Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took to Twitter this morning urging Minnesotans to wear masks when they are in public so that business can remain open and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed daily are not as high as they were in May. However, the Governor brings attention to the resurgence of new cases in other states. He has been pleading with Minnesotans to adhere to the CDC guidelines of wearing a mask and staying socially distant when in public.
Although many Minnesotans are requesting Walz to make masks mandatory, he has not put forth any legislation doing so.
Walz also has other fish to fry as he is dealing with the state's budget which has had a negative swing of $4 billion in the past five months.
On Thursday the Governor's office released a letter that Governor Walz wrote to President Trump requesting him to announce a federal disaster declaration. If the President adheres to this request the state can receive funding to help pay for the damages that were caused during the late May protests in St. Paul and Minneapolis, over the death of George Floyd and help those who have experienced financial difficulties due to the pandemic.
Governor Walz also mentioned that in February Minnesota had a revenue surplus of $1.5 billion. However, after being faced with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the economy and damages from fires that took place across the Twin Cities, the state is now dealing with a revenue deficit of $2.4 billion.
Governor Walz is asking for aid under the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act was put in place in 1988 to help give funding to state and local governments that have suffered from natural disasters so that they can carry out responsibilities to aid citizens.