COVID-19 response

The arrival of COVID-19 upended business as usual in our country and world. This was no different for the Senate, where for the first time in our history we allowed remote voting
and conducted virtual committee hearings. Though certain priorities got tangled in partisan disputes, the DFL-controlled House, GOP-controlled Senate, and Governor Walz worked together to pass legislation and policies protecting the health and wellbeing of Minnesotans in our response to this crisis.
As we passed relief measures, it became clear that we must eliminate cost barriers to testing for COVID-19. I would like to see the costs of testing be waived by health care providers, ensuring Minnesotans who needed a test
would get one. We also passed relief for small businesses. This included loans totaling $30 million for businesses directly impacted by Governor Walz’s Executive Order and another $10 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 but do not qualify for an Small Business Administration disaster assistance loan.
We also passed a second round of emergency small business relief for businesses during Special Session, providing $62.5 million in targeted grants for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Some of the money was allocated for people of color, women, or veteran owned businesses as well. 
Best,
​Senator Jerry Newton.