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| February 26, 2021 |
| Neighbors, As we approach first deadline in 2 short weeks Senate Committees are taking up lots of bills and we passed an important bill to help re-open businesses off the Floor. I Chaired a meeting of the Housing Committee and also took part in meetings of the Health and Human Services Committee, Jobs and Economic Development Committee, and the Technology and Reform Committee. I look forward to another busy week on Monday! Thank you, Rich Re-Opening Minnesota On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate successfully passed bipartisan legislation to allow businesses to be open with no state-imposed limitation so long as the business owner maintains their own COVID safety preparedness plan. This will allow Minnesota businesses to open their doors at their own pace while providing all the safety possible for employees and customers. Over the last year, Minnesota’s small businesses have rolled with the punches and done everything in their power to adopt precautions that best protect customers and employees. Despite this, our Governor has continually chosen to limit their freedom, opting instead to rule business with an iron fist. This uncompromising approach has carried consequences that have hurt Minnesotans, small businesses, and our communities. The legislation passed today restores the idea of trust to the equation. It allows Minnesota’s businesses to join us as partners who are also interested in the state safely and quickly recovering from the pandemic. SF 1 allows businesses to be open with their own precautions in place. Instead of limitations set for the entire state by the Governor, this bill will give the power back to the people to decide what measures they need in their business. It would prohibit a Governor from closing businesses by Executive Order under Chapter 12.21 or 12.31 unless there is a two-thirds vote of the legislature. It would also require a notice of 14 days after a vote before taking effect, giving businesses ample time to prepare for the shutdown. Minnesota’s economy has suffered dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. The Minneapolis Federal Reserve reports that Employment is down 8% from the previous year and that Labor force participation down from pre-pandemic levels. Unemployment also remains above pre-pandemic levels at 4.4% in December 20 vs. 3.3% in December 19. The pandemic has been particularly severe for small businesses and Minnesota’s hospitality industry. The National Federation of Independent Businesses reported that 1 in 5 small business owners was at risk of closing due to economic conditions. Additionally, nearly 100 restaurants closed in the Twin Cities metro in 2020. More than half of restaurants report they face insolvency in the next few months if things don’t improve. Expanding Internet Access On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee heard my bill, SF 1186, that provide funds for the rural broadband grant program and appropriation for the programs. The bill provides $50 million for the border-to-border broadband fund account over the next two fiscal years. Working, learning, and receiving health care services are increasingly reliant on internet access, and this pandemic has only shined a spotlight on that fact. In my district, and across Greater Minnesota, there are underserved communities with thousands of people who still lack any reliable internet access. Legislation like this is critical to developing our infrastructure and ensuring that we expand broadband access to the students, families, businesses, and communities that need this service to succeed. The Border to Border Broadband Fund targets the development of permanent broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. Minnesota contains large segments of the state that fall into the unserved and underserved categories, which shows that this infrastructure is a critical need. This bill will provide accessible broadband to rural Minnesotans and ensure that their needs are being met. Internet access is not a luxury but a necessary utility in today’s world, and we must bring it to everyone in the state. Contacts I’ve heard from many of you but wanted to make sure you have contact information for myself and other elected officials in the State: State Senator Rich Draheim 651-296-5558 Sen.Rich.Draheim@senate.mn Governor Tim Walz 651-201-3400 https://mn.gov/governor/contact/ US Rep. Jim Hagedorn 202-225-2472 https://hagedorn.house.gov/contact US Rep. Angie Craig 202-225-2271 https://craig.house.gov/zip-code-lookup?form=/contact/email-me US Sen. Amy Klobuchar 202-224-3244 https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy US Sen. Tina Smith 202-224-5641 https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion Follow me on Facebook @SenatorRichDraheim Follow me on Facebook to see what I am up to in the Senate and around the district! www.facebook.com/SenatorRichDraheim |
