Dear Neighbors,
The 2021 Legislative Session officially began on Tuesday when I joined 133 other state representatives at a swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol in St. Paul.
I look forward to serving our district in the legislature for another two years. As we prepare to pass a new, two-year state budget, I will continue to be an advocate for taxpayers and our rural way of life. Now, more than ever, we must stand against the excesses of big government and instead return to founding principles like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We also must end Governor Walz’s peacetime emergency powers and restore the legislature as a co-equal branch of government—making sure that Minnesotans voices are represented again with the legislature on equal footing with Walz.
Most of my work during the first months of session will take place in House committees. For the 2021-2022 legislative biennium, I have been appointed to serve on the following committees:
- Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
- Health Finance and Policy
- Behavioral Health Policy Division
Please contact me if you have any legislative questions, concerns, or ideas. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4929 or 701-361-1909. You can also email me at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Governor Turns Back Dials
Governor Walz announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses and events on Wednesday. These will take effect late Sunday evening. Here is a summary of the changes that were announced:
- Restaurants are allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity with a max of 150. Groups can include no more than six people, and tables must be spaced six feet apart. Bar service is allowed to resume to customers in groups of two. Restrictions on dining between 10PM and 4AM remain in place.
- Gyms remain capped at 25 percent, maximum capacity raised to 150, and classes can be increased to 25 people with distancing.
- Outdoor events and entertainment capacity remains at 25 percent with the maximum capacity raised to 250.
- Indoor entertainment and events (bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.) may open at 25 percent with a cap of 150.
- Youth and adult sports games may resume January 14 with spectators subject to the same indoor entertainment restrictions.
- Pools are open at 25% capacity.
- Wedding receptions and other "private parties" may resume with limits. If food and drink is served there is a limit of two households or 10 people indoors and 3 households/15 people outdoors. If there is no food/drunk, they are covered by the event/entertainment restrictions.
- Churches remain open at 50% but the overall capacity limit has been lifted so there is no maximum.
This is a step in the right direction and will help the thousands of businesses across Minnesota that have suffered because of the governor’s harmful shutdowns. Ultimately, we need to let these businesses safely reopen.
Staying in Touch
That’s all for this week’s update. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have. I can be reached by phone at either 651-296-4929 or 701-361-1909. I can also be reached via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Have a good day,
Jeff
8.5.5