SC Minnesota News

State Sen. Julie Rosen commended her constituents' efforts in flattening the curve of COVID-19 during a letter to constituents on her website.

"We can only do this when we unite from a distance and that is exactly what you’ve done," Rosen wrote. "Keep up the good work and smiles – we will get through this together."

Rosen doesn't fully agree with Gov. Tim Walz's latest round of executive orders, but, she wrote that she wants to keep Minnesota's citizens safe.

"While we need to do what is best for the health and well-being of all of Minnesota, it is time to start examining what can be opened safely," Rosen wrote. "I am urging the governor to open Minnesota, starting with rural Minnesota. I’ve heard from many of you supporting the discussion of opening Minnesota back up and I really appreciate those emails."

Rosen stressed that even if the Capitol was closed, her office is always open and she urged her constituents to continue to reach out to her with their concerns.

Rosen also discussed a bill passed by both the House and the Senate—SF4458—which is aimed at protecting frontline workers.

"The Minnesota Senate took swift action on Wednesday to protect workers who contract COVID-19 while working on the front lines of the pandemic by making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits without having to prove they were infected on the job," Rosen wrote. "Under the legislation, workers in certain job classifications are presumed to have an occupational disease if they contract COVID-19, thereby automatically making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits."

Rosen wrote that she was happy that the bill was passed so quickly. The bill includes peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, healthcare workers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, healthcare providers and childcare workers of first responders and healthcare workers.

Rosen also noted that internet providers will not terminate service for the time being and that after speaking with school superintendents in her district, she wanted to stress that making sure rural areas can be connected for distance learning is a top priority.