Update from the Governor
A mandate went into effect on Saturday, July 25 which requires Minnesotans to wear a mask in indoor businesses and indoor public settings. Workers are required to wear a face covering when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Walz also signed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, authored by members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, which will begin to address systemic inequities in Minnesota’s criminal justice system. The bill signing follows weeks of advocacy from Minnesotans across the state who have called for reform after the death of George Floyd.
The bill includes a ban on ‘warrior training’ and chokeholds; arbitration reform; requirements for the duty to intercede; mental health and autism training; reforms to the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board; the creation of a new advisory council with citizen voices; and use of force reform.
Walz signed Ch. 2, SF 4 which contains provisions to address the backlog of Minnesotans waiting to take a knowledge test or road test to obtain a driver’s license. The bill ends the practice of certain driver education schools holding standing appointments at DVS locations, and allows for proctored online knowledge tests in certain settings, such as schools.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has distributed small business emergency loans to 1020 small businesses throughout the state.
The Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program is part of a slate of emergency financing options for small Minnesota businesses. You can see a list of businesses that received a Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan, as well as a breakout of loans by region and lender, on DEED’s website.