Dear Neighbor,
Getting a lot of questions about the timeline for how COVID-19 vaccinations will be administered across various segments of the population. This is a difficult subject to address, especially with a new, third vaccine in distribution that appears likely to significantly accelerate the process.
This link shows information from the state of MN COVID-19 site regarding who is currently eligible to get their vaccines and the estimated timeline for other groups. Again, this information is subject to change. You also can visit the Find My Vaccine website for additional information and/or to discover a vaccine site near you.
In other news, I am among those calling for prompt action to prevent businesses throughout Minnesota from being charged state taxes on forgivable emergency loans they received from the federal government. This is an issue with significant consequences for more than 102,000 Minnesota businesses that received these loans and it is important we resolve this issue soon.
The Tax Foundation reports Minnesota is the only state in the Upper Midwest that has yet to exempt forgiven Paycheck Protection Plan loans from state income taxes. These loans were offered as lifelines for businesses to keep employees on the payroll and meet other financial obligations amid COVID-19 restrictions.
The state should not be skimming off the top of these loans. Businesses have faced enough hardship in the last year and don’t need to be blindsided by the state collecting taxes emergency funding. With a $1.6 billion surplus projected, it is even more unnecessary for the state to claim these dollars.
The Minnesota Senate Tax Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that exempts PPP loans from state taxes. I urge the House to pick up the pace on this matter. We owe it to our businesses to lift this burden from them instead of making them wait and wonder. There seems to be bipartisan support to make this happen, so let’s get it done.
On a final note, a bill I have authored to help gas stations bring E-15 equipment on line received a productive hearing this week. This would be helpful for retailers throughout Minnesota if our state shifts toward this grade of gas. My bill remains in the mix for approval this session.
Until next time, have a good weekend and enjoy the March warm-up. Spring planting season isn’t far away!
Sincerely,
Paul