On Monday, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order closing all bars, restaurants, and other establishments for an indefinite period due to the coronavirus outbreak. In response, Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“Last night, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed $200 million in emergency funding to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities, making sure they have the critical supplies needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in Minnesota. The funds must be used for preventive measures and care related to the coronavirus outbreak; if the funds go unused, or if they are reimbursed by the federal government, the money will revert back to the general fund.

“The coronavirus outbreak is something we must take very seriously – but we also must be measured and responsible. Yesterday, Governor Walz issued an executive order mandating the closure of bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments, and an executive order allowing furloughed employees to receive state unemployment benefits. While I understand the need for unprecedented action in this public health emergency, I am deeply concerned by the governor taking unilateral action without consulting the legislature. I am also concerned about the equity of the unemployment benefits, which are available to workers, but not the businessowners operating with notoriously low margins. The governor’s order makes a violation a misdemeanor; I simply do not agree with making criminals out of small business owners and believe the governor overstepped his authority.

“The governor’s order puts these small businesses in an impossible position. These small businesses are the backbone of our economy – many with high overheads and low margins – and they rely on their ability to serve customers. These small businesses, and their many hourly wage earners, will undoubtedly suffer because of this order. I urge the governor to reconsider the financial impact of his order on small business owners that concurrently has the potential to make them criminals for simply trying to earn a living.”

Senator Scott Newman, of Hutchinson, represents McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.