State Senator Carla Nelson today issued an urgent plea to Gov. Tim Walz to call upon the House of Representatives to pass critical tax relief on Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses and unemployment insurance relief for individuals affected by the Covid pandemic.

Watch Senator Nelson’s video statement here

Video transcript:

“Senator Carla Nelson here with the topic that’s buzzing on Minnesotans’ minds, and that has to do with your taxes. In the Minnesota Senate last week, we passed that bill that would not tax those forgiven PPP loans, that would allow for deductions with those PPP expenses, would allow for not taxing those pandemic unemployment benefits. And, we sent it to the House. The House did not take it up on Thursday. They did not send it to the governor. And just last evening, the House voted down this needed tax relief for Minnesota employees who have been laid off. For Minnesota employers who kept the paychecks flowing even though there weren’t customers. And the governor has said nothing.” 

“And that is why I am talking to you today. Weeks ago, the governor had no problem calling on the legislature to pass $35 million for SAFE Act and get it done by March 8.”

“Well, I want to know: Where is the governor’s clarion call for this much-needed tax relief? He is hiding behind the House’s inaction. “

“It is time for our governor to quit fighting against this needed tax relief, as he did all during the special sessions. Minnesotans are hurting. Governor Walz, please call for the House to immediately take up the needed PPP loan forgiveness and the pandemic unemployment benefits. Those are not taxable; we should not be taxing those benefits in the state of Minnesota. Please, Gov. Walz: call upon the House to take up the bill and get it on your desk!”