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
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.