ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, is among more than 50 Republican lawmakers urging Gov. Tim Walz and state agencies to improve their relations with businesses amid efforts to combat COVID-19.
Anderson and fellow House Republicans filed the request through a letter to Walz on Monday. It is in response to a letter the Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Labor and Industry issued last week informing hospitality industry leaders of stepped-up state compliance checks that could result in fines, forced closure loss of liquor license, workplace investigations, and more.
“The last thing we need in Minnesota is an adversarial relationship between hard-working hospitality folks and our government,” Anderson said. “Our bars and restaurants are operating under very difficult circumstances and are doing the best they can to conform with various restrictions. I can’t imagine what some of our workers are dealing with trying to put in a full shift and comply with all the mandates that have been issued. Some of those requirements don’t seem healthy, either. Let’s work together and look for ways to come out of this pandemic safely, with the health of both our citizens and businesses in place.”
According to estimates from Hospitality Minnesota, just 2.3% of total state cases have been traced back to restaurants and bars, and there have been just over two dozen restaurants specifically identified as sources of outbreaks.
Walz previously has stated that enforcement of state mandates and regulations were to be education in nature rather than punitive. The letter urges Walz to “reassess the tone and approach your agencies are taking” with restaurants and bars, and urges state agencies to be partners rather than adversaries in efforts to combat COVID-19.
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