Legislative Update January 8, 2021

By on January 08, 2021 in legislature, news

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Rep. Quam Header

January 8, 2021

2021 Legislative Session Begins

On Tuesday, I was officially sworn in for my sixth term representing our community.
I’m humbled and honored to be returning to the legislature and continue serving the residents of Dodge and Olmsted Counties.

Our state faces many challenges including defeating the pandemic and helping to get Minnesotans back on their feet after it. We need to put into law the tools needed for this and future health emergencies including the procurement of supplies, telemedicine, contingencies for allowing medical personnel from compact states to fill the emergency needs, and local options and choices instead of one-size-fits-all mandates.

We also have to balance Minnesota’s two-year budget while not raising taxes on already struggling Minnesota taxpayers. We are up to the challenge of fixing these problems in a fiscally responsible way.

This session I will serve on the following committees: State Government Finance & Policy, Local Government Division, and Health Finance & Policy.

Constituents can contact reach me by phone at 651-296-9236 or by email at email hidden; JavaScript is required. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 247. Mail can be sent to:

Representative Duane Quam
247 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Restrictions Lifted, Working to end Powers

On Wednesday, Gov. Walz announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses and events. Here is a summary of the changes announced:

  • Restaurants are allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity with a max of 150. Groups can include no more than six people, and tables must be spaced six feet apart. Bar service is allowed to resume to customers in groups of two. Restrictions on dining between 10PM and 4AM remain in place.
  • Gyms remain capped at 25 percent, maximum capacity raised to 150, and classes can be increased to 25 people with distancing.
  • Outdoor events and entertainment capacity remains at 25 percent with the maximum capacity raised to 250.
  • Indoor entertainment and events (bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.) may open at 25 percent with a cap of 150.
  • Youth and adult sports games may resume January 14 with spectators subject to the same indoor entertainment restrictions.
  • Pools are open at 25% capacity.
  • Wedding receptions and other “private parties” may resume with limits. If food and drink is served there is a limit of two households or 10 people indoors and 3 households/15 people outdoors. If there is no food/drunk, they are covered by the event/entertainment restrictions.
  • Churches remain open at 50% but the overall capacity limit has been lifted so there is no maximum.

These are welcomed by the many businesses and groups that have been effected by the latest round of restrictions. However, we need to be looking to get far greater input from the community and other stakeholders when making decisions on how to keep Minnesotans safe during the final few months of the pandemic.

The current power structure — Governor Walz utilizing his Emergency Powers, cutting out the legislature and the voice of the people — is clearly not working. We need to have public hearings to find the best way to keep people safe while also keep people working and living their lives. Good lawmaking is done when we are able to get input from the public, that is not happening now.

DEED Grants taking Applications

This week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development released applications for Movie Theater and Convention Center Grants established in the recent state COVID-19 relief package passed in December.

The links to applications and information on the three new programs included in Minnesota’s small business relief package, signed into law December 16, are:

  • Minnesota Convention Center Relief Grant Program – This temporary program was established to provide economic relief for convention centers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will make grants of up to $500,000 to eligible convention centers located in Minnesota. DEED will administer this program. All convention centers interested in receiving a relief grant must submit a completed application by Jan. 29. Applications are available here.
  • Minnesota Movie Theater Relief Grant Program – This temporary program was established to provide economic relief for movie theaters adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will make grants of up to $150,000 to eligible movie theaters located in Minnesota. DEED will administer this program. All movie theaters interested in receiving a relief grant must submit a completed application by Jan. 29. Applications are available here.
  • County Relief Program – We are working closely with Minnesota counties to disburse money. All counties must apply. More information is available here.

Minnesota businesses have been hit tremendously hard by COVID-19 and the subsequent closures and one-size-fits-all restrictions by the governor. Thank you for all you have done to stay in business and we have to hope we can return to normal very soon.

Please Stay in Touch

Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 651-296-9236 or you can email me at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Have a great weekend!

Rep. Quam Signature

Duane

247 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9236