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Dear Granite City Neighbors,
It’s been an incredibly busy week - and it’s only Wednesday. I want to start by thanking everyone that came to our emergency town hall on economic assistance for those impacted by COVID-19. The response we received from our business community and working families was instrumental in crafting the final bill that we passed on Monday. Monday also saw the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines arriving in our state, and over the weekend I’m incredibly proud to say that my colleagues in the DFL House chose me to serve as an Assistant Majority Leader for the upcoming legislative session.
Today, we received an update on regulations for businesses and gatherings as our state continues to grapple with a decreasing - but still dangerous - amount of COVID cases. You can read about this and more in today’s update.
Economic Assistance for Working Families and Small Businesses
Monday night, after weeks of negotiations, the Minnesota Legislature finally passed a bipartisan package of legislation aimed at providing a lifeline to our state’s small businesses and working families.
This isn’t a perfect, fix-all solution, but it does provide a lifeline for those struggling to get by until federal relief can arrive. The bill includes a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance and direct financial support for businesses. The Department of Revenue estimates that 5,800 small businesses will receive $82-88 million beginning before the end of the year. Another $114.5 million will be distributed to counties to provide grants to impacted businesses, and movie theaters and convention centers will receive $14 million. In this bill, Stearns County would receive just over $3.16 million for small business grants, and Benton and Sherburne Counties would receive $256 thousand and $1.9 million, respectively.
More information on what’s in the bill can be found here, and the specifics on eligible businesses, program requirements, and payment amounts here.
Updated Rules for Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, and Other Venues
Today, Governor Walz provided an update on the measures bars, restaurants, gyms, and other venues are adhering to, which start on December 19:
- Bars, restaurants, and breweries: Will remain closed for indoor dining, but they may open for outdoor service at 50 percent capacity or up to 100 people.
- Gyms and fitness studios: May open for individual exercise at 25 percent capacity, or 100 people maximum,.
- Youth and adult sports: Practices can resume January 4.
- Outdoor entertainment venues: Open at 25 percent capacity, up to 100 people maximum
- Social Gatherings: Minnesotans may gather inside with one other household up to 10 people. If outside, social gatherings may include up to two additional households (three total) with a maximum of 15 people. Masking and social distancing is strongly encouraged.
You can find information on these updates and more at StaySafe.MN.
The First Round of COVID Vaccines
Last week, before the vaccine's arrival in our state, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Keeping speed, equity, and safety in mind - the plan was made in partnership with the federal government to ensure we’re making the most of the limited supply we’ll have for now.
The first to receive the vaccine in Minnesota will be health care workers and long-term care residents, followed by essential workers, seniors, and people with preexisting conditions that are more likely to become seriously ill with this virus. While the arrival of the vaccine is incredibly good news, we’re still a long way from it becoming available to all who want one. In the meantime, it’s important that we continue adhering to the public health guidelines that have kept our communities safe - social distancing, hand washing, wearing a mask, and getting tested when we feel sick.
Stay Connected
The 2021 Legislative Session begins on January 5, and you can stay up to date on our work by subscribing to these legislative updates here (and be sure to share with others who may be interested), and “liking” my official Facebook page.
We have challenging times ahead, but I remain confident that there’s no issue we cannot face when we do so together. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at (651) 296-6612, or email me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Dan Wolgamott
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