Legislative Update- January 14, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Walz announced today that the Minnesota Department of Revenue has issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of bipartisan legislation passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the governor in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation also delivers direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties to set up local grant relief programs.

Direct payment requirements for businesses include:

• Location in Minnesota
• Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
• Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
• Experienced a 30% drop in year-over-year taxable sales for April-September periods
• Being categorized by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program as a restaurant, bar, gym, bowling center, or similar business

Plymouth businesses that did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but think they meet the program criteria can contact the department. An online inquiry process will be available beginning Tuesday, January 19, and will remain open through Friday, February 5. An additional round of payments will be made after that date for business that qualify.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution and Administration Update

Approximately 153,300 Minnesotans have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 31,113 in Hennepin County. As I’ve shared in my previous update, the vaccine is being administered in phases. Health care workers and long term care residents will be the first to receive it, followed by essential workers, those 65 or older, and those with underlying health conditions.

It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of the vaccines produced have been held back by the federal government. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that they would grant a request from Governor Walz and eight other governors to release millions of these critically-needed vaccines.

The state’s primary role is oversight and facilitation. The state helps the federal government know where in Minnesota to send vaccine and helps make sure vaccine providers in Minnesota – mostly private health care providers and pharmacies at this stage – administer it safely.

You can stay updated on the vaccine distribution process with Minnesota’s new Vaccine Data Dashboard, which is updated daily at 11:00 a.m.

COVID-19 Support

Yesterday, my House colleagues announced our first priorities for the 2021 legislative session. We introduced legislation to protect the economic security, health, and safety of Minnesotans during the pandemic to ensure that they can stay afloat now and thrive after it ends. Other priority bills would provide assistance to those who need it, strengthen worker protections, improve long-term care and services for those without shelter, and support students. You can read more nonpartisan coverage of our plan at the Minnesota House’s Public Information Service Session Daily publication here.

Virtual Town Hall Meeting Reminder

This is a friendly reminder to join Rep. Acomb, Senator Johnson Stewart and me for our virtual town hall meeting this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Here’s the information you’ll need to participate:

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/98163177895?pwd=dHc0UCtaSFlrNUJ3MS9FTVNkc0Y5QT09

Meeting ID: 981 6317 7895

Passcode: 733138

You can also join via telephone by calling 312-626-6799 and entering the Meeting ID and passcode when prompted.

I’m looking forward to seeing you “virtually” on Saturday!

Fire and Ice Winter Festival Update

Plymouth Parks and Recreation has reimagined the annual Fire & Ice Festival, which is one of my favorite community events. What was once a large one-day event celebrating winter, is now a winter-long celebration with a series of events and scavenger hunts taking place throughout January and February.

Even though it will look a bit different this year, it's still a great opportunity for families to have some fun, get some fresh air, and celebrate winter and our Plymouth community. Visit plymouthmn.gov/fireandice for a list of activities.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime with feedback, ideas, or input. I’m always happy to see how I can provide assistance. I can be reached at rep.ginny.klevorn@house.mn or 651-296-5511.

You are welcome to follow or ‘like’ my Facebook page for additional Capitol and Plymouth updates.

Thank you for the honor of serving you in the Minnesota House.

Sincerely,

Ginny Klevorn

State Representative