NW Minnesota News

Sen. Paul Utke wished Minnesota residents a happy Easter, while providing Legislature updates on the coronavirus pandemic. 

In a press release, Utke urged Gov. Tim Walz to relax restriction for Minnesota residents after the governor extended the state's stay-at-home order through May 4.

"There are added exceptions for certain business, like landscaping, but the majority will remain closed. This is undoubtedly bad news for many people, and I urge the governor to alter his order as soon as possible to incorporate relaxed restrictions for rural communities," Utke said in the press release. "Our neighboring Midwestern states, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa have yet to order state-wide stay-at-home restrictions, because their governors do not believe in 'one size fits all' responses."

These states are focusing on issuing orders that are based on population density, but are directing them to vulnerable citizens, Utke said in the release. He said he believes Minnesota should be modeling their COVID-19 responses after this one. 

"We should be modeling our response to COVID-19 after these states. Like Minnesota, these neighboring states (North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa) have urban centers, as well as rural regions," Utke said in the release. "Their governors understand that rural and urban communities shouldn’t have the same restrictions as they are inherently different. For rural communities to function, we must reopen soon."

To help Minnesota businesses, the Legislature passed a bill that will designate $330 million to support businesses in the state, which includes childcare providers, farmers and the unemployed, according to the press release. 

"This legislation is by no means the final answer to the problems caused by the stay-at-home order, but it is a good first step," Utke said in the release. 

The Senate also passed a resolution that will allow committee meetings to be held virtually, according to the release. 

But Utke said the current situation shouldn't take away the joy from the Easter season. 

"The joy of this season and the progression into spring should not be overshadowed by our troubles as they stand now," Utke said in the release. "I have been greatly encouraged by the way our communities have rallied to help neighbors, schools have stepped up and innovated, and even our hurting restaurants have provided meals to the needy.  We have a fighting spirit, the weather is warming, and we have a cessation of emergency measures on the horizon."