Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My name is Spencer Igo and I am proud to serve as your next state representative. I am a longtime resident of Grand Rapids and the Northland and am looking forward to getting to work for you, your family, and our community.
Before I give you an update on our first week in St. Paul, I would like to briefly thank my predecessor, Sandy Layman. Sandy was an outstanding public servant that consistently delivered results for the Northland and served with dignity and honor. I consider Sandy a friend and am grateful for her support. I wish her nothing but the best as she steps away from public service.
The 2021 legislative session officially began on Tuesday as I joined 133 other state representatives in taking the oath of office.
I am humbled by the trust and responsibility our community has placed in me to represent the Northland in the state legislature. With the state’s economy improving after the darkest days of the pandemic, I believe the best is yet to come and that 2021 will be a year of tremendous growth.
I am committed to working tirelessly to bring Minnesota’s economy roaring back by safely reopening Minnesota businesses so we can return jobs and repair the damage from harmful, one-size-fits-all shutdowns.
Most of my work during the first months of session will take place in House committees. For the 2021-2022 legislative biennium, I have been appointed to serve on the following committees:
- Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
- Redistricting
- Climate and Energy Finance and Policy
The Northland is blessed with rich natural resources and I look forward to serving on committees that give me the opportunity to have a direct impact on environmental policy. As legislators we must strike a balance that enriches our God-given natural resources, but also provides a check on burdensome rules and job-killing regulations from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Governor Loosens Business Restrictions
On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses and events. While Wednesday’s announcement is good news for small businesses around the state that have been harmed by Walz’s shutdowns, I remain concerned about the Governor’s ongoing peacetime emergency powers.
I am committed to working hard to end the Governor’s emergency powers and restore the legislature as a constitutional co-equal branch of government—making sure that Minnesotans voices are represented again with the legislature back on equal footing with the Governor.
Here is a summary of the changes announced Wednesday that will go into effect late Sunday evening:
- Restaurants can reopen at 50 percent capacity with a max of 150. Groups can include no more than six people, and tables must be spaced six feet apart. Bar service can resume with customers in groups of two. Restrictions on dining between 10PM and 4AM remain in place.
- Gyms remain capped at 25 percent, maximum capacity raised to 150, and classes can be increased to 25 people with distancing.
- Outdoor events and entertainment capacity remain at 25 percent with the maximum capacity raised to 250.
- Indoor entertainment and events (bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.) may open at 25 percent with a cap of 150.
- Youth and adult sports games may resume January 14 with spectators subject to the same indoor entertainment restrictions.
- Pools are open at 25% capacity.
- Wedding receptions and other "private parties" may resume with limits. If food and drink is served there is a limit of two households or 10 people indoors and 3 households/15 people outdoors. If there is no food/drunk, they are covered by the event/entertainment restrictions.
- Churches remain open at 50% but the overall capacity limit has been lifted so there is no maximum.
Staying in Touch
As your representative, it is my duty to listen to your thoughts, questions, and concerns regarding state government. Please do not hesitate to contact me, it would be great to chat. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4936 or via email at rep.spencer.igo@house.mn.
Have a great day,
Spencer