House Resolution 1

We had significant discussion about House Resolution 1 in Rules Committee this week and you can expect to see that discussion come to the House Floor next week. I will respond in more depth about the problems with this resolution at that time but I will let this quote set the tone for my remarks to come.

Online Inquiry Process Available for Covid-19 Business Relief Payments

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent out the initial round of COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to nearly 4,000 eligible businesses across the state. This program, part of a bi-partisan COVID-19 relief legislation passed in December, offers direct relief payments to eligible restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses that did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but think they meet the program criteria can contact the department using their online inquiry process that is now available through Friday, February 5, 2021. Businesses can use this if their business either:

• Did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but they think the business met the program requirements.
• Received a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but they think the amount was wrong.

Businesses can find this online inquiry process by visiting revenue.state.mn.us and clicking “COVID-19 Business Relief Payments” found on the homepage.

Eligible businesses must meet the program requirements outlined in the legislation. Direct payment requirements for businesses include:

• Being located in Minnesota
• Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
• Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
• Experienced a 30% drop in year-over-year taxable sales for April-September periods
• Being categorized by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program as a restaurant, bar, gym, bowling center, or similar business

Direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties was also provided to set up local COVID-19 grant relief programs. Businesses not eligible for a direct payment from Revenue are encouraged to contact their local county for additional COVID-19 relief.

• Anoka County COVID Relief Grants
• Washington County COVID Relief Resources

DNR invites public input on deer population goals

In 2019, the DNR updated its deer population goal-setting process, which previously obtained  input through citizen advisory committees and in-person public meetings. The new format design allows more participants and encourages discussion across viewpoints.

In addition to goal setting, anyone can talk directly with area wildlife managers about deer management or attend deer open houses, held statewide outside of the goal-setting process. The open houses are designed to encourage conversations about deer and deer management, enhance local relationships and foster two-way communication between the DNR and the public. More information about open houses is on the DNR website.

This year, to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission and support social distancing measures, the DNR is shifting to online-only engagement, rather than in-person workshops. Minnesotans interested in deer populations in certain areas of the state can take an active role in shaping deer population goals during an open public input process starting Monday, Feb. 8.

More information about how to join the process can be found here: Deer Population Goals Public Invitation

I will always do my best to highlight opportunities for public input whenever I hear about them and this is one of those opportunities.

Choose Freedom,

Cal Bahr
State Representative, 31B

Coming up Next Week

• Soon I am introducing a bill that will allow Townships to choose to preserve their Township form of Government.  Here is a video that I made last year explaining the bill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYCF2hf1QZw&t= 
• I will be in committee hearing mostly Minnesota state department presentations until more legislation starts moving through. All of the Legislative Committee hearings are held via Zoom and additional public information channels have added so that the public can watch them live. You can find links to those streaming channels on the House Information Website.

Contact:

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office. We are still attempting to provide regular contact remotely so if you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Barbara, at barbara.smith@house.mn.

Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV

Video: Streaming Website. Also you can watch committees and Floor Sessions on YouTube.