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Following Walz’s Announcement, Stauber Requests Unallocated Federal Funds Be Sent to Impacted Businesses

November 18, 2020

MINNESOTA – Today, following Governor Walz's announcement regarding new restrictions on bars, restaurants, and gyms, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) led his colleagues, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) in sending a letter to the Governor, urging him to distribute unallocated federal funds to the businesses his new restrictions will impact. Following the passage of the CARES Act in March, Minnesota received $1 billion, yet millions of those funds sit idle.

Stauber stated, "Minnesota is experiencing concerning spikes in COVID-19 cases. This is an alarming trend that we must take seriously to ensure the health and safety of all Minnesotans. With that being said, I, along with many of my constituents remain concerned with the impact these blanket restrictions could have on small businesses.

"For many of Minnesota's businesses, the Governor's new restrictions may be the devastating setback from which they never recover. Now that the Governor has closed these businesses for four weeks, he has a responsibility to help them get through this crisis. Therefore, I urge Governor Walz to heed our advice and distribute the millions of dollars in unallocated federal funding to the businesses and employees impacted by his statewide shutdown."

The letter reads (in part): "Over the last several months, Minnesotans have worked tirelessly to save their businesses, reemploy staff, and restart our economy. Now, Minnesotans are scrambling for their livelihoods once more, even as funds sit idle that should provide them relief and security.

"As you force Minnesotans to close their businesses, we request that you immediately use the CARES Act money to provide Minnesota's small businesses financial relief. Small business owners bear the cost of your new restrictions and it is imperative that these funds are used to assist them in their most dire hour."

Read the full letter, HERE

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