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January 21, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

Stay safe on the roads and I hope you are able to enjoy some of the winter weather this weekend!

At the Capitol this week, we mainly had committee overviews - meaning we met for the first time as a committee, did introductions, and received a broad overview of what we will be doing in committee this biennium. 

Below is a brief recap of the first few weeks of 2021.

2021 Session Begins

I am honored to continue serving our community in the legislature. We have many challenges ahead of us and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help Minnesotans recover personally and financially from the damage done by COVID-19.

This session, I will serve on the Energy and Climate Finance & Policy Division, the Legacy Finance Division, and the Education Policy Committee.

I am excited for all of my committee assignments. The Education Policy Committee is a new assignment, and will certainly be interesting. There are few things more important than education, and ensuring every child in Minnesota has access to a world-class education is vital, so that our children are ready to compete in today’s job market. The last few months have been extremely difficult for our students and we must find ways to resume delivering the quality educational experience they all deserve.

Constituents can contact me by phone at 651-296-5066 or by email at rep.greg.boe@house.mn. My legislative office is located on the third floor of the State Office Building in room 313. Mail can be sent to:

Representative Greg Boe
313 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Rep. Boe was sworn in for the 2021 Legislature in his office due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restrictions Adjusted, Need to collaborate remains

Earlier this month, Gov. Walz announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses and events. Here is a summary of the changes announced:

These are welcomed by the many people, businesses, and groups that have been effected by the latest round of restrictions. However, we need to be looking to get far greater input from the community and other stakeholders when making decisions on how to keep Minnesotans safe during the final few months of the pandemic.

The current power structure — Governor Walz utilizing his Emergency Powers, cutting out the legislature and the voice of the people — is not working for the people of Minnesota.

Good lawmaking requires public input. We need to have public hearings to find the best way to keep people safe while also keep people working and living their lives. I hope the governor's letter outlining a way to end the emergency power is a serious step toward returning the voice of the people. 

DEED Grants taking Applications 

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development released applications for Movie Theater and Convention Center Grants established in the recent state COVID-19 relief package passed in December. 

The links to applications and information on the three new programs included in Minnesota’s small business relief package, signed into law December 16, are:

• Minnesota Convention Center Relief Grant Program – This temporary program was established to provide economic relief for convention centers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will make grants of up to $500,000 to eligible convention centers located in Minnesota. DEED will administer this program. All convention centers interested in receiving a relief grant must submit a completed application by Jan. 29. Applications are available here.
• Minnesota Movie Theater Relief Grant Program – This temporary program was established to provide economic relief for movie theaters adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will make grants of up to $150,000 to eligible movie theaters located in Minnesota. DEED will administer this program. All movie theaters interested in receiving a relief grant must submit a completed application by Jan. 29. Applications are available here.
• County Relief Program – We are working closely with Minnesota counties to disburse money. All counties must apply. More information is available here.

Minnesota businesses have been hit tremendously hard by COVID-19 and the subsequent closures and one-size-fits-all restrictions by the governor. Thank you for all you have done to stay in business and we have to hope we can return to normal very soon. 

Online Inquiry Process Available for Covid-19 Business Relief Payments

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent out the