West Twin Cities

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the nation, local leaders are stepping up to ensure that despite the chaos of the virus local businesses and individuals can carry on living as close to normal as is possible. 

According to Rep. Jim Nash, the House came together in legislative session in order to approve some measures aimed at helping Minnesota residents in the COVID-19 crisis. 

First, HF 4556 has ensured that $1.25 million will be directed to Second Harvest Food Bank in order to keep their shelves filled with essential items and to continue to purchase protein products from farmers. 

HF 4556 also will go toward helping farmers who are in challenging situations, will increase Minnesotans’ access to telemedicine and ensure that their coverage is the same as if they were receiving care in person. 

Remote marriage licenses will be permitted and public officials will be meeting remotely to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, Commercial Drivers Licenses and out-of-state licenses will be valid as in-person meetings are not currently permitted. 

On April 17, Nash announced that SF 4489 was passed to permit restaurants to sell wine or a six-pack of beer when customers pick up a meal. This allowance is only for restaurants that already have a liquor license.

As the current state of affairs is so volatile at this time, there have also been proposed changes to the elections policy. 

The State Government Finance committee met to discuss a bill that the Secretary of State is in support of. It would in essence change the way in which elections were carried out both while the pandemic is ongoing and right afterwards. 

"I am now working with the Secretary of State and the DFL committee chair to bring a bipartisan solution to protecting our upcoming elections after they too admitted that we must be bipartisan and that the previous offering was not bipartisan at all,” Nash said.

Nash is open to being reached by constituents at 651-296-4282.