Skip to content

ADVERTISE WITH US | EMAIL: KROX@RRV.NET

GOVERNOR WALZ OUTLINES COVID-19 ECONOMIC RELIEF PACKAGE, READY TO CALL SPECIAL SESSION

Today Governor Tim Walz announced a COVID-19 economic relief package to keep businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by and help Minnesota families keep food on the table. Governor Walz will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to move forward with this much-needed proposal, integrate additional proposals, and call a special session when an agreement is final.

“Our small businesses and the Minnesotans whose livelihoods depend on them are bearing a huge weight for the good of their entire community. As cases skyrocket and hospital capacity is pushed to the brink, our small businesses should not have to bear the financial consequences alone. We’re in this together,” said Governor Walz. “I am committed to turning over every stone to find funding that will help make sure our businesses stay afloat, our workers are supported, and our families can put food on the table.”

 “In the restaurant industry, we are all too familiar with 90-hour workweeks,” said Mike Runyon, co-owner of The Nook in Saint Paul. “We know what it’s like to wake up and head into work feeling like you just went to bed two minutes ago. And we’re not out here saving lives! We understand the urgent need to support our health care workers and protect hospital capacity right now. But as we know, the hospitality industry is drowning. There’s no stimulus money or extra unemployment for our staff. We are in desperate need for our governments to step in and help during these restrictions.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Walz has invested $100 million to support more than 8,000 Minnesota businesses. The state has also given nearly $840 million in support to local governments, much of which has been distributed to small businesses across the state. Last week, the Governor wrote a letter urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to act quickly to provide assistance for workers, families, businesses, and states. “We know the vast majority of our small businesses are doing the right thing,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “And these restrictions are hard. But they are necessary to save lives. That’s why we need to come together to provide aid that will support Minnesotans and our small businesses as we weather this surge in cases and hospitalizations.”

 The COVID-19 relief package includes critical measures to:

  • Keep Small Businesses Afloat
    • Provide direct aid to businesses through the Business Assistance Program
    • Waive State and regulatory fees for bars, restaurants, event centers, craft breweries, and more
    • Establish eviction moratorium so small businesses can stay in their locations
  • Support Workers Struggling to Get By
    • Extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks, helping as many as 100,000 workers whose benefits currently end next month
    • Provide a $500 one-time emergency payment to struggling families
  • Help Minnesota Families Put Food on the Table
    • Establish one-time grant to restaurants to provide food for healthcare workers, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities
    • Provide a tax credit for businesses that donate food that would otherwise spoil or be thrown away 

The Governor will continue to work with agencies, stakeholders, and legislators on additional measures to help Minnesotans and our economy.

“COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to Minnesotans and businesses, and we need to help them now,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. “Today’s package, crafted in response to requests from industry leaders and others, provides solid support to help businesses through this time and support Minnesota workers affected by the pandemic.” 

WALZ PREPARED TO CALL SPECIAL ELECTION FOR COVID-19 RELIEF, SENDS LETTER TO US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

In a letter to state legislative leaders this week, Governor Tim Walz emphasized the need for immediate action to provide relief to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated his eagerness to partner with legislators on both sides of the aisle to get it done and said he stands ready to call a special session as soon as the legislature agrees on a package to provide this much-needed relief.

“As cases skyrocket and hospital capacity is pushed to the brink, the COVID-19 pandemic demands immediate action to save lives. Necessary public health measures bring hardship for all Minnesotans—but this hardship falls disproportionately hard on our small businesses and workers,” Governor Walz wrote. 

“This is not fair,” Governor Walz continued. “The pandemic is not fair, and it is our job as leaders to make it more just. Small businesses across our state are in dire need of relief. Many workers are struggling to make ends meet. As we take action to protect the health of our neighbors, we must also take action to support the people who are sacrificing so much.”

“That’s why I directed my team to begin work on a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package for our small businesses and communities,” Governor Walz said later in the letter. “We have laid out the principles around which a package should be structured. I know legislators on both sides of the aisle have engaged on this issue and been working tirelessly to find common ground, and I will continue working with you to get a deal done.”

“Let’s come together to ensure our businesses stay afloat, our workers are supported, and our families can put food on the table,” Governor Walz concluded. “I will call a special session as soon as the legislature agrees on a package to provide this much-needed relief.

To support small businesses that are struggling as they do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19, Governor Walz recently announced an additional $10 million in Small Business Relief Grants. This funding will support an additional 1,000 businesses that have applied for the grant program. It supplements hundreds of millions of dollars in small business support that Minnesota has allocated since the beginning of the pandemic. Minnesotans with questions about unemployment insurance are encouraged to visit uimn.org.

Governor Tim Walz

 

Share:
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,