Due to Governor Walz’s nearly two months of a mandated shutdown, rural businesses are now facing permanent closure while waiting for the governor’s decision to reopen fully.

Many rural business owners have stated they can no longer wait for this decision and have announced they will reopen with safety precautions in place before June 1. Some, including the owner of Shady’s Hometown Tavern, Kris Schiffler, have been threatened with a fine by the Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison if they follow through with their plans. Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) made the below statement following the attempted reopening by Mr. Shiffler on Monday –

“One of Mr. Schiffler’s six establishments is in Rice, which is a part of my district. I do not appreciate the threats of copious fines or imprisonment being leveled at him or any other constituent businesses from the Attorney General’s Office. These business owners and their employees have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Punishment for trying to maintain a livelihood is in direct opposition to those values.”