Stauber: Governor’s Announcement Long Overdue

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement following Governor Walz's announcement regarding the release of $841 million in CARES funds to Greater Minnesota. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Stauber has heard the concerns of local elected leaders on this issue and continuously pressed the Governor to work with the state legislature to release these vital funds.

"While I am pleased with the Governor's announcement, it is long overdue. Over three months ago, Congress and President Trump quickly provided immediate financial relief to the states through the bipartisan CARES Act. In the weeks since the enactment of the CARES Act, hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans have lost their jobs and countless businesses have shut down statewide.

"Despite the fact that Greater Minnesota has experienced the same economic hardship as the Twin Cities, both Ramsey and Hennepin Counties quickly received federal financial assistance while rural Minnesota didn't see a dime. For weeks, I have written and called the Governor, urging him to do the right thing and release these funds to local governments across Greater Minnesota. As the Governor refused to act, communities across my district suffered. Rural Minnesota matters too, and they deserved more timely and decisive leadership from their Governor on this matter."

Six weeks ago, Stauber led a letter with Congressman Emmer and Congressman Hagedorn, urging Governor Walz to work with the state legislature to ensure CARES funds are quickly and equitably distributed to local governments across Greater Minnesota. Read the letter, HERE.

Just last week, Stauber sent another letter to the Governor expressing his disappointment after the Governor and House Democrats reneged on a bipartisan agreement that would have finally released these funds. Read the letter, HERE.

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