Dear Neighbors,
Each week, I have the honor of talking with hundreds of Shakopee residents and business owners. Many of your concerns have been around unemployment and small business. Many have been around the safety of our friends, family, and neighbors. I greatly value each of your thoughts and feedback.
Governor Walz announced new guidelines on Wednesday for re-opening our society and economy. As of June 1, 2020, the new guidelines for #StaySafeMN allow for the following:
- Restaurants and Bars
- No indoor service
- Outdoor service capped at no more than 50 people
- Salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors
- 25% capacity of fire code
- Gyms and fitness centers
- No openings until further notice
- Campgrounds
- Open for socially-distanced sites
- Youth Sports
- Practice adhering to MDH guidelines
- No games
I have been incredibly proud of Governor Walz’s work throughout this crisis. However, I hope these new guidelines can go farther to meet Shakopee's needs at this time. We are at a tipping point, and it is important we do everything we can to save our small businesses.
Today, I have been in direct communication with the Governor’s office requesting that Governor Walz amends his June 1, 2020 announcement to allow indoor restaurant service and increased salon and barbershop capacity. These changes are critical to the success of our Shakopee small businesses.
In addition, the Legislature also must help Shakopee’s small businesses by passing additional financial assistance. We were unable to accomplish this at the end of session. We must find a solution during the expected June special session to help these small businesses any way we can.
Whether it is under the governor's guidelines or anything else, it is critical that we all continue to follow preventative measures. There are a lot of ways we can reopen this economy, but all of them would fail and force us to restrict our economy further if we don't take personal steps to slow the spread of the disease.
For more information on guidance for reopening can be found below:
I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished with Governor Walz, from protecting Minnesota workers to local projects for Canterbury Park and ValleyFair. Together, we will make it through this crisis and continue working together for Shakopee and Minnesota.
Post-Session Town Hall
- Virtual town hall set for Thursday, May 28th, at 7 pm. Join me on Zoom as well as on Facebook as we discuss the end of session and what remains to be done moving forward.
Helpful Information
- It is Mental Health Awareness Month. There are many in our community who struggle with various mental health issues; if you or someone you know needs help, please visit this website for resources in Scott County. Additionally, if you or a loved one you know is in a mental health crisis, please refer to these numbers for immediate help, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM call 952-496-8481 for crisis appointment during business hours. 4:30 PM to 8:00 AM call 952-818-3702 for Scott County Crisis Response mobile services. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day.
Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn
Eric Petersen, Legislative Assistant | Eric.Petersen@house.mn