Dear Neighbors,
All of us are angry and saddened by the murder of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, and we are seeking answers about how we will move forward as a state from this point in history.
The peaceful demonstrations, spontaneous clean ups, food drives, fundraising campaigns, and works of art show exactly who we are as a community: neighbors caring for neighbors. We care about one another and we are going to help each other rebuild, and we’ll move forward together to create real systemic change.
The Legislature will convene for a Special Session starting on June 12th. Passing racial justice and police accountability legislation is a top priority of the Minnesota House of Representatives. This work has been led by our People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) legislators and community members.
We are committed to reforms that hold police officers accountable for their actions, move us towards a community-centered approach to public safety, and ultimately bring forth justice for everyone — black, brown, asian, white, and indigenous.
Legislation under consideration includes the following:
- Reform the investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions
- Increase police accountability and transparency
- Raise standards of conduct and support officer excellence
- Partner officers with the communities they serve
- Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety
We must also remember that all of this is happening in the middle of a global pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Health is asking all Minnesotans who participated in protests, vigils, or neighborhood events to get tested. If you start to feel sick, get tested right away. If you do not feel sick, MDH recommends you go in for a COVID-19 test 5-7 days after the event. If the test is negative and you are worried you might have been exposed, get another test 12-14 days after the event, even if you do not feel sick. You can learn more here.
Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding holds hearing on COVID-19’s impact on workers and businesses
Last Friday, the Minnesota House Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding held a hearing on COVID-19’s impact on Minnesota workers and businesses.
First, our state and the nation were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of that, businesses have experienced significant property damage and loss following the brutal murder of George Floyd. These events have caused massive economic hardships for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.
Legislators worked with the Governor’s office and DEED to provide some COVID-19 assistance in March, but much more is needed. Minnesotans are desperate for help. The Legislature has an opportunity to partner with Governor Walz to rapidly deliver results in the special session. While we will need more time to assess the damage in the Twin Cities and to craft a fair, comprehensive relief package, we can and should move on COVID-related relief right away.
During the hearing, Steve Grove, Commissioner of DEED, presented to committee members on the steps the federal and state government have taken to date to help workers and businesses, as well as next steps under consideration.
DEED has managed a Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program established by executive order and funded through the Legislature. The original $30 million in funding is nearly exhausted. The House passed legislation appropriating additional funding during the regular session. Discussions are ongoing for legislation during the special session.
Materials from the committee can be found here. Video of the hearing will be available here.
New guidance to gradually re-open indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues
Last Friday, Governor Walz announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Customers and employees will be either strongly recommended or required to wear masks and will be required to adhere to appropriate social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Limited re-opening of dine-in restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues can begin on Wednesday, June 10. Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. All critical businesses are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29, and the Department of Health (MDH), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will publish industry guidance by June 15.
Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:
- Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
- Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
- Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
- Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
- Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
- Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
- Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
- Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.
Since the start of Minnesota’s COVID-19 peacetime emergency, the State of Minnesota has prepared for a gradual re-opening by working with the health care sector to expand health care capacity and procure ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.
More information can be found at the state’s Stay Safe MN website.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page and following the Minnesota House DFL on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman