St Paul ( KROC AM News) - Governor Tim Walz Friday released details of the COVID-19 bill that was approved Thursday by the Minnesota legislature.

Walz says the $330-million package includes the following assistance:
Creates a Minnesota COVID-19 Emergency Fund
Helps businesses across the state secure private funding
Awards grants to licensed family and center-based child care providers who care for the children of health care and other emergency workers
Ensures continued funding for food systems
Provides needed help to local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit partners to protect people experiencing homelessness from exposure to the coronavirus and to mitigate the additional spread of the disease.

The governor signed the bill Saturday.

Here is the bill that was approved by the legislature.

Walz also announced efforts coming out of his Children’s Cabinet to drive resources to child care providers, who are critical for the state’s emergency response.

On Friday, six Minnesota Initiative Foundations launched an Emergency Child Care Grant Program to provide financial support to licensed child care providers in Greater Minnesota, serving families needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They join Think Small, who stepped up last week to issue grants to family child care programs in the metro area serving families of emergency workers.

“As our Administration responds to COVID-19, child care is critical to supporting our workforce and making sure kids have a safe place to be,” said Governor Tim Walz. “While we work with our legislative partners to provide support needed, we must take immediate action to bridge child care providers relief. That’s why I’m proud of this partnership that recognizes how safe and stable child care is essential to keeping Minnesotans safe and healthy.”T

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