Speaking about what to expect for the future, the governor said, “We are going to potentially by June have 70% of our people vaccinated. That changes the entire calculus. I think Minnesotans should start assuming they are going to have a very normal looking summer. We’ll get there. We’re close.”

Walz Calls on Legislature to Pass Summer Learning Plan

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan called on the Minnesota Senate to quickly pass the summer learning package in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget to ensure schools have the support they need to help students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Passed by the Minnesota House in March, the $150 million plan addresses opportunity gaps and expands summer learning opportunities.

“After a challenging year for students, I’m glad that the Minnesota House passed our education plan to help kids catch up on learning this summer,” said Governor Walz. “With the end of the school year quickly approaching, the Minnesota Senate must finish the job and pass the summer learning plan to ensure our students are ready to conquer the school year in the fall.”

The Governor’s summer learning package:

• Expands summer 2021 programming by providing students with opportunities to catch up on learning. It dedicates $57.5 million in federal funds to expand summer programming with small class sizes and transportation for students. The proposal creates partnerships with community organizations to offer academic enrichment. The legislature must approve federal spending, which occurred earlier this legislative session.
• Expands summer 2021 preschool for 4- and 5-year-olds by providing $20 million in one-time funding for early learners to attend a star-rated public or private preschool or pre-kindergarten in-person learning program at no cost to families. Programs may be able to extend their school year, build upon summer programs they are already offering, or offer new summer programs.
• Expands mental health support in summer 2021 by providing $7 million to expand school-linked mental health services and provide access to well-being support at summer learning programs.
• Supports field trips and hands-on learning in summer 2021 by providing school districts and charter schools with $10 million in supplemental one-time funding for students.
• Accounts for pandemic enrollment loss by maintaining programming that serves all students across the state, including those who are historically underserved. The proposal would provide $25 million in one-time funding to reduce the financial hardship incurred by school districts and charter schools due ta decline in enrollment because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More details on the Governor’s summer learning package can be found here.

In response to the governor, Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), chair of the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee, released the following statement:

"Summer school is funded. Minnesota schools received $2.6 billion from the federal government in the last year, which is about 25% of the state's appropriation for E12 funding. This money can be used for a variety of needs, including summer schools. Rather than raising taxes for a one-time need, like summer school, we should use the one-time federal funds for it."

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a media briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 and discuss COVID-19 vaccination.

Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Health

• Commissioner Malcolm reported 998 new cases of COVID-19. The state’s cumulative total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 581,335.
• Yesterday, 13,840 COVID-19 tests were processed.
• Another 11 Minnesotans died due tCOVID-19. The state’s cumulative total of COVID-19 deaths now stands at 7,174.
• Currently, 575 patients are hospitalized for COVID-19 with 149 of those in the ICU.
• The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate is 6.2%. This is still in the caution range.
• Over 4,390,000 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Minnesotans (first and second doses). The number of people with at least one vaccine dose is 2,590,000. This is 46.5% of all Minnesotans and 59% of those vaccine-eligible who have received at least one dose.

Director Kris Ehresmann, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division

• Over the last week, the state has identified 65 cases of the P1 variant (Brazil variant). Of those cases, 23% of cases interviewed were associated with international travel of some sort.
• Additionally, the state has identified 88 cases of the B1351 variant (South Africa variant). Of those the state was able to interview, 28% had association with international travel.
• The state has detected six cases of a variant called B1651. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this variant was first identified in India last December and has been described as a “variant of interest” by the WHO. It may have mutations that would make the virus more transmissible, cause more severe disease, or evade vaccine immunity.
• The cases involve three households. All had onset of symptoms in April.
• The cases range from adolescents to individuals in their 60s.
• Two of the households had members with known associations with travel.
• One of the six cases was hospitalized.
• In comparison, other strains with known risks – like the U.K., Brazil, and South Africa variants – have been categorized as “variants of concern” – a higher threat level.
• The Minnesota Department of Health encourages those who plan to travel to read the travel recommendations on the department’s website.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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