Dear Neighbor,
Here are some brief legislative notes as we head into the Independence Day holiday this week:
Deadline to apply for small biz grants is Thursday
The deadline for small businesses to apply for COVID-19 relief grants is 5 p.m. Thursday. This program will make available $10,000 grants to Minnesota owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees may be eligible. A total of $60.3 million is available for grant awards which will be selected through a computer-generated, randomized selection process. Click here for more.
New laws take effect
A handful of new laws and parts of others passed during this year's regular legislative session will take effect July 1, including tractor safety and part of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. This information can be accessed here. Summaries of all laws passed by the 2020 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services here.
Another special session?
As of yet, there has been no official word from the governor regarding a potential special session that could take place in the next couple of weeks. There is a strong likelihood he will do so, in part, to extend his emergency powers yet again since his latest 30-day extension ends July 12. I again, for the record, would rather see the emergency declaration left to expire so we can restore the balance of power at the Capitol and return to our representative system of government.
A capital investment bill to fund projects around the state also could be part of the agenda for a July special session. As the House minority lead on bonding, I have been very involved in preparing a bipartisan package that could be up for consideration if/when another special session takes place. Look for more details as things take shape.
Until next time, have a good holiday weekend as we celebrate our nation’s Declaration of Independence. Please be safe, especially in the high temps that are in the forecast. Keep an eye on those who may be vulnerable in the heat, including pets.
Sincerely,
Dean