Walz to Extend Emergency Powers

During a press availability with reporters today, Governor Tim Walz announced that he will be notifying the legislature tomorrow that he will extend his peacetime emergency powers for another 30 days.

Walz Press Availability

Following an event today to highlight state efforts to connect food service works with COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Tim Walz took questions from reporters.

Legislature Returns from Recess

The legislature returned today from the Easter/Passover recess. Committees met throughout the day and both chambers had brief floor sessions at noon.

Legislative Recess Begins Tomorrow

The legislature will be in recess for the Easter and Passover holidays starting tomorrow. The recess will continue through Monday, April 5. Legislative activity will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6.

Walz to Announce Vaccine Eligibility Expansion Tomorrow

This afternoon, Governor Tim Walz’s office released the following statement:

“Tomorrow, Governor Walz will announce that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April, and as Minnesota has become a national leader in getting shots into arms quickly. This week Minnesota was ranked number one in the country for the percentage of vaccine doses administered to Minnesotans. The state has vaccinated 80% of our seniors, outperforming the nation, and has also vaccinated at least two-thirds of our school and child care personnel.”

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a media briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 and discuss COVID-19 vaccination.

Walz to Quarantine After COVID-19 Exposure

Today, Governor Tim Walz’s office released the following statement after the governor and other state officials were potentially exposed to COVID-19 on Monday:

Brothers and Sisters, 

On Monday March 15, 2021 | appointed brother Simon Monson Local 34's new Organizer. Simon has served many positions at Local 34 throughout the years. We appreciate his continued dedication to serve this Local. 

Simon will oversee the Insulators part in protesting against Marathon Oil. This campaign is a large campaign with all MN Building Trades participating. In this campaign we will be banner local Speedway gas stations along with the Marathon plant in St. Paul Park, MN for a couple of months. We need as many volunteers as we can get! It would be great to see as many members as possible out on the line protecting our work. If we do not protect what was fought for in the past, we will not have a future! Nothing is given to anyone in life, and we can not rely on others to guarantee our future. 

I want to give a huge thank you those who have already put themselves out there defending our turf! You are the leaders leading the way! Insulator Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Those who are leaders please reach out to: 

Simon Monson 

Organizer/ Marketing Representative 

Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 34 

612-401-3936  

Fraternally, 

Samuel Schultz 

Walz Extends Peacetime Emergency

As Minnesota ramps up vaccination distribution and monitors new variants of COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 21-12 to extend the peacetime emergency in Minnesota. The peacetime emergency is critical to the state’s ability to respond to the pandemic, including efficiently distributing the vaccine. The federal government and 48 other states remain in a state of emergency.