Dear Neighbor,
Greetings as we make our way through another week of challenges related to COVID-19.
Before sharing some of the latest news on that subject, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to everyone who has been working double time to help keep our citizens healthy and keep our state moving. From health care workers to our law enforcement, truckers, grocers, the list goes on. Also, thank you to all the people who have taken extra steps in their daily life to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
As for this week’s update, here are several jottings I would like to pass along:
Business program guide
I continue receiving questions from small-business owners who need help and advice during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here is a guide from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development with good information about what’s available at the state and federal levels.
Unemployment insurance
This outbreak is coming with great consequences for workers and business owners. If you have issues with your unemployment insurance application, or questions about whether your business is eligible for a program, please contact DEED using the resources available on their website for the fastest and most accurate answers. You can visit this website to learn more about the Unemployment Insurance Program. For questions about whether you qualify for UI, how to apply and the process, please visit here. In addition, programs passed by the federal government may not yet be available — please keep checking the federal program websites for updates.
Census
Wednesday was Census Day and I encourage you to complete the Census soon, if you haven’t already done so.
You can respond online now at www.my2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020. The Census Bureau also will mail a paper questionnaire to households in mid-April that have not responded online or by phone.
Your responses matter and the data collected will help determine where billions in federal funds are spent and how our representation in government is allocated. For example, the results will inform how federal dollars are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
Visit these links for more information:
Gun stores are open
Gun control groups have been using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to close gun stores and prevent citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights and protecting their families. Fortunately, legislation House Republicans led to enactment in 2015 stipulates gun stores can remain open, and government is prohibited from seizing guns during a state of emergency.
Abortion letter
It is highly concerning that Gov. Tim Walz is allowing abortions to continue despite issuing Executive Order 20-09 to postpone all elective surgeries and procedures statewide as we fight COVID-19. This inconsistent application of executive orders needs to be corrected. I joined fellow House Republicans in sending a letter to the governor to address this issue. All we are asking is for the governor apply his executive order consistently. It is unacceptable for patients to be forced to delay procedures for cancer, for example, potentially causing added discomfort and declining health, while it’s all systems go over at the abortion clinics. We need to prioritize health care resources such as personal protective equipment for our doctors and nurses who are leading the fight against COVID-19.
Ag. Workers and COVID-19
Planting season soon will be upon us and, as a farmer myself, I am watching closely to see what impacts COVID-19 has on the agriculture industry. We have a relatively brief window to get our planting done and need to do our best to make sure our chain of various supplies and services are intact so we can keep doing our work to provide our nation with food. Here is a Preparing for sick agricultural workers and COVID-19 document from the Minnesota Department of Health. And, since farmers already were going through tough times before the COVID-19 outbreak, here is a link with information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture regarding resources for coping with farm and rural stress.
Look for more news soon and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Until then, please stay healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Paul