The Minnesota House passed a nearly $1.9 billion public works infrastructure package Wednesday that lawmakers and workers in the construction industry heralded as a critical economic stimulus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is clear that COVID-19 is having a much greater negative impact on Minnesota’s communities of color than white Minnesotans. It’s important for us to better understand why this is happening and how the Minnesota Legislature can take action to help, both in the short term and into the future,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to do all we can to save lives and prevent needless suffering and tragedy.”

Today, House and Senate DFLers unveiled the 2020 edition of the Minnesota Values Project, an initiative designed to engage legislators, Minnesotans, and community groups in a conversation about the future of our state. The Minnesota Values Project was started in 2017 when House DFLers traveled the state to listen to Minnesotans and have conversations about our shared values.

This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a package of COVID-19 economic security legislation. The bill, HF 1507, contains provisions for housing assistance, a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants, funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans.