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Walz COVID-19 plan continues to show success

Minnesota has weathered the devastating pandemic better than any other state in the Upper Midwest. Credit goes to Gov. Tim Walz and his health experts, as well as the people of Minnesota who did everything that was asked of them to slow the spread of the virus. Health care providers and organizations as well as researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota were also strong partners in the effort, and they too, deserve credit. As we near the end of the pandemic — and yes, Walz and other experts are describing “an end” — we should look back on the lessons ...

Selling the aid bill’s pros and cons

The Biden administration is planning on hitting the road to sell the idea of the $1.9 trillion virus relief bill that passed Congress on Wednesday, giving President Joe Biden his first major legislative win. It shouldn’t be hard to sell a bill that gives $1,400 checks to most Americans, that extends jobless benefits through August for those who have been put out of work by COVID, that funnels aid to the states and to schools hit hard by shutdowns and revenue losses, that assists bars and restaurants that have been forced to shut down, that increases tax credits for families with ...

A break for the fully vaccinated

This past week the CDC issued relaxed guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These are people for whom two weeks have passed after having both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson. Their vaccine should be in full effect. The new guidelines say: • People who have been fully vaccinated may spend time indoors with other vaccinated people without wearing masks or social distancing. • People who have been fully vaccinated may spend time indoors without masking or social distancing with unvaccinated people ...

Justice for Floyd requires objectivity for Chauvin

The death of George Floyd last May under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer sparked an eruption of anger and frustration from the Black community that continues to this day. The crowds that have demonstrated and protested and sometimes rioted across the nation want one thing — justice for George Floyd. Now the trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-police officer who was taped kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, and its time for rage and anger to be put on hold. Chauvin deserves a trial in which the facts are presented, where they can be considered calmly and ...

Mega-aid bill had better work

With a $1.9 trillion price tag, the COVID-19 aid bill passed by Congress this week has some lofty goals. It is providing huge amounts for COVID vaccines and testing, shoving money to cities and schools to help them recover from virus-related losses, extending the $300 weekly unemployment assistance to this August, and sending $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans to boost their spending and jumpstart the economy. At this cost, it had better work. There’s no doubt people are suffering, and need the economy to start providing more jobs, which would create more revenue for states and ...

Disconnect in Minnesota bonding bill leaves 63-year hole in prison maintenance

It’s not every year Minnesota legislators consider a new bonding bill. Traditionally, in fact, it’s every two years. But in keeping with the oddities of the 2020s so far, another bonding bill is in front of state legislators just a few months after the passing a $1.87 billion bonding package in October. Gov. Tim Walz’s office has put a $518 million package of projects in front of legislators to consider this session. Among the priorities are $100 million for competitive projects to support home ownership through development, home rehab and other initiatives; $52.5 million for ...