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| Friends and neighbors: Today we passed a bill off the Senate floor that would allow businesses to reopen and our economy to start back up. I’m pleased that this passed with a Tri-Partisan vote and I hope the House and the Governor soon follow suit. Below you can find the full press release with a link to the bill and to the YouTube channel of the floor session.If you find these newsletters informative, please encourage your friends and family to subscribe. As always, my door is open to you and I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me. Sincerely, Senator Paul GazelkaCall my office: 651-296-4875 Email me: sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn Senator Mathews’ bill to re-open Minnesota for business passes floor vote SF 1 puts Minnesotans in the driver’s seat to get our economy moving again (ST. PAUL, MN) – Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) is proud his bill, SF 1, passed the Senate Floor today. This bill gives businesses individual authority to create and implement safety preparedness plans so they can open safely. With each business having different needs and wants for their customers and staff, it is important to allow them the opportunity to do what works for them. “Over the past year, Minnesotans have adjusted to the changing priorities of Governor Walz while trying to keep their businesses afloat and keeping their staff and customers safe,” Mathews said Thursday. “After a year of adjusting to Walz’s demands, Minnesota businesses know what they need to do. Each business throughout the state is different, but they are responsible to know what works best for them. Giving businesses freedom to adjust to their needs as the pandemic changes is common sense. We can’t allow these businesses to shut their doors forever.” Watch: Senator Mathews discusses SF 1 “For almost a year, Minnesota businesses have been shut down or restricted through no fault of their own under this administration’s one size fits all policies,” Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R- Gull Lake) said. “During that span, they have been trying to be partners with the state, advocating their case for how they can safely reopen while still protecting consumers and employees. Unfortunately, for too long, those pleas have gone unanswered. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, Minnesota needs to solve how we’re going to move forward, which means trusting Minnesotans and businesses who share the same goal of safely opening up and recovering our economy.” Small businesses are a vital part of Minnesota’s economy and communities. They are run by our friends, family members, and neighbors, and they have been crushed over the past year. The losses in small businesses across the state will have irreparable damage to not only our economy, but the livelihood of many community members. SF 1 brings power back to where it belongs, to the people. Minnesota’s economy has suffered dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. The Minneapolis Federal Reserve reports that Employment is down 8% from the previous year and that Labor force participation down from pre-pandemic levels. Unemployment also remains above pre-pandemic levels at 4.4% in December of 2020 vs. 3.3% in December of 2019. The pandemic has been particularly severe for small businesses and Minnesota’s hospitality industry. The Star Tribune reported recently on the particularly deep hole that hospitality businesses are in, noting that many workers are living on the edge, unsure if their jobs will return or how they will make ends meet. The National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that 1 in 5 small business owners was at risk of closing due to economic conditions. Additionally, nearly 100 restaurants closed in the Twin Cities metro in 2020. More than half of restaurants report they face insolvency in the next few months if things don’t improve. |
