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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM REP. TIM MILLER- DISTRICT 17A

Saturday, November 21, 2020

This has been an eventful week in Minnesota as we prepare for the holidays in the midst of the COVID 19 epidemic.  Governor Walz has reacted by announcing far reaching restrictions. 

4 weeks of shutdown: The rules

Governor Walz Closes Minnesota – Again

On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz announced that he was imposing a four-week shutdown on bars, restaurants, and gyms. Additional restrictions are also being implemented. The new measures took effect at 11:59 pm last night. Here are the details of Governor Walz’s most recent shutdown plan.  

  • Social gatherings that include individuals who are not members of your household are prohibited for four weeks.
  • Bars and restaurants will be closed for four weeks. However, they will still be permitted to offer takeout services.
  • Gyms and fitness centers will be totally closed for four weeks.
  • Youth sports will be suspended for four weeks.
  • Wedding and funeral receptions will be suspended for four weeks.
  • These measures are the Governor’s most recent effort to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is a link to the executive order. 

The COVID-19 pandemic needs to be taken seriously, and we all need to do our part to take precautions. But just a few weeks ago, Governor Walz said that he wanted to approach COVID-19 in a “surgical” manner rather than using “blunt instruments.” Clearly, the Governor did not mean what he said. His most recent restrictions are nothing more than the shutdown we had back in March, except that we can get haircuts this time. In March, we had state and federal resources to help distressed small businesses. Now many of those programs have expired or run out of funds.

The Governor needs to level with the people of Minnesota rather than mislead everyone. 

This legislature will be meeting one last time in December, and we will have the opportunity to consider how to help people who are struggling with the effects of the shutdown. Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you or your community. (Contact information below). 


Legislative Action

For months, several colleagues and I have been trying to strip the Governor of his emergency powers. The Governor has unconstitutionally used his emergency powers to circumvent the Minnesota Legislature and make law on his own. This practice is not how our government is designed to work, and it sets a terrible precedent.
No leader should be allowed to make decisions that are blatantly unconstitutional and make them unilaterally. Yet Governor Walz has done just that. The Minnesota Legislature represents the voice of the people. His refusal to work with legislators demonstrates that he does not want his decisions scrutinized or discussed; he wants them obeyed.

The people have a right to hear the arguments for policies that put their very livelihoods at stake and their health and mental well-being. They deserve to be treated like adults, not lectured to with fear mongering speeches and bombarded with marketing campaigns telling them what to do.

When faced with facts, the vast majority will use their God-given common sense to take the necessary steps to preserve their own lives and those of their loved ones. By bypassing our normal processes and institutions, the Governor is risking blowback as people naturally resist these intrusive policies and threats. He also puts at risk the delicate thread of our Constitutional Republic, which has served us for so long and so well.

My colleagues and I have put forward resolution after resolution to end the Governor's emergency powers. I will continue to stand up against his dictatorial rule. I will continue to vote to end it. However, we need many more legislators to stand up and do the same if we are going to be successful in ending Governor Walz's unconstitutional actions.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my office. My email address is Rep.Tim.Miller@house.mn Additionally, please reach out to my Legislative Assistant, Luke, with any questions. Luke’s email is Luke.Sprinkel@house.mn. Emailing is the fastest way to reach me. Contact me anytime with questions or concerns.

Rep. Tim Miller(17-A Prinsburg)

Tim Miller