Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht was one of several Minnesota mayors that signed a letter to the state’s leaders, urging a relief package for businesses affected by Executive Order 20-99,
This order included the four-week pause on in-person dining at restaurants and bars, as well as a pause on fitness centers and youth sports.
Over the weekend, legislators were working on a deal, but as of Saturday, were stuck on whether unemployment benefits should be extended for hospitality workers.
Governor Tim Walz indicated he understands why state lawmakers are waiting for Congress.
Walz said, “I don’t blame them for this. I think legislators were looking at this and saying, well, it’s really the federal government’s responsibility to do that, which it is.”
“We need the governor to call legislators into session and legislative leaders to put aside their partisan differences and unite around what is best for all Minnesotans,” the letter said.
