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Dear Neighbors,
Today’s email is a brief summary of major announcements from the past week, including new executive orders, legislative action, and resources to help small businesses, workers, and other Minnesotans who are facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a reminder, the Governor’s Stay at Home order goes into effect tonight at 11:59pm and ends at 5pm on Friday, April 10. Continue reading to learn what the order does (and does not) mean for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Paul Marquart
State Representative
Stay home except for essential needs: March 27-April 10
To protect our health care workers, senior citizens, and people who are at higher risk for COVID-19, stay home except for essential needs, which includes getting groceries, gas, medical attention, and exercise (be sure to practice social distancing when outside your home). Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.
Legislature approves new economic aid for small businesses, workers
On March 26, the Legislature approved an economic aid package to immediately begin addressing economic hardship thrust upon Minnesotans. It includes funding for small business loans (including restaurants and bars), grants for child care providers, financial assistance for food banks, food shelves, and related transportation costs, and investments in secure, safe housing for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and Minnesotans experiencing homelessness. Click here to read a summary from the nonpartisan House Research Department.
Department of Employment and Economic Development creates new small business loan program
DEED is creating a Small Business Emergency Loan Program to make loans of between $2,500 and $35,000 for qualifying small businesses. The loans will be 50% forgivable, and offered at a 0% interest rate. You can find detailed information about these loans and how to apply at this link:
https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/peacetime
U.S. Small Business Administration accepting applications for no-interest loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting applications for its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. You can apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call SBA's disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 for the latest information.
This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits. Loans can be used to meet payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The non-profit rate is 2.75%. These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.
Statewide moratorium on evictions in place
Minnesota has placed statewide moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. Tenants who can continue to pay rent should continue to do so, but landlords and financial institutions cannot begin eviction proceedings that would remove tenants from stable housing. Click here to read the entire executive order.
Tax filing deadline extended to July 15, 2020 with no penalties or interest
Both the IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue will accept individual income tax returns through July 15, 2020, without assessing penalties or interest. Click here for more information. If you have questions about this new income tax payment deadline, please contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue by email at individual.incometax@state.mn.us and by phone at 1-800-652-9094.
General Resources
Stay Home MN website
www.mn.gov/stayhomemn
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
www.health.state.mn.us
School and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
www.education.mn.gov
*Child care providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268.
Information for workers and employers: www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid
Minnesota Department of Health Spanish language website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/spanish.html
American Sign Language PSA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8bUdMEsiPQ&feature=emb_titl
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