I hope this email finds you well. This week in our nation’s Capitol we witnessed shocking disrespect to our institutions. We must decide moving forward that dangerous rhetoric by elected officials will not be tolerated. We must find ways to work together and to understand those we may not necessarily agree with politically. Now is the time for common ground and unity.
Understandably lost in the news this week was the Governor’s decision to loosen restrictions on restaurants, bars, other businesses. I am proud to have helped work with many businesses from our community and the Governor’s Office to find a safe path forward.
Beginning Monday, January 11, new public health guidelines take effect, which loosen restrictions on important parts of daily life. This comes as tens of thousands of Minnesotans have received their first dose of the vaccine, COVID-19 cases are down, hospital bed use is declining, and kids are heading back to the classroom. Recognizing our progress – but understanding we need to remain cautious – the Governor is adjusting the dials and opening more activities and sectors of the economy.
I am eager to get back to the regular legislative session of 2021, which marks the beginning of the 92nd Legislature. It is also my honor to be sworn into my third term in the Minnesota Senate.
Minnesotans faced unprecedented disruption in 2020 with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Few of the years in the history of our state have presented as many challenges as 2020, and yet these challenges remain as we enter 2021. Despite this, we remain guided by our shared values and priorities.
I hope you were able to enjoy a relaxing holiday to close out 2020.
First and foremost, I’d like to share that Hennepin County is now accepting applications from small businesses who have been impacted economically by the pandemic as a part of the Minnesota Small Business Relief program. Please share with any Edina small businesses that were not included in the first round of relief grants.
Session 2021 Tool-Kit
The legislative session begins tomorrow and I’m ready to hit the ground running on a continued COVID-19 response and economic recovery for our state.
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.
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:
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.
Business AssistanceGrants: 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.
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.
Early this morning, Minnesota received its very first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. The shipments arrived today at 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.
I hope this finds you well and taking advantage of the mild start to December.
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
State Budget Forecast
Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced new economic projections that show Minnesota is well positioned to deliver immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. House Democrats and Republicans are working diligently together to craft a COVID-19 economic assistance package in response. I am hopeful we can find an agreement by December 14, which is when the next special session is slated to begin.
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced the November Economic Forecast, projecting a $641 million surplus for the current budget cycle, while a deficit of $1.273 billion is projected for the 2022-2023 biennium beginning July 1.
This economic projection shows that Minnesota is well positioned to provide immediate economic aid to workers and small businesses. There have been clear winners and losers of the Covid economy and it is our job at the Legislature to ensure that those who have been hardest hit are able to survive this ongoing crisis. We will continue to push for a new economic package that will help those Minnesotans and businesses that are hurting the most.
Minnesota Pledge to Defeat COVID-19
In Minnesota, we care for our families, front-line health care workers and small businesses. We recognize we all play a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. We commit to the following personal choices to help protect all of us and hope you will join in this commitment. Together, we can defeat COVID-19 and emerge stronger. We will:
Unfortunately, Covid is spreading at record levels throughout the country, including here in Minnesota where we have reached our capacity to manage the virus. Governor Walz has announced a number of new actions designed to reign in the virus.
Today, Governor Walz announced the following restrictions:
Restaurants will be take-out only for the next 4 weeks
Gyms and fitness centers will also close for 4 weeks
Theaters, movie theater, bowling alleys, museums, and arcades will all be closed
Wedding receptions, celebrations and private parties are put on hold as well
Limit all social gatherings with people outside of you household
All youth sports are on pause, there have been too many cases connected to sports for them to continue safely
It is also advised that you avoid interstate travel
Governor Walz announced today a dial back on social activities, in-person dining, sports, and fitness establishments for four weeks. I’m heartbroken with turbulence our state has had to endure. Today is another blow. The economics /public health devastation of this pandemic makes us all angry. Let’s attack this together. Please-wear a mask and do not have gatherings so we can save lives, jobs and our economy.
Minnesotans are being asked to hit pause on their social lives. Please avoid gatherings with people outside of your household.
Restaurants and bars are dialed back to delivery and takeout only. Gyms and fitness studios will also need to close. Entertainment venues, event spaces, and similar establishments are also closed. These are undoubtedly tough economic times for our small restaurants and bars and workers, and my heart goes out to them. I am working with our congressional Minnesota delegation to get additional federal aid for our workers and business owners as soon as possible. If you know a restaurant, bar or food service establishment manager / owner in Hennepin County please share this grant application with them ASAP – the funds will go quickly: https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief
Youth sports are on pause. As a parent, I recognize the positive health impacts and unique developmental and social benefits of sports. But the 192 outbreaks connected to sports are too concerning to let these activities continue during this dial back. Sports-related cases are nearly twice as prevalent among high school-age children as any other age group, and they increasingly play a key role in the need to move schools to distance learning.
