Good Wednesday morning. Here’s your Digest:
1. Coronavirus funding bill signed as another case surfaces. Gov. Tim Walz signed a swiftly-passed $21 million bill Tuesday to bolster the state’s ability to manage the global coronavirus outbreak on a day when the state confirmed its third case. The Democratic governor signed the first bill to reach his desk this session, one day after the Legislature unanimously approved it. The money will be added to an account that now totals about $25 million. About $10 million is also on its way from a federal grant. “I’ll be using one pen and not handing it around,” the governor quipped as he signed the bill, signalling a departure from the tradition of passing out pens to people involved in the legislation. A couple hours later, the Minnesota Department of Health said the state’s third COVID-19 patient is an Anoka County resident in their 30s who was likely exposed to the novel coronavirus through contact with international travelers. Officials don’t think the person was exposed in Minnesota. The Associated Press
2. Coronavirus prompts sick time debate. As health officials race to contain the spread of the coronavirus and prepare the public for quarantines, lawmakers from Minnesota to Washington are debating ways to protect millions of hourly wage earners who do not get paid sick time. Gov. Tim Walz and some top DFL lawmakers say state action may be needed to prevent workers from missing paychecks. “In a health emergency, asking someone to worry about paying rent or child care or leaving work and keeping folks safe, that’s a tough one,” he said Tuesday. “So I think we need to have the conversation.” President Donald Trump, who met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, also has pledged to pursue “very substantial relief” at the federal level, including a payroll tax cut and assistance for hourly workers who need to stay home. But both remedies have met resistance in Congress and at the state level. Star Tribune
3. GOP pushes crime legislation. Minnesota Senate Republicans Tuesday pushed a package of bills they say would make communities safer. The measures would encourage Minneapolis and St. Paul to hire more police officers and add police to light rail trains but would not expand background checks for gun purchases or set up a procedure for removing guns from those deemed a threat, as House Democrats have proposed. “Minnesotans deserve a safe place to live, work and play anywhere in this state,” said Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, the chair of the Senate judiciary committee. A bill sponsored by Sen. Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, would require officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul to use 10 percent of their state aid payments to hire more police. “If Minneapolis and St. Paul can not adequately protect their citizens, we’re going to help them do that,” Chamberlain said. Republican lawmakers say their bills are a response to a recent increase in violent crime in St. Paul and Minneapolis. St. Paul saw a record 30 homicides last year, amid a drop in other violent crimes. MPR News
4. Keeping an eye on the suburban electorate. Minnesotans who went to the polls to vote in the Democratic primary last week gave former Vice President Joe Biden a decisive edge in votes: 38.6 percent statewide, compared to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 29.9 percent. One place that turned out in strong numbers — especially for Biden — was the Twin Cities suburbs, where Biden won a third more votes than Sanders. The primary isn’t the only Minnesota election where the suburbs are a big deal. In a high stakes November election, all 201 Minnesota Legislative seats, every member of the U.S. House and, of course, the presidential contest, will be on the ballot. Minnesotans looking toward the 2020 election would be wise to watch the suburbs. MinnPost
5. A clash over Minneapolis school plan. The fight over the potential redistricting of Minneapolis Public Schools reached a flash point Tuesday when more than 200 parents and teachers showed up to the district’s headquarters to weigh in on the controversial proposal that could shuffle thousands of students to new schools. Parents, teachers and students rallied outside an hour before the school board began its Tuesday meeting, the last before Superintendent Ed Graff is expected to unveil a final version of his proposal. It would upend the district’s makeup by cutting and relocating magnet schools and redrawing attendance boundaries, which officials said would address racial disparities and an anticipated budget deficit of nearly $20 million. Outside the building, a large crowd opposing the Comprehensive District Design proposal waved signs bearing pointed messages like “Comprehensive District Disaster” and chanted that district officials should “show your work” — a dig at what many parents said is a lack of data behind the proposal. Star Tribune | 