Friends and Neighbors,
Another week has come and gone, and small businesses continue to suffer as Minnesotans have been asked to remain at home until May 4th. Many of us in the Senate Majority are calling on the Governor to reassess his closures. While big box stores remain open, small businesses around the state are closed and many may never reopen. We are not blind to the need for social distancing protocols and other recommended health measures, but we must find middle ground for the health of our public.
The week of April 13th, a bill passed to allow restaurants to sell wine and beer with food take-out orders. Many restaurants have inventory that needs to be sold. It is a small step, but the hope is to help many of our local establishments.
Please continue reading for more highlights.
Affordable Insulin Bill
On April 14th, legislation passed to assist diabetics with the high cost of insulin through a safety net program for emergencies and a long-term assistance program.
As insulin prices increased it became clear that a change had to be made to protect those who cannot afford this life-sustaining medicine. This legislation is a great step in the right direction and was made possible by devoted advocates and legislators on behalf of Minnesotans across the state.
The legislation requires insulin manufacturers to provide a 30-day supply of insulin for free to individuals in urgent need but struggling to afford the life-saving drug. Additionally, patient assistance programs through drug companies, which have been questioned as too onerous and cumbersome with limited qualifications, must be made accessible and transparent with their application and approval process. An application for assistance is based on standardized requirements and must be approved or denied within ten days.
Critical Industry Updates
Over a week ago the Governor released a document that outlines critical industry definitions after he announced his plan to unilaterally extend the stay-at-home order. The pressure from many in the legislature resulted in the Governor reopening certain industries. It is not enough, but it is a start and the push continues. Here are the most recent exemption updates:
– Workers and attendees at skills training for the state’s Professional Peace
Officer Education (PPOE) providers, where such training cannot be given remotely and provided that social distancing and other mitigation strategies are employed
– Workers supporting gun ranges only when providing qualification
shooting or skills maintenance to licensed Minnesota peace officers, law enforcement officers, and federally sworn law enforcement officers assigned to work within the state of Minnesota, provided that social distancing and other mitigation strategies are employed
– Fishery labor includes bait harvesters
– Workers necessary for the operation of safe harbors and marinas to
provide refuge for boaters when conditions making boating on open water unsafe and operations related to
safety services such as fuel, emergency dockage and sanitary pump-out stations
– Workers providing boat transportation services
– Workers supporting ecommerce includes workers at traditional retail
establishments who are working only to take and fulfill online orders
– Workers who install and support the installation of docks, boat lifts and
other water related equipment and boat delivery
– Workers who construct, repair, and maintain decks and fences
– Workers supporting hotel portions of resorts are exempt; workers
supporting communal amenities at resorts are not exempt and such amenities should remain closed
We will keep pushing to reopen more industries that can operate safely!
For a full list, click here: https://mn.gov/…/critical-worker-definitions-ACC_tcm1045-42…
Open Up Minnesota Portal
Help us get Minnesotans back to work by sharing your ideas here. We put this portal together to gather input from business owners and workers to help get Minnesota operational as soon as possible. If you have plans to safely reopen your business or if you think certain industries could reopen and maintain best practices for public health, please let us know! We will share your ideas with the Governor and keep asking the Governor to let our economy get up and running again.
I pray you all are doing well and staying safe. Be assured that legislative work continues. Please feel free to contact my office at 651-296-5981 or sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Keep in Touch
Senator Bruce Anderson
3209 Minnesota Senate Building
95 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55155