.

Kris Ehresmann, director of infections diseases at the Minnesota Department of Health, told Minnesota Public Radio that the resources would go mainly toward staffing, the department’s public health laboratory and for personal protective equipment.

The department has recorded two cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, a Ramsey County case that was confirmed Friday and a Carver County case confirmed Sunday.

Coronavirus Outbreak Coverage

The Minnesota Senate prepared Monday to approve $21 million to reinforce the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, while the House was poised to follow suit quickly so that the bill reaches Gov. Tim Walz’s desk this week.

"They’re working in a totally nonpartisan manner, trying to work out just a few technical details, but I think you’ll see it this week," the Democratic governor told reporters shortly before a scheduled debate in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said the House could vote as soon as Monday, too, but that details were still under discussion. She said the crisis is now the top priority of the legislative session.

Walz also said "the probability is high" that Minnesota will need to come up with more than the $21 million under discussion Monday, but he said that’s what state agencies think they need for now.

Kris Ehresmann, director of infections diseases at the Minnesota Department of Health, told Minnesota Public Radio that the resources would go mainly toward staffing, the department’s public health laboratory and personal protective equipment.

The department has recorded two cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, a Ramsey County case that was confirmed Friday and a Carver County case confirmed Sunday.