Dear Lakeville Community,
First, I hope you and your family are well. We’re about a week into this stay at home order and we have a few long weeks ahead. Please take care of yourself both physically and mentally.
Lakeville is made of strong, hardworking and smart people, but we are not immune from this virus or the challenges that staying in our homes bring. I have faith that we will come back with a new appreciation of families and our community, but please check-in on each other and reach out if you need help. Dakota County has a good resource hotline at 952-891-7834.
Thank You!
As we head into the peak of this mess, I want to take a moment to thank our brave and amazing healthcare providers, first responders, and everyone that is working so hard to keep Minnesota healthy.
I recently took part in the first Lakeville Citizens Police Academy where I was able to get a first-hand look at the amazing work of our Police and Public Safety officials. Thanks for all you do and for the professional manner in which you serve and protect us!
House Approves Emergency Legislation
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed a package of provisions that are meant to help Minnesotans deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
This bill helps every Minnesotan in some way and provides assistance in particular to small businesses and their employees, childcare providers, farmers, veterans, educators, and many others. If you would like to see everything that is included in the bill, you can see it here.
Many legislators worked around the clock for several days to find language that most could agree to. I am proud of the bipartisan work we did, and the overwhelmingly bipartisan support it earned in the final vote.
It was fulfilling to see legislators from both sides of the aisle come together and support this effort. There is still more that we will need to do to address this economic and health crisis, but I am confident that this bill will help the state better respond to the needs of Minnesotans right now.
In the days leading up to last Thursday’s session, I worked in a key role as a lead negotiator with House Democrats and the Governor’s office as we worked out policy details of the emergency legislative package.
I was unable to be in St. Paul for last Thursday’s vote due to being in contact, about three weeks ago, with an individual that had a presumptive case of COVID-19.
While my wife, daughters and I feel great and are not exhibiting any symptoms, staying home was the best decision to ensure the safety of our staff and my colleagues in the legislature.
This is a good reminder to all, that if you aren’t feeling well, pay attention and quarantine yourself and contact your medical provider. Working hard to protect yourself, your neighbors and coworkers is one way we can all do our part to help end this crisis sooner.
Walz Issues “Stay at Home” Order
As you know, last week, Governor Walz issued a “Stay at Home” order and extended the current closures for bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations under previous executive orders until at least May 1.
While controversial, this mitigation is seeming to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keeping Minnesotans safer.
The “Stay at Home” order seeks to limit movement outside homes beyond essential trips for two weeks. It is effective now and will last until Friday, April 10.
I know a lot of you have questions about how this order impacts your daily lives or your businesses. I hope the information and resources below can answer some of your questions.
The Governor’s order encourages Minnesotans to leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, while also practicing social distancing:
- Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies.
- Outdoor activities, such as walking pets, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing.
- Necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out.
- Essential and interstate travel, such as returning to home from outside the state.
- Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household.
- Displacement, such as moving between emergency or homeless shelters if you are without a home.
- Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home has been unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or essential operations reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Stay at Home order.
For businesses, folks should visit https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/ for additional guidance. There is also a state email address that businesses can contact if they have questions and to petition the administration for an exemption from closure: criticalsectors@state.mn.us
If your business is currently considered non-essential and you would like to request an exemption from the "Stay at Home" order, please submit a request to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development here.
Not the New Normal
The current stay at home order and business closures are challenging, but they are temporary. We need to be patient as we protect our own health and that of our neighbors. The sooner we get through this, the stronger our economy will return. Here is a link to the state’s Unemployment Insurance website if you are in need of benefits: https://www.uimn.org/
As the virus impacts our daily lives and businesses, we are also making changes to how the Minnesota Legislature functions. Many of us have concerns about limited transparency, ceding legislative power to the executive branch, and what sort of impact a public health crisis could have on individual liberties and freedoms. These concerns are legitimate. I will remain vigilant and continue to guard against these concerns and be a voice for preserving the rights we all have as Minnesotans and Americans.
These are unique times with temporary solutions. We will work to protect your freedoms with the continuity of daily life and state operations. Maintaining the legislature’s position as a co-equal branch of government that upholds the people’s pursuit of life and liberty is imperative.
It has always been the strength of individual innovation and the drive of free enterprise that has elevated our country to enjoy the highest standard of living. The private sector will come through again if we let it. Thank you to all the business owners, managers and workers who’s tenacity and grit lift up our families and community. I know it’s not easy.
Questions
My staff and I remain available as a guide and resource to state government. When emailing, please remember to include your address so we can prioritize your concerns. I often prefer to call you if the concern is more involved, so add a phone number also if you wish. The amount of contacts we receive daily has increased dramatically and I want to prioritize your concerns as fast as we can. Sorry to others from outside the Lakeville district.
Please be kind and good to each other as we remember the promise of and celebrate Holy Week.
Jon Koznick
Assistant Minority Leader
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A