Friends and neighbors,

Since my February visit to the Northwest Angle (an area that relies heavily on tourism and has been unreachable by road because Canada closed its border to visitors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic) the 20-mile ice road that was a lifeline to the businesses and residents of the Northwest Angle has met its inevitable end as spring arrived.

These home-and-business owners may not be able to survive another summer if we can’t get the border open soon. In the two months since I was there, letters from our State Legislature have been written to President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau imploring them to get the border opened up.

Additionally, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and Congressman Pete Stauber hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday, April 6, in International Falls with Canadian Members of Parliament Marcus Powlowski and Dan Mazier; who attended the meeting via Zoom. While our two US Representatives offered practical solutions (e.g. escort vehicles, GPS tracking of phones, etc.,) that would allow the NW Angle residents to use the main road to get to and from their homes, the Canadians would not budge.

Since our Canadian neighbors are dragging their feet, this would be a very good time for Governor Walz to honor his “One Minnesota” theme. He needs to appropriate COVID Relief Funds from the American Rescue Plan monies that Minnesota is receiving to the affected residents/business owners that live year-round in the NW Angle. These residents and businesses are isolated from mainland Minnesota due to international politics and their customers cannot get to them.

My bill, SF 1347 would create a forgivable loan program and establish appropriations for remote recreational businesses. $5,000,000 would be appropriated from the federal American Rescue Plan fund and go to the remote recreational businesses as forgivable loans.

Rioting Returns
Rioting and unrest again taking place in the Twin Cities. This time an accidental taking of a life in Brooklyn Center this past Sunday ignites the action. We need to support our Law Enforcement personnel now more than ever. Our societal problems have made their job extremely hard. We must get back to where people respect one another again. We cannot legislate respect, but leadership can at least present a good example. Unfortunately, our Governor and the Mayors of Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center have failed in every way when managing a crisis. Leadership has consequences and we are seeing the results of bad decision making and using a rhetoric that incites violence.

The Chauvin trial goes to the jury on Monday, and we all hope that we do not see the major rioting and looting when the verdict is presented like we saw last May and June. Law Enforcement and the National Guard are on site to protect people and property. Now our political leaders need to let them do their job. 

LEGISLATIVE RECAP

PUBLIC SAFETY
This week the Minnesota Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety budget bill. It prioritizes the funding of programs for domestic abuse shelters, crime victim services, emergency communications and 911 services.

• A major advancement included in the bill will close the “intoxication loophole” brought to light by a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a sexual assault conviction because the victim was voluntarily inebriated
• Senate Republicans are committed to keeping Minnesotans safe and fully funding our public safety institution. This bill provides justice to victims and protects Minnesotans. I understand that Minnesota is in the spotlight. Last summer we passed several reforms to police accountability. It’s vitally important we keep the budget process moving forward with this bill

Senate Republicans are committed to ensuring Minnesota’s constitutionally required public safety responsibilities are met through a robust Judiciary budget.

EVICTION OFF-RAMP
On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate File 1470. The legislation would create an orderly process for housing providers to handle residents who are deficient in their rent and restores basic property rights to housing providers whose renters meet minimum income thresholds. Governor Walz’s orders banning evictions have unfairly required landlords of properties to carry these additional financial burdens.

• This legislation states that 30 days after the date of enactment, non-renewal of leases is permitted for those with outstanding rent but who are ineligible for rental assistance through the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program
• Nearly $400 million is available in statewide rental assistance from the federal government and is designated to help with rent payments and utilities for renter households that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and can demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability
• Eligible renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020 (April 1 rent) and receive up to 15 months of assistance

This bill would also prevent the governor from issuing any order that prohibits or delays evictions for more than 30 days unless an extension to the order is approved by both bodies of the legislature. If the legislature does not agree to an extension, the governor is prohibited from issuing a new order, delaying or prohibiting evictions.

Fun Facts:
April 16 – National Librarian Day
April 17 – Husband Appreciation Day
April 17 – The Ford Mustang was introduced with a base price of $2,368
April 19 – National Patriots Day (commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord on 4/19/1775 – celebration and recognition of the American Revolution and the patriots who fought to gain freedom from British rule – the war ended exactly 8 years after on 4/18/1783)

2nd Friendly Reminder: Tax Day 2021 was PUSHED BACK from April 15 to May 17 this year

That’s all for this week’s update. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-9651 or by email at sen.paul.utke@senate.mn

Have a great week!
Paul Utke