Category: Minnesota Legislature

Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: December 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

It’s been an eventful week in Minnesota! The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in our state on Monday, hopefully marking the beginning of the end of the pandemic. That night, the Minnesota House and Senate passed a COVID-19 assistance package to support working families and small businesses. Governor Walz signed the bill into law yesterday. He also provided an update on the measures that are in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

New COVID-19 Assistance  

Earlier this week, we delivered new economic assistance for workers and small businesses. The COVID-19 assistance package we approved extends unemployment insurance for Minnesotans who’ve exhausted their benefits. An estimated 100,000 workers, including those whose federal benefits are set to expire on December 26, will receive 13 additional weeks of coverage.  

The legislation includes $88 million of direct financial support for small businesses that are experiencing economic harm due to the pandemic. Restaurants, bars, gyms, and more are eligible to receive this aid. An additional $14 million will be distributed to movie theaters and convention centers, and $114.8 million will go to counties to provide grants to other impacted businesses. You can find more information here.  

Continue reading “Rep. Patty Acomb (HD44B) Update: December 17, 2020”

Millions in COVID-19 relief soon headed for Minnesota businesses, workers

First round will go to businesses hurt most by state-mandated closures.

Minnesota’s divided Legislature this week managed something that its national counterpart in Washington, D.C., has yet to do: strike a deal to send relief to businesses and workers hit hardest by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Now comes the hard part.

As soon as Gov. Tim Walz signs the bill, state and local officials must identify and dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to thousands of businesses across the state. They need to extend unemployment insurance to more than 100,000 Minnesotans whose benefits are set to expire after the holidays. And they need to do it as quickly as possible. Continue reading.

 

Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the peak of the holiday season I know that many folks are facing difficult financial decisions, especially with our tumultuous economy. That’s why the House DFL and I have been hard at work to provide what assistance we can to those who need it most.

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

On Monday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension, as GOP Senators wanted to put corporations before the average worker. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

  1. Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
  2. Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
  3. Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.
Continue reading “Rep. Samantha Vang (HD40B) Update: December 17, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: December 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I continue working with our Edina residents on support strategies for our businesses, schools, and families related to the hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, when Governor Walz implemented new measures to “turn back the dials” in response to the surge of COVID cases in Minnesota, we got to work on ensuring those impacted businesses and workers would have some help. Although the federal government has more resources to more fully address the issues facing our Edina community, their delay in passing a robust relief package required us to take quick action at the state level.  

The package of COVID-19 assistance legislation we passed Monday night isn’t a fix-all solution, but it does provide a bridge for those struggling to get by until federal relief can arrive. The bill includes a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance and direct financial support for businesses. The Department of Revenue estimates that 5,800 small businesses will receive $82-88 million beginning before the end of the year. Another $114.5 million will be distributed to counties to provide grants to impacted businesses, and movie theaters and convention centers will receive $14 million. In this bill, Hennepin County would receive just over $25.2 million for small business grants. You can find specifics on this legislation, including eligible businesses, program requirements, and payment amounts here.

Updated Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, and Other Venues

While the trend of cases are going down, they still remain at dangerously high levels, and the most recent data we received yesterday showed one of the deadliest days yet in this pandemic. In response to this, Governor Walz provided an update on the measures bars, restaurants, gyms, and other venues are adhering to, which start on December 19:

  • Bars, restaurants, and breweries: Will remain closed for indoor dining, but they may open for outdoor service at 50 percent capacity or up to 100 people.
  • Gyms and fitness studios: May open for individual exercise at 25 percent capacity, or 100 people maximum.
  • Youth and adult sports: Practices can resume January 4.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues: Open at 25 percent capacity, up to 100 people maximum
  • Social Gatherings: Minnesotans may gather inside with one other household up to 10 people. If outside, social gatherings may include up to two additional households (three total) with a maximum of 15 people. Masking and social distancing is strongly encouraged.

You can find information on these updates and more at StaySafe.MN. 


It’s no secret we’re facing extremely difficult economic times and our businesses are hurting as a result. Please know that I’m doing all I can, partnering with our community, legislators on both sides of the aisle, our local, county, and federal leaders to find more solutions to ease the burden. You can call me anytime on my cell phone at 651-785-8696 or email at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn to share your experience and ideas to help in this process. Hearing from you helps get us the results Edina needs and deserves.

It’s an honor to serve you at the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Heather Edelson
State Representative

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: SD48 Virtual Town Hall Tonight

Dear Neighbors, 

There’s a lot to catch up on since last week’s update. The Minnesota Legislature passed an extension of unemployment benefits and financial assistance for businesses, the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in our state, and yesterday the Governor announced the latest measures to combat the spread of the virus. We’ll be talking about all this and more during tonight’s District 48 Virtual Town Hall!

We’ll be live at 7:00 pm on my official Facebook page. You may tune in on Facebook even if you don’t have a Facebook account! If you have any specific questions you’d like us to answer, there’s still time to submit them ahead of time here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Continue reading “Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (HD48B) Update: SD48 Virtual Town Hall Tonight”

Minnesota lawmakers pass COVID-19 relief package for businesses, workers

Deal includes business relief and an extension of unemployment benefits. 

