Hello Northlanders,

Last week, Voyageurs National Park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park. This recognizes the park’s commitment to improving night skies by retrofitting existing exterior lighting at park facilities to minimize impact to natural light. Here’s a breathtaking photo from Jeff Kantor that illustrates just how much this honor is justified.

Economic Assistance

While we’d all like to return to normal, unfortunately the virus is dictating the timeline. In light of this, we’re working extremely hard to deliver economic aid for the business owners, workers, and families impacted by the pandemic. With no action so far from the federal government, right now it’s up to state leaders to come up with a package of COVID-19 economic assistance. We’ve put forth such a plan, which includes the following aid to small businesses:

• $102.5 million for county grants for eligible businesses and nonprofits. Each county would receive $200,000 or a per capita amount, whichever is greater
• $100 million to businesses that provide on-site food and beverages; including bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries; bowling alleys; and fitness or sports recreation centers
• $14 million for movie theaters and multipurpose convention centers
• $53.1 million worth of support for eligible child care providers
• A COVID-19 food relief grant program with $10 million to support small Minnesota owned and operated restaurants, catering companies, and food establishments while also providing hunger relief
• Waivers of certain fees for bars, food-related businesses, and breweries

Many Minnesota workers already have or are about to exhaust their unemployment benefits too, and our economic assistance package includes an extra 13 weeks of benefits. In fact, when the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program under the federal CARES Act expires December 26, between 100,000 and 125,000 Minnesotans will lose their benefits. These are extraordinary times, and the need to act is urgent to help not just businesses, but also the workers who have been harmed during this crisis.

The plan also includes cash assistance for low-income families, emergency housing assistance, and funding to help families pay for child care. Lawmakers and Governor Walz continue to work toward a bipartisan agreement on this aid package, and I hope we can pass a version of this package when we meet in special session later today.

Vaccine Distribution

There’s promising news just around the corner, as a COVID-19 vaccine is on its way. Pfizer’s first shipment left the factory this weekend, and approval for Moderna’s vaccine seems to be is right around the corner. This past Tuesday, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. In partnership with the federal government and local communities, the goal is to quickly, equitably, and safely deliver the vaccine to Minnesotans in every corner of the state.

The vaccine, which won’t be mandatory, will be made available in phases due to an initial limited supply. Phase 1A will include health care personnel and long-term care residents. Within this phase are sub-prioritization groups. Essential workers are in group 1B including sectors like education, food and agriculture, utilities, police, firefighters, corrections officers, and transportation. Group 1C will include those 65 or older and those with underlying health conditions. In Phase 2, the vaccine will be distributed more broadly.

It will take some time to get the vaccine out to everyone who wants it, so we will all have to be patient as it goes out to priority groups. Trials of both vaccines show a 95% effective rate, which is an astounding figure considering how quickly it’s been developed. You can watch Governor Walz’s press conference here.

Committee Chairmanship

I’m honored that during the coming legislative session, I’ll be chairing the new Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee in the Minnesota House. I’m excited to take on this new role to help working people, small business owners, and veterans have the opportunity to succeed. I plan to focus on legislation to protect workers, create new good-paying job opportunities, and build a climate for businesses to grow. Additionally, I plan to continue work from my current role as chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee by removing barriers encountered by those who’ve served our nation.

As Minnesotans of all backgrounds face a variety of challenges, our committee will do everything we can to help people get through these tough times. I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Please continue to contact me with your feedback and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative