Dear Friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each of us, suddenly and surprisingly. Throughout this time the goal has been to keep people safe. Initially that meant keeping people safe from getting the virus. Now it is time to consider the mental and emotional well-being as well as the devastating financial impact on families and small businesses. This is the next looming problem, just as serious as the virus itself.

It is good that golf courses, landscapers, factories and offices have been reopened. However, most of our Main Street family businesses still remain closed by executive order. Most of these are quite small and financially fragile. However, if allowed to reopen, they can function very safely and readily comply with CDC guidelines. I am concerned that they may never reopen, if they aren’t allowed to reopen soon. This would be tragic and wholly unnecessary. So I have been asking the Governor for weeks to allow them to open. The shopkeepers tell me they will do it safely, following CDC guidelines. We need their positive influences in our communities. They should be given the chance to safely reopen.

During each of the 6 times the Senate has met in session over the last four weeks, I have issued respectful but strong advice directed to Governor Walz and his team. I know they are doing what they believe to be best for the people of Minnesota, but I want to be sure that they are aware of the consequences of the executive orders on our Main Street and side street families.

Below are the 6 speeches (two different speeches on 4/20) I have given on the Senate floor recently. Click on the photos below to view. Please feel free to share them.

We are all in this together.

My floor speech from 4/23, “Covid-19 Guidelines”

Two floor speeches from 4/20, “Desperate Times”

My floor speech from 4/13, “Constrained Optimization”

My floor speech from 4/7, “Plea to Governor”

My speech from 3/26, “Supporting Minnesotans”

We are all in this together. Elected leaders need to remember that, and include the voices of Main Street and families as they design paths forward.

I will also continue to urge that you write the governor and express your personal concerns. Tell him I sent you. Here is the Governor’s contact information:

https://mn.gov/governor/contact/

Senator Jim Abeler

612.245.3764

Sen.Jim.Abeler@Senate.MN