Updates from the Governor
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor continue to lead Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, June 15 Governor Walz traveled to Duluth to visit the Clayton-Jackson-McGhie memorial on the 100th anniversary of their deaths. On June 15, 1920, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, three Black men, were wrongfully accused of a crime, violently removed from the Duluth city jail by an estimated mob of 10,000, and brutally hanged from a lamp post on a city street. The Governor formally recognized their deaths with a proclamation to commemorate the tragic and often untold chapter in our state’s history.
On Tuesday, June 16 the Governor and Lt. Governor highlighted their Local Jobs and Projects Plan to jumpstart Minnesota’s economy and complete critical infrastructure projects across the state. The Governor also signed a bipartisan bill that will support Minnesota’s economic recovery by providing $62.5 million in grants for small businesses.
On Wednesday, June 17 the Governor and Lieutenant Governor continued to work with the legislature to enact police reform and accountability and build a stronger and more equitable economy. The Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a partnership with Coursera to give Minnesotans access to 3,800 courses that cover job-relevant skills in business, technology, and data science as well as courses related to professional and personal development. Minnesotans may provide their name and contact information at CareerForceMN.com/Coursera to receive access.
On Thursday, June 18 Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan were joined by public safety officials and legislative leaders in pushing for police accountability and reform. The Governor also ordered flags to fly at half staff on Friday, June 19 to honor, mourn and remember the victims of COVID-19 and their families.
On Friday, June 19 Governor Walz issued a proclamation to officially recognize June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the state of Minnesota to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. He also called on the legislature to work with communities to establish a state holiday recognizing Juneteenth.