MN Government Updates 08.07

Walz Calls August Special Session

Today, Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation calling for a special session of the legislature to convene on Wednesday, August 12. Walz is required to call the legislature back into special session each time he extends his peacetime emergency powers by 30 days. The governor’s current peacetime emergency powers are scheduled to expire on August 12.

The House and Senate will respectively hold votes on whether to end the governor’s peacetime emergency powers. The Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote to end the peacetime emergency powers while the DFL-controlled House is expected to vote to uphold them. A majority vote of both chambers of the legislature is required for the peacetime emergency powers to cease.

Legislative leaders and the governor are not expected to take up any major bills, including a bonding bill, during the August special session.

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a press briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Health

  • Commissioner Malcolm reported 566 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the state total number of cases to 59,185.
  • The median age for a COVID-19 case is 36-years-old.
  • There were four additional deaths due to COVID-19. This brings the total number of deaths in Minnesota due to COVID-19 to 1,640.
  • Currently, 300 patients are hospitalized for COVID-19 with 155 of those in the ICU.
  • Hospitalizations decreased by 19 since yesterday.
  • ICU bed use increased by two since yesterday.
  • There were 16,924 COVID-19 tests processed yesterday.
  • The seven-day COVID-19 test positivity average is 5.3%.

Dr. Ruth Lynfield, State Epidemiologist

  • Dr. Lynfield noted that long-term care facilities are once again seen increase in cases due to community spread.
  • It is believed that the increase in cases is due to healthcare workers engaging in social activities such as attending gatherings or visiting a bar or restaurant.
  • Dr. Lynfield asked for all Minnesotans to do their part to limit transmission and requested those who are in contact with high-risk individuals to be careful.

Minnesota 2020 Primary Election Guide

The state government relations team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen has profiled notable primaries for congressional and legislative races on the ballot for Tuesday, August 11. Read about the 2020 primary races across the state here.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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