(ST. PAUL, MN) –  Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R East Gull Lake) released the following statement in response to Gov. Walz’s recommendations for the next phase of re-opening amid the coronavirus pandemic:

“Throughout history, the church has gathered in times of distress, anxiety, war, and pandemic. I see no reason why churches are any more dangerous a place for coronavirus transmission than Walmart or a mall. I am dumbfounded why the Governor would treat churches this way and hope the federal courts will intervene. I am growing more concerned there is a targeted effort to keep churches closed and keep people away from their house of worship for no good reason.  

“We have flattened the curve and we have prepared our hospitals and clinics with PPE and ventilators. That was the purpose of the stay at home order- to give us time to prepare. But now these executive orders and dials are making less sense than ever. They are moving too slow to save the local and independent businesses we need to revive our economy. We have to allow people to get back to their lives. The governor should be doing more to keep vulnerable populations and the elderly safe with restrictions and testing. But if you can get a haircut, shop at a mall, or eat at a restaurant, you should be able to go to church.”