Greetings Northlanders,

I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. This week, a testing breakthrough was reached working with the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare and other health care providers which will drastically increase our COVID-19 testing capacity. Under the new plan, we will be able to test every symptomatic Minnesotan, with as many as 20,000 tests administered per day. This strategy will expand our understanding of how the virus is affecting our population, help us effectively fight the disease, and support the safe re-opening of Minnesota’s economy. Visit the state’s new testing website here.

Here’s an update on some other developments from the past week.

Distance Learning Extended

This week, Governor Walz made the difficult announcement that distance learning would continue through the remainder of the 2020 school year. This adjustment has been difficult for teachers, students, and families but considering our status regarding COVID-19, it’s the right move to keep people safe. Many students and teachers expected the announcement, nevertheless, it’s heartbreaking news, especially for high school seniors who won’t be able to savor their last days with friends.

The governor and his administration are committed to pursuing opportunities to expand technology for students, provide guidance for educators on how to best connect with students, and support families. One of the biggest barriers to successful distance learning is a lack of accessible high-speed broadband in many of our rural areas. Monday, at 12:45 p.m., the Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division will hold a remote hearing on my legislation to increase our investments in broadband. You can livestream the hearing here.

On another note, I wanted to share some educational resources from Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. During this challenging time, the outdoors remains a place for us to turn and right now is a good opportunity to get young people engaged in nature. Wolf Ridge’s standards-based lessons for learners of all ages cover a variety of perspectives including – science, history, culture, art, and literature. Explore the “Adventures in Learning” online curriculum here.

Reopening Businesses: The Next Steps

Our social distancing efforts are working and compared to other states we are extremely well-positioned in our battle with COVID-19. I also recognize some folks are frustrated that things aren’t getting back to normal more quickly, but if we don’t proceed carefully, we could jeopardize the progress we’ve made so far.

I’m pleased that Governor Walz has announced that steps are underway to reopen some businesses in non-critical sectors. This will be a gradual process, starting with workers in non-customer facing industrial and office-based businesses who aren’t able to telework. More information about this process is available here. The Department of Employment and Economic Development has created a template plan for employers to use if they wish as they implement procedures ensuring compliance with state and CDC guidelines.

Workers, businesses, and public health experts will all have to be at the table as decisions are made to ensure Minnesotans can remain safe and healthy. We can’t just “flip a switch” and have everything suddenly return to how things were prior to the pandemic. Instead, an approach “gradually turning the dials” will be most effective in ensuring businesses can reopen, workers can get back on the job, and most importantly, Minnesotans can be safe.

Frontier Settlement

Recently, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ordered rebates and bill credits to Frontier Communication customers (both current and former) for inadequate services, based on terms of a settlement the company reached with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. In Minnesota, companies that don’t provide promised services or use deceitful billing practices must be held accountable, and I’m grateful customers will get some relief. If you are eligible, with summer on the way I hope you’ll act fast and file a claim so you don’t forget and get shut out from receiving money you’re owed.

You should have received an application for a refund or bill credit by now from Frontier. Customers must send in a claim form by mail at the address provided on the form, or electronically on the Frontier website. Frontier must review the claim and respond within 90 days of receipt. The deadline to apply is July 20.

Unemployment Benefits for Self-Employed Workers

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) began making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments for self-employed, contract, and other workers who were not previously eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA:

• If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
• If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
  • If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
• If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. They expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April.
• You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail.
• Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.
• PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.

Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found here: COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors.

Please continue to visit the state COVID-19 Dashboard for up-to-date information about our efforts to fight the pandemic, and visit the House of Representatives website with other information and links to helpful resources. If I can be of help, please contact me at rep.rob.ecklund@house.mn or 651-296-2190.

Continue to take care of yourself and your family.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative