Legislative leaders and the governor have been working to find common ground on security funding for the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Department officer charged in the case relating to the death of George Floyd. Legislators are continuing to negotiate the amount and oversight of resources as well as police accountability measures. Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 8. Opening arguments are scheduled for Monday, March 29.
Additionally, the Senate is set to take up federal tax conformity legislation. This legislation makes forgiven PPP loans and pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits tax-exempt by the state. There has also been some discussion of including funding for summer school programming in the package as well.
The soonest the Senate could take action on these proposals would be Monday, March 8.
Walz Announces COVID-19 Community Vaccination Event at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan
As part of the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program, Governor Tim Walz announced the state is partnering with the Minnesota Vikings on a new community vaccination event to launch this week at Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Performance Center in Eagan. Approximately 13,400 Johnson & Johnson doses will be administered at TCO Performance Center to health care workers and adults 65 years of age or older beginning this week.
“This partnership with the Minnesota Vikings helps us move the ball down the field in the fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This one-and-done vaccine is safe, highly effective, and helps us more quickly provide immunity to Minnesotans including to our courageous health care providers and our older neighbors.”
On February 27, the Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. FDA authorization comes after rigorous scientific and medical review.
“The TCO Performance Center event is another example of a growing vaccine network in Minnesota,” continued Governor Walz. “With more than 1.4 million doses administered to nearly 930,000 Minnesotans, broad community vaccination is in sight and a return to normalcy is within reach. We are looking forward to being in the stands for high school football under the Friday night lights, the Gophers dominating on Saturdays, and the Vikings winning on Sundays this fall. When vaccine supply from the federal meets demand, partnerships like this with the Vikings will help push us over the goal line in the battle against COVID-19.”
The Eagan vaccination event joins five other community vaccination sites in Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington and Saint Paul.
“While the 2021 football season is several months away, the Minnesota Vikings already have their first win, and by far their most important,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “This partnership gets us closer to ensuring every Minnesotan has the opportunity to access the vaccine, no matter where they live. Thank you, Vikings, for being on Team Minnesota.”
The Eagan event follows the February milestone of more than one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being administered in Minnesota.
“We are proud to partner with the State of Minnesota to utilize Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center as a temporary COVID-19 vaccine site,” said Vikings Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller. “The opportunity to play a role in combatting this virus continues to be a priority for the entire Vikings organization. We believe it’s important for all Minnesotans to get vaccinated, and we encourage everyone to sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector in order to receive updates on vaccination eligibility and opportunities.”
“This effort to vaccinate our frontline staff and those 65 and over is crucial and we’re excited to have this state vaccination event here in Eagan,” said Dakota County Public Health Director Bonnie Brueshoff.
State of Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccination Background
As of March 1, over 137,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered through the State of Minnesota’s community vaccination efforts since January 21. Overall, 1,415,372 doses have been administered to 928,963 Minnesotans. More than 54% of Minnesotans 65+ have received at least one dose. And Minnesota ranks third nationally for percentage of doses delivered being administered.
The state’s all-of-the-above approach to vaccine distribution bolsters the proven network of local health care providers, which is how most Minnesotans should expect to receive the vaccine once the federal government ramps up vaccine supply to meet demand.
Last month, Governor Tim Walz announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans can sign up at mn.gov/vaccineconnector. Minnesotans unable to sign up online or who require translation assistance can call 833-431-2053 between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday to sign up over the phone.
In addition to the Vaccine Connector, Minnesotans can search for local providers on the state’s vaccine finder map: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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