COVID-19 could hurt Minnesota's budget for years. Brian Bakst reports : "A planning estimate released Friday by state finance officials shows a $4.7 billion revenue shortfall in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 because of the economic slowdown triggered by the pandemic. The state is already facing a more a $2.3 billion deficit this biennium, but Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans said the financial situation could change depending on the course of the virus. 'We need to see what's going to happen with COVID-19 this fall,' Frans said. 'And that also gives us some time to plan and make sure we make really smart strategic decisions before we have to make the long term budget decisions we'll have to face for '22 and '23.' The long-term outlook does not include any additional money the federal government might send to the states."
Gov. Tim Walz's back-to-school plan is leaving many Minnesotans with more questions than answers. MPR News hosts Angela Davis and Kerri Miller hosted three hours of calls from parents and school workers on Friday: "While some expressed optimism that the governor’s plan could work, it didn’t offer solace for many Minnesotans. 'I was up all night last night just kind of racking my brain for what we’re going to do,' said Anne Halvorson, a parent in St. Paul. Halvorson said she lost her job, as have tens of thousands of other Minnesotans amid the coronavirus pandemic. The uncertainty of what’ll happen with her child’s schooling come fall is making the search for a new job even more difficult. 'I feel like I'm sort of in limbo, not able to talk to employers about whether I can actually go into work or not, or if I need to stay home with my daughter because she’s distance learning.'"
People opposed to the mask mandate gathered in St. Paul over the weekend . Mark Zdechlik reports : "A few hundred people turned out for the rally, with some carrying signs, others American flags, and a few with firearms visible. In announcing the rally, organizers said they're not opposed to people wearing masks — just any statewide rule or law requiring it."
Across the border, Wisconsin Republican's "stand ready" to kill their governor's mask order. Via AP: " Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald stopped short of promising that the Senate would vote to kill the order, which is slated to take effect on Saturday. Fitzgerald, a candidate for Congress who faces a GOP primary on Aug. 11, also did not indicate when the Senate might convene. 'Republicans in the state Senate stand ready to convene the body to end the governor’s order,' Fitzgerald said in a statement. 'The governor has caved to the pressure of liberal groups on this. How can we trust that the he won’t cave again and stop schools that choose in-person instruction this fall? There are bigger issues at play here, and my caucus members stand ready to fight back.'"
Regarding that Aug. 11 primary election ... wondering what's on your ballot? MPR News and the League of Women Voters of Minnesota have built a voter's guide where you can enter your address, political party preference and find out what's on your ticket. And if you have any questions we don't answer, ask us anything about the elections.
