The following article summarizes the original event which is listed below the summary.
Minnesota's response to COVID-19
Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget Myron Frans was introduced by University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel.
On May 19, 2020, Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget Myron Frans gave the first remotely presented forum in the history of the University of Minnesota Retirees Association.
Frans launched the Zoom era for our association with a riveting discussion of the State’s response to the novel coronavirus, the fiscal damage done, and a wrap-up of the current legislative session.
Frans was crisp and clear in describing the situation in the state with a series of slides. His report showed 16,327 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 731 deaths (as of May 18). It also showed a massive increase in applications for unemployment benefits (678,331 workers since March 16), and a shift from a budget surplus of $1.5 billion to a projected deficit of nearly $2.5 billion. More than 130 of our members attended the webinar and saw a masterful presentation of facts and planning. Our state government is in good hands.
University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel introduced Frans. She gave a warm and personal welcome emphasizing the close working relationship between the State and the University.
Frans outlined in detail the State’s response to the pandemic, including the declaration of a Peacetime State of Emergency. He said “the primary goal is to save lives” and emphasized the need for decisions to be driven by concern for the health of Minnesota’s citizens and the scientific data about the pandemic. He noted the State’s close interaction with Dr. Jacob Tolar, dean of the Medical School, vice president of clinical affairs, and campus public health officer; and Timothy Schacker, the Medical School’s vice dean for research and one of the University’s leading researchers in infectious diseases.
Difficult issues on a daily basis
Frans also described in some detail the State’s balanced response in allowing businesses to open, and the continued need for social distancing in social settings.
He then outlined the fiscal impact of the pandemic on Minnesota. In early February, the State was projecting a surplus of more than $1.5 billion. At present, the projection is for a deficit of nearly $2.5 billion. The State’s rainy-day fund will cover some but not all of this shortfall. He emphasized the situation is evolving and involves difficult issues on an almost daily basis.
Commissioner Frans also addressed the legislative session that ended the day before his presentation to UMRA. He noted that the legislature did pass some coronavirus relief legislation but failed to pass a bonding bill. There will be a special session, and Frans seemed confident that all sides would reach agreement on a substantial bonding bill. The governor’s current recommendation includes $224 million for the University.
In the question and answer period, Frans indicated a healthy respect for the University in both its economic and educational aspects. He seemed to be at ease working with people of divergent views in solving difficult problems. Taking a practical approach will ultimately get us through these health and economic difficulties, he said.
Our thanks to both Commissioner Frans and President Gabel for a thoughtful and engaging presentation.
—Bill Donohue, president
Commissioner Myron Frans to keynote UMRA’s May meeting via Zoom
Tue, May 19 2020, 12pm
Event to be held via Zoom.
With the Campus Club closed until the end of June, UMRA’s May 19 luncheon meeting in the West Wing Dining Room has been canceled. But our keynote speaker, Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget Myron Frans, has generously agreed to speak to us through the magic of Zoom. And University President Joan Gabel has generously agreed to introduce him.
An invitation to UMRA’s May 2020 Webinar will be emailed to UMRA members by May 1. Please use the invitation—or go to z.umn.edu/UMRA-Forum-May to register in advance. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the Zoom webinar, on Tuesday, May 19, starting at 12 noon.
Myron Frans is the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). This makes him the chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, and state controller, and the head of human resource management and employee insurance for more than 50,000 state employees. He is responsible for developing and presenting to the governor the budget for the state and the appropriations legislation, which is then submitted to the Legislature.
He also reviews submissions by the University for both funding and bonding.
Fiscal impact of the pandemic
Commissioner Frans will speak to us about the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and its fiscal impact; the results of the legislative session, which should be concluded by then; and his perspective on the University as part of the long-term success plan for the state. He is an interesting and engaging speaker who is well informed about the state and the university.
Frans was first appointed to his position by Governor Mark Dayton in 2015 and reappointed by Governor Tim Walz. Prior to his service at MMB, Frans was the commissioner of revenue for four years; served as president of Leeds Precision Instruments, a manufacturing and distribution company in Golden Valley; and for 27 years was a tax attorney and partner at two major Minnesota law firms. He is both deeply experienced and extraordinarily talented.
If you would like to submit a question for Commissioner Frans in advance, please email it to [email protected].
Join us via Zoom on May 19 for this very special meeting!
—Bill Donohue, UMRA president
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.