May 1, 2021
On Thursday, Governor Walz joined bipartisan leaders in the Minnesota Legislature to call for action among Minnesota Senate Republicans on police reform, following the passage of meaningful police reform legislation in the Minnesota House.
“The accountability we saw last week for George Floyd is the floor – not the ceiling – of what we need to do in Minnesota to advance police reform. True justice comes through real, systemic change to prevent this from happening again,” said Governor Walz. “I applaud the effort in the Minnesota House to advance meaningful legislation that would make Minnesota a leader in effective and fair law enforcement policies, practices, and behaviors. I urge the Republicans in the Minnesota Senate to listen to Minnesotans and take action.”
Last summer, Governor Walz signed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act to strengthen transparency and oversight, ban chokeholds, and expand mental health de-escalation. A large number of the proposals included were recommendations from the Deadly Force Encounters Working Group. The diverse group convened by Attorney General Keith Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington — the only initiative of its kind in the country — completed six months of public hearings and listening sessions across Minnesota. Through that process, they put forward 28 recommendations and 33 action steps covering community healing and engagement, prevention and training, investigations and accountability, policy and legal implications, and officer wellness. This Legislative Session, the Minnesota House has advanced a package of meaningful changes to our police departments and criminal justice system.
After Call from Governor Walz, POST Board Takes Steps to Increase Police Accountability
After Governor Tim Walz sent a letter calling for action, the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board moved proposals to create uniform standards in how law enforcement responds to protests and prohibiting peace officers from affiliating with extremist organizations.
“Minnesota cannot let this moment pass without taking immediate action to increase accountability and trust in policing,” said Governor Walz. “I asked the POST Board to take bold action on police reform, and they made critical changes. I’m proud of the steps they have taken to raise the bar for police accountability in Minnesota.”
Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Highlight Minnesota’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, RentHelpMN
Today, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan highlighted the state’s new rental assistance program, RentHelpMN. The program, which is now open for applications, makes it possible for low- and moderate-income renters to get caught up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. It also makes provisions for those at risk of falling behind on rent payments due to the pandemic.
Renters can apply directly or learn more about the application process by visiting renthelpmn.org or calling Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline (Toll Free: 1.800.543.7709; Local: 651.291.0211). The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Governor Walz, Commissioner
Malcolm Tour Mobile Vaccination Units, Highlight Efforts to Ensure Equitable
Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine
On Tuesday, Governor Walz and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm toured one of Minnesota’s mobile vaccination units to highlight efforts to reduce barriers to vaccination by bringing COVID-19 vaccines directly to Minnesotans.
The Walz-Flanagan Administration announced the launch of mobile vaccination units last week to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to communities throughout the state of Minnesota. The mobile units are a key tool to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and prioritize vulnerable and underserved communities.
This week, Governor Walz announced that the state’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ vaccine outreach campaign is focusing on connecting Minnesota’s 16- and 17-year-olds with the Pfizer vaccine. This push comes after a statewide testing push for students and athletes due to a significant increase of COVID-19 cases among younger Minnesotans.
‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, Teens” week began Tuesday, April 27 and will extend through Saturday, May 1. During this week, 16- and 17-year-olds and their families are being prioritized for shots at the state’s community vaccination site at Mall of America. Teens and their loved-ones are encouraged to schedule an appointment this week at Mall of America here: https://primarybio.com/r/vaxmn16
VIDEO: Bipartisan Group of Midwest Governors Encourage Vaccines
Today, Governor Walz, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined together to urge Midwesterners to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
Find out when, where, and how to get your shot
The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans can now use the Vaccine Connector to directly schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the state’s Community Vaccination Program locations.
Minnesotans can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to directly schedule appointments at Community Vaccination locations around the state. If all appointments are full, Minnesotans can also sign up to be informed when they are able to book a Community Vaccination Program appointment and be notified about other vaccination opportunities near them.
On Worker Memorial Day, a day to bring attention to workplace safety and remember workers who have died on the job, Governor Walz pushed for additional measures to ensure all Minnesotans have a safe and healthy work environment.
“Over the past year, workplace safety has taken on new meaning as essential workers put their lives on the line to support Minnesota through COVID-19 ,” said Governor Walz. “Today we recommit ourselves to the hard work of ensuring that workplaces across Minnesota are safe, because every worker deserves to know that they will return safely at the end of every day. To those who have lost families and friends over the past year, Gwen and I offer our deepest condolences.”
Governor Walz declared April 28, 2021, as Worker Memorial Day in the State of Minnesota in honor and remembrance of those who have been injured or lost their lives on the job. You can read the full proclamation here.
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