In a letter addressed to Governor Tim Walz and the leaders of the four main legislative caucuses, CGMC President and Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka called on them to quickly work together to pass an emergency COVID-19 relief package to aid businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic and resulting closures and restrictions. Here is the text of the letter:
Dear Governor Walz and legislative leaders,
As we enter an uncertain winter for businesses and residents across Minnesota, I am writing on behalf of the members of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) to urge action on a COVID-19 relief package.
Since March, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on our communities and their economies. Through a hard closing this spring, tentative reopening in the summer, and now back to hunkering down for the late fall and winter, Greater Minnesota has met the virus and the challenges it has created head on. Initial infusions of state and federal funds have helped many businesses and workers through the early months of the crisis. We recognize that some temporary business closures and restrictions are necessary to stem the tide of the virus. However, without further assistance from the state or federal government, the pandemic and resulting restrictions will decimate local economies and threaten many businesses with permanent closure.
Many Greater Minnesota communities are defined by their small businesses. The businesses hardest hit by the pandemic are the very kind of small businesses that make our hometowns special. Providing emergency aid is the right thing to do. With the passage of the bonding bill in October, state leaders proved that it was possible to come together on a bipartisan basis to make investments in our shared priorities. We need you to bring that same spirit of cooperation to providing aid to Minnesotans right now.
Because of the urgency of the moment, CGMC supports a relief package that provides emergency grants to businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic. While we do not relish the idea of drawing on Minnesota’s budget reserve, the state has very little choice absent federal help. Spending some of the reserve now will hopefully mean that our state’s economy is better poised for a quick recovery once a vaccine is available.
In addition to direct funding for businesses and workers, we support any sort of regulatory relief that can be mustered to remove barriers to businesses as they continue to function with limited operations.
As you work to craft a relief package, please do not hesitate to be in touch should there be anything that we can do to be of assistance.
Finally, the only thing that I can say is that we are counting on you. Please pass a relief package as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Mayor Greg Zylka, Little Falls
President, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities
