East Twin Cities

Sen. Karin Housley has repeatedly voiced support for the funding bill passed last month which designates funding to critical service providers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus website.

In August, the state was able to pass over $20 million in funding for local and community-based service providers that have been heavily affected by local and state regulations stipulating special operating conditions. 

While the bill is certain to benefit service providers around the state, it does not contain language that guarantees full replacement of revenue. The passed bill provides two-thirds of revenue to service providers with the hope that the grant money is able to stave off bankruptcy and failure for these organizations. 

Included in the bill, also supported by Housley, is an additional $10 million in funding designated to benefit disability service providers, which are burdened by strict guidelines, smaller staff and decreased funding. 

This bill is expected to offer at least a short-term solution for the affected service providers while Minnesota Republicans continue to battle to decrease regulations designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.