The Minnesota Legislature late Monday night approved a COVID-19 relief package, providing aid to struggling businesses and extending unemployment insurance to workers whose benefits could dry up after the holidays.

The $242 million deal will funnel grants directly to bars, restaurants and entertainment venues that Gov. Tim Walz ordered closed for four weeks in mid-November as a second wave of COVID-19 cases hit the state.

It now goes to Walz, who said he supports the aid package. Continue reading.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: December 16, 2020

Please join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn and me for a District 48 Virtual Town Hall tomorrow, December 17 at 7 p.m. To participate, go to my Facebook page: Rep. Laurie Pryor | Facebook. You can submit your questions ahead of time here.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: December 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Early yesterday morning, Minnesota received its very first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. The shipments were delivered to four sites across the state: Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Olmsted Medical Center, and Cass Lake Indian Health Services. 

Throughout the week, Minnesota is expected to receive a total of 46,800 units of vaccine across the statewide regional vaccine distribution hubs. From there, the vaccine will be distributed to smaller hospitals or clinics, and providers will then administer the vaccine to Minnesotans, starting by protecting the life and health of those most susceptible to serious complications and those who care for them.

Last week, the Governor announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. The goal is to quickly, equitably, and safely deliver the vaccine to Minnesotans in partnership with the federal government and local communities in every corner of the state. 

Health care workers and long-term care residents will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by essential workers, seniors, and people with preexisting conditions who are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus. The vaccine, which won’t be mandatory, will be provided to Minnesotans at no cost. You can find more information about Minnesota’s vaccine distribution plan here.

The expected arrival of a vaccine is good news, but this process will require time and patience. In the meantime, it’s critical we do our part to protect each other, our healthcare providers, and Mercy’s hospital capacity by wearing masks, social distancing, staying home when possible, and getting tested. We’re in the final home stretch of beating this virus- let’s keep working together to do all we can to slow the spread. Read more from Mercy Hospital President Sara Criger here.

Minnesota Passes COVID-19 Assistance Package

Monday night, the Minnesota Legislature approved a new economic assistance package designed to help small businesses and workers struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation includes direct financial assistance to the hardest hit businesses and helps protect economic security for workers by extending unemployment benefits.

This is by no means a fix-all solution to the months of hardship our businesses and working families are experiencing, but rather a bridge to hold Minnesota together until the feds can take action. I am looking forward to serving in my new role as the as the incoming House Commerce Committee Chair to find more solutions for our mom and pop shops and workers struggling amid the pandemic.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn or at 651-296-5513. Your input drives my work for our Coon Rapids and Champlin families in the Minnesota House of Representatives.  

For additional updates from the Capitol and community, you are welcome to follow me on my official Facebook page.

Take care and stay well.

Sincerely,

Zack Stephenson
State Representative

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: December 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

It’s only Tuesday, but it’s already been a busy week. Yesterday, Minnesota received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bipartisan agreement on economic assistance for our small businesses and working families, and over the weekend I’m humbled to share that I was elected to be an Assistant Majority Leader by my DFL colleagues in the Minnesota House.

The COVID-19 Vaccine

Ahead of the vaccine’s arrival in our state, last week Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Keeping speed, equity, and safety in mind, the plan was made in partnership with the federal government to ensure we’re making the most of our initial limited supply.

The first to receive the vaccine in Minnesota will be health care workers and long-term care residents, who would then be followed by essential workers, seniors, and people with preexisting conditions that are more likely to become seriously ill with this virus. The arrival of the vaccine is incredibly good news, but we’re still a long way from it becoming available to all who want one. In the meantime, it’s important that we continue adhering to the public health guidelines that have kept our communities safe – social distancing, hand washing, wearing a mask, and getting tested when we feel sick. 

Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: December 15, 2020”

Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: December 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

House Passes New Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

Yesterday, we met for our 7th special session of the year to pass an assistance package that will help our most vulnerable neighbors, and local businesses stay afloat during this ongoing crisis. The DFL led the way in designing this package and had to fight hard for this aid, particularly the unemployment aid extension. True to our bipartisan nature we managed to find a path that works for both sides of the aisle while also being a victory for our entire state.Here are a few of the key pieces of the Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package:

  1. Extend Unemployment Benefits: Provides up to 13 additional weeks in unemployment benefits for MN workers who have exhausted all federal and state benefits. There are an estimated 100,000 MN workers who could qualify for this extension, showing how needed this extension is.
  2. Business Assistance Grants: Provides $216.5 million from the General Fund in grants to restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and many other entities directly affected by the executive orders and the pandemic. It is estimated that these grants will be able to assist over 6,000 businesses that have been hurt by Covid-19.
  3. Certain Fees Waived for Hospitality Industry: This is another straight-forward practical action we can take to help ease the financial burden our local businesses are facing. While this is a smaller portion of the total relief, it should go a long way towards helping these vulnerable businesses.
Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: December 15, 2020”