NC Minnesota News

Sen. Paul Utke updated Minnesota residents on the ending of the 2020 regular session and what is in store for a special session and Gov. Tim Walz's reopening. 

"This past Sunday at midnight the Minnesota Senate adjourned, ending the 2020 regular session on a somewhat open-ended note," Utke said in a press release from the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. "While the Senate and House were able to pass many bills that will benefit Minnesotans, headline bills, including this year’s bonding bill, were left behind with no agreement."

The last session passed some bills intended to surpass Walz's executive orders as a way to send a message to the governor that the state is ready for reopening, including one to reopen all businesses throughout the state, according to the press release. 

Additionally, there has been an update to school districts. According to the press release, there will be a "combination of distance learning and in-classroom learning for summer programs and extended school year services" under the governor's new executive order. 

Utke also informs residents of an executive order ending the stay-at-home order. 

"I want to discuss Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-56 that ended his stay-at-home order as of yesterday, bringing with it a continued wave of restrictions labeled 'Stay Safe MN,'" Utke said in the release. "I want to first acknowledge that this order does provide a saving grace for some retail and other small businesses. As of yesterday, malls, retail stores and main street businesses can open at 50% occupancy with a safety plan in place."

While the initiative has restrictions, it encourages Minnesotans to go outside and socialize as long as the groups are 10 people or less. 

"However, I want to emphasize that despite the lift of the stay-at-home order, Gov. Walz has not even come close to opening up Minnesota all the way," Utke said in the press release. "Next week, bars and restaurants, barbershops and salons, and other places of public accommodation such as theaters will still remained closed (other than for takeout, delivery, etc) waiting for additional guidance promised by the governor to become available on May 20. Once again, we see violations of our constitutional rights and we look to the fairness factor. Look around and see which stores are open. Then look at those that are forced to remain closed. It is not fair, and we will lose many of these small businesses."