The special session is expected to be limited in scope and a bonding bill will not be voted upon given that Minnesota is still in a post-bond sale blackout period where the state cannot make changes to its financial status. The earliest the legislature could take action on a bonding bill is September 20.

Both the House and Senate are expected to vote on whether to allow the governor to continue his peacetime emergency powers. The DFL-controlled House is expected to vote to allow the powers to remain in effect while the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote to end them.

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a press briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Officials from the Minnesota Department of Education joined today’s call to talk about the first day of school.

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

• Director Ehresmann reported 387 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the state’s COVID-19 case total to 81,608.
• The median COVID-19 case age is 35-years-old.
• There were two additional deaths due to COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the state to 1,862.
• Currently, 257 patients are hospitalized due to COVID-19 with 135 of those in the ICU.
• Hospitalizations decreased by 18.
• ICU bed use decreased by one.
• Director Ehresmann outlined several important measures for parents and families to undertake as the new school year begins:
• Limiting exposure to COVID-19 by social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding crowds.
• Getting tested when appropriate and staying home while getting test results.
• Receiving a flu shot and other immunizations this fall.
• Having a student stay home when he or she feels sick.
• Staying home for 14 days for someone who has had close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.

Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker, Department of Education

• Commissioner Ricker asked students and families to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks, avoiding large groups, and washing hands when outside of the school environment.
• The commissioner also asked businesses to be flexible with their employees to accommodate for working parents who may have a child whose school district is employing a hybrid or distance learning model.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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