STATEMENT FROM REP. ROBBINS ON WALZ ANNOUNCEMENT
MAPLE GROVE — State Representative Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Walz's announcement lifting the state's Stay at Home order effective Monday, and laying out plans to allow the reopening of restaurants, churches, and other businesses in the coming weeks.
"I am happy that Governor Walz has listened to thousands of Minnesotans who have called, emailed, and signed petitions asking to end the forced closure of Minnesota businesses. Minnesota small businesses want to protect the safety of their employees, their customers and our communities, and have developed thoughtful, innovative plans to re-open safely. While this is good start, the reality is that if small retailers can only open at 50% capacity, many of them will not make it. The 50% rule means the Governor is continuing to pick winners and losers – big box stores don't have similar restrictions and small businesses, who have already been closed for 8 weeks, will still be unable to really compete."
“In addition, many restaurants, salons, and other businesses that have to wait until June 1st to re-open need much more clarity on what the Governor's Executive Order means. The order states the Department of Labor & Industry will 'develop a phased plan to achieve the limited and safe reopening of bars, restaurants and other places of public accommodation.' Will they also have to follow the 50% rule? They need to know how much food to order, how many employees to call back and they have to be able to evaluate if the new conditions make it feasible to reopen. I hope the Governor provides much more clarity on this as soon as possible. Businesses and their employees must have certainty."
"Just yesterday, every single House Republican voted in favor to safely reopen following CDC and MDH guidelines and work with the Governor, but it was blocked by the Democrat majority. I will continue to stand up for our small businesses, fight against government picking winners and losers, and support safely re-opening our businesses, churches, and other activities like summer youth sports."
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