Neighbor,
Here’s hoping you and your family are keeping in good health as we work to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak.
These are extraordinary times and the impacts seem to be never-ending, right down to canceling this year’s Governor’s Fishing Opener that was set to take place right here in Otter Tail County. Reports indicate this is the first cancellation since the event started in 1948. Local people have done a great job of preparing for this year’s festivities and I hope the cancellation is more of a postponement and the Governor’s Fishing Opener can take place here in Otter Tail at a later date.
I would like to clarify the governor’s event has been canceled, but the fishing season itself has not been canceled as of now.
We will see how things unfold. For now, here is more information I hope you find helpful:
Business program guide
I continue receiving questions from small-business owners who need help and advice during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here is a guide from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development with good information about what’s available at the state and federal levels.
Unemployment insurance
This outbreak is coming with great consequences for workers and business owners. If you have issues with your unemployment insurance application, or questions about whether your business is eligible for a program, please contact DEED using the resources available on their website for the fastest and most accurate answers. You can visit this website to learn more about the Unemployment Insurance Program. For questions about whether you qualify for UI, how to apply and the process, please visit here. In addition, programs passed by the federal government may not yet be available — please keep checking the federal program websites for updates.
Or, as always, let me know if there’s anything I can do to assist. Just this week I helped a constituent resolve issues he was having with the UI system after getting “locked out” of the website. I’m glad we got that straightened out for him.
Census
Wednesday was Census Day and I encourage you to complete the Census soon, if you haven’t already done so.
You can respond online now at www.my2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020. The Census Bureau also will mail a paper questionnaire to households in mid-April that have not responded online or by phone.
Your responses matter and the data collected will help determine where billions in federal funds are spent and how our representation in government is allocated. For example, the results will inform how federal dollars are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
Visit these links for more information:
Look for more news soon. Legislators continue working from home and remain on-call for duties at the Capitol. Be well and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Sincerely,
Bud