Ewald at the Capitol/December 18

COVID-19 Relief Package

This week, in the seventh special session, the Legislature passed a $216 million COVID-19 relief package. Gov. Walz signed the bill yesterday. The package provides grants to small businesses and nonprofits and extends unemployment benefits.

$88 million will go toward grants for eligible breweries, wineries, distilleries, fitness centers, bowling alleys, restaurants, and bars. $14 million will go toward grants for movie theaters and convention centers. Lastly, $114.8 million will be appropriated directly to counties to distribute their own grants to local businesses and nonprofits.

One of the goals of this package was to get relief out quickly. All grants have been given a deadline for distribution by March 15, 2021.

Gov. Walz also extended his peacetime emergency powers for another 30 days.

COVID-19 Dial-Back Update

Gov. Walz has announced an update to Executive Order 20-99, which is set to expire today. Public pools, indoor entertainment venues, wedding receptions and similar gatherings, indoor dining and indoor bar service will all remain shut down. Loosened restrictions and openings apply to the following:

Outdoor dining can open at 50% capacity, not to exceed 100 people.
Gyms can open at 25% capacity, not to exceed 100 people. Distance between patrons must be 12 feet. Masks are now required. Group fitness can resume Jan. 4.
Youth sports practices can resume Jan. 4.
Outdoor gatherings can include 3 households, not to exceed 15 people.
Indoor gatherings can include 1 additional household, not to exceed 10 people. The governor recommends wearing a mask for this type of gathering.
Outdoor activities may resume at 25%, not to exceed 100 people.
Starting Jan. 18, elementary schools may choose to offer in-person learning.

2021 Legislative Session, Capitol Safety Measures

The Advisory Committee on Capitol Security met this week to discuss plans for 2021 operations at the Capitol complex and updates on the future of the chain-link fence that currently surrounds the Capitol building. This committee contains members from all branches of government and is chaired by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

For now, "to the extent possible," the House will continue to operate remotely for the 2021 Legislative session. The Senate will operate in a yet-to-be-fully-determined hybrid model. As for the House and Senate chamber galleries, there will be limited public seating and members of the public will need to have an official escort while in the Capitol building.

The fence surrounding the Capitol, which costs the state about $8,200 a month, will be staying put for now.

"At this time, I am still charting intel information about folks that talk about defacing the Capitol as a tactic. Having the fence stay up while those threats continue, I think, is a prudent matter," said Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington.