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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL)

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Assistance is available for workers and businesses impacted by COVID-19

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

During these unprecedented times, Minnesotans continue to care for each other. Click here to read a heartwarming story in today’s edition of the Star Tribune about the extraordinary acts of kindness and generosity happening in Minnesota communities.

This email includes the latest news, updates, and resources for Minnesotans who have questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. My office is a resource that is available to help you navigate public agencies that are providing financial support for workers and small businesses. 

House staff are tele-commuting in order to comply with public health guidelines, so if you call my office at 651-296-4218, please be prepared to leave a voicemail message and include your full contact information. You can also send an email to rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn.  

The Legislature took swift action to appropriate emergency funding for our hospitals, clinics, and providers -- and we are working hard at this very moment to move forward with additional legislation to address the painful financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Minnesotans are facing many challenges right now, and we are likely to face more in the weeks and months ahead. By following public health guidelines, all of us can help “flatten the curve” and protect our health care workers, senior citizens, and other high-risk populations. 


Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson
State Representative 

 

Unemployment insurance is available for workers impacted by COVID-19
If you aren’t able to work for a temporary period of time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you could qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to apply online at www.uimn.org (Sunday-Friday, 6am-8pm) to avoid long wait times. My colleagues and I are exploring what we can do at the state government level to help Minnesotans who don’t qualify for these benefits, such as independent contractors. 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans now available
Small businesses and non-profit organizations can apply right now for low-interest loans of up to $2 million. These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The non-profit rate is 2.75%. These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years. For more information, click here to visit the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan website. 

 

Resources 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
www.cdc.gov 

Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
www.health.state.mn.us 

School and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
www.education.mn.gov 

*Child care providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268.

 

Information for workers and employers: www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid 


Information for Minnesotans who use Metro Transit: http://metrotransit.org/health 


Minnesota Department of Health Hmong language website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/hmong.html 

Minnesota Department of Health Spanish language website:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/spanish.html 


Minnesota Department of Health Somali language website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/somali.html 


American Sign Language PSA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8bUdMEsiPQ&feature=emb_title 


Basic overview of COVID-19 in multiple languages:
COVID-19 in Amharic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Arabic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Chinese (PDF)
COVID-19 in Hmong (PDF)
COVID-19 in Karen (PDF)
COVID-19 in Russian (PDF)
COVID-19 in Somali (PDF)
COVID-19 in Spanish (PDF)
COVID-19 in Vietnamese (PDF)