Friends and Neighbors,

The Governor has extended the stay-at-home order again. While this is still devastating for many, some businesses will be opening for curbside pickup. The Department of Employment and Economic Development said: “EO 20-48 allows workers in non-customer facing industrial and office-based businesses who cannot work from home to return to work. EO 20-48 further allows any customer-facing retail business that sells goods to engage in curbside or outside pick-up and delivery, as long as customers do not enter the business premises.”

For more information on the new Executive Order, click here: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/safework/

Economic Recovery Program

We have a long way to go to get our state running again, but I am thankful the Governor is beginning to listen to the people of Minnesota and safely reopen. With bipartisan support, the Minnesota Senate recently approved a major Republican-led Economic Recovery Act to help small businesses battling financial hardship caused by the coronavirus and the stay-home order. The $330 million bill emphasizes three elements that will benefit impacted businesses and their workers: liquidity to preserve cash flows, stability to give businesses some level of confidence moving forward, and recovery aid to help them push through the pandemic.

This bill supports those struggling to survive the economic impacts of this pandemic. These unforeseen circumstances make this recovery package more important than ever. To the business owners, the families, the farmers – this bill is for you as we fight together to reestablish the strength of our economy and our communities.

Small businesses struggling with cash flow due to the crisis will be able to keep more money on hand thanks to delayed tax payments for S-corporations, partnerships, and C-corporations; delayed installments of estimated tax payments; delayed accelerated sales tax payments, and delayed general statewide business property tax payments.

The bill provides full, retroactive conformity to Section 179 of the federal tax code, which will allow farmers and other small business owners to deduct large equipment purchases.

More families with children in school will be eligible for the K-12 tax credit, thanks to a higher qualifying income threshold.

Other provisions include:

• A fairer school equalization aid formula, so districts with low property wealth will get more revenue
• An elimination of sunset and continued funding for the Angel Investment Tax Credit
• Charitable gaming tax relief to keep more tax dollars in local communities
• Making federal Paycheck Protection Program loans non-taxable on Minnesota taxes
• A reduced tax rate for low-income qualifying low-income class 4D rental property

Federal and state governments have already authorized extensions of income tax payments, sales and use tax payments, MinnesotaCare and Provider tax payments, and occupation taxes paid by mining companies.

Elective Surgeries

Earlier this year, in an effort to preserve Personal Protective Equipment for those fighting COVID-19, the Governor issued an Executive Order to “delay all non-essential or elective surgeries and procedures, including non-emergent or elective dental care”.

In the coming days, there will be updates on this coming from the Governor. In the meantime, they are asking for feedback from the public. You can complete the survey and let them know what you think about allowing important procedures to resume. Link to the survey: https://mn.gov/covid19/business-orgs/resources/elective-surgeries.jsp

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

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