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Dear neighbors,
I’d like to extend a warm thank you to the people of Woodbury for allowing me to continue serving our community for the next two years. As your State Representative, I promise to work with you for a strong and vital Minnesota and a promising future for us all.
New Public Health Guidelines
Unfortunately, we are in a dangerous phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at a record-setting high in Minnesota, and hospitals have expressed concern about their capacity to care for Minnesotans with COVID-19 and other health conditions.
Governor Walz announced several new public health guidelines last night. In a statewide address, which you can watch here, he outlined the actions designed to target the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks. Starting this Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m., bars and restaurants will only offer takeout and delivery, gyms and entertainment venues will close, and there will be a pause on youth sports. Minnesotans are being asked to stay home when possible and to avoid gatherings with people outside of their household.
I speak everyday with people who have lost a loved one, become ill themselves, lost their income, and had their daily life turned upside down by COVID-19. I recognize that this pandemic has been painful for many Minnesotans. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. We won’t be able to rebuild our economy or social lives until the virus is under control. For everyone’s sake, please wear a mask, maintain a distance of at least six feet, stay home if you’re feeling sick, and respect the well-being of others. This behavior will save lives – maybe your own, maybe someone you love.
COVID-19 Testing
Public health officials are encouraging Minnesotans to get tested for COVID-19, even if they don’t have any symptoms. There are several options for people who want to get tested, including a saliva test that can be delivered to your home. You can find more information about all of the options here.
On Monday, November 23, free COVID-19 testing will be available at the Washington County Environmental Center in Woodbury from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can find more information and schedule an appointment here.
Support for Small Businesses
I hear from business owners everyday about the difficulties they’re experiencing. Even though many of those businesses are currently “open,” customers and clients have not returned. The ongoing pandemic and new restrictions will undoubtably create challenges for small businesses and their employees. If you’re able, please support our local small businesses during these difficult times.
Governor Walz recently announced $10 million in Small Business Relief Grants to support businesses that are struggling as they do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19. This funding will support an additional 1,000 businesses that have applied for the grant program. You can find more information about the program here.
Special Sessions Continue
The Minnesota Legislature has continued meeting for monthly special sessions. In October, we passed a strong Local Jobs, Projects, and Economic Development bill after over a year of work. The investments in this bill will fund hundreds of public infrastructure projects, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen communities throughout the state.
Much more action is needed to support Minnesotans who are struggling to get through this pandemic. However, individual states, Minnesota among them, have neither the resources nor the constitutional authority to spend into debt. An aggressive economic relief program from the federal government is essential to relieve the difficulties caused while this disease continues to spread. I hope our federal leaders will take immediate action to help families and businesses make ends meet.
Stay in Touch
As always, you can reach me at rep.steve.sandell@house.mn. Please continue to share questions and feedback and let me know if I can be of assistance. Also, feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and neighbors who may be interested in receiving updates from the Capitol. Anyone is welcome to subscribe to my weekly updates here. For additional updates, you can follow my official Facebook page here.
Sincerely,
Steve Sandell
State Representative
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