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Senate Report by Dan Sparks

 

The Minnesota Legislature’s May 18 adjournment is approaching fast, and we are moving quickly to address COVID-19 related issues and to strengthen our economy. With just over a week to go, we in the Legislature are working closely with Gov. Walz to get our work done and help Minnesotans. We also know that the challenges of COVID-19 will continue to be felt, and our work will continue.

This week we got an update on the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our state’s budget. According to the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget, we have gone from a projected surplus to a projected deficit of $2.4 billion. With tax revenue down, we are in a challenging situation and face difficult decisions down the road.

Thankfully, we are in a stronger position to address this than most other states. Our budget reserve, Minnesota’s rainy-day fund, was at an all-time high of approximately $2.3 billion at the beginning of the legislative session. Additionally, the federal CARES Act will provide over $2 billion in federal reimbursement for spending related to COVID-19 issues. These will help us weather this storm, but we also know that challenges remain. Above all else, we must focus on what we can do to keep Minnesotans safe and help our economy rebound.

One need in rural areas that has been underscored by COVID-19 is broadband internet access. Never before has it been so clear that fast, reliable internet is a public good that every Minnesotan deserves. Yet, thousands of people continue to lack access to broadband, including many students who have now switched to distance learning and patients who must use telemedicine to see their doctor.

On Monday, the Senate moved forward on legislation to help address some of these issues. The bill creates a long-distance learning broadband access program through the Department of Education to provide access to those students with internet access issues during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. It also establishes a telemedicine equipment reimbursement grant program for eligible applicants to acquire telemedicine equipment to serve patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also provided an additional $10 million for border-to-border broadband grants targeting unserved areas.

During these challenging circumstances, my colleagues and I remain focused on keeping our communities safe and how we can help those struggling during this time. With this as our top priority, we must use these remaining days to pass forward-thinking legislation that supports families, farmers, our small businesses and working Minnesotans.

Dan Sparks represents District 27, which includes all or portions of Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower and Steele counties in the southeastern part of the state.