At 4:00 Friday morning, MPR reported that Governor Walz would be moving back some dials today regarding the hospitality industry. After continued pressure from the GOP, Governor Walz has reacted to concerns about reopening businesses, but provided no notice to the legislature, restaurants, or event centers. On the cusp of Valentine’s Day weekend, businesses had to scramble to ensure there was enough product and staff to meet the newly accessible demand.

“Minnesota business owners deserve decisions that impact their livelihood to be properly researched before the Governor issues a COVID ruling” Senator Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) said Friday “The Governor continuing to make important decisions with zero input from the elected members of the Senate and House is beyond unacceptable. The lack of transparency and the exclusion of public opinion is equally unacceptable. Why does he not want to hear from us who are in contact with the business owners in the communities we represent? This is about power instead of properly representing all Minnesotans. Democrats should be equally frustrated with the Governor, and why the media is not exposing his obvious abuse of his executive power is hard to understand.” 

The Minnesota Senate GOP has been pressuring Walz to include them in the decision-making process when it comes to loosening COVID restrictions. He has continued to take a unilateral approach, releasing details to the press at 4:00 in the morning before informing legislators, and that is unacceptable. More people at the table, representing the entire state of Minnesota, is what good governance is all about.

Minnesota Senate Republicans will continue to advocate for Minnesotans to be included in the many changes that happen on a weekly basis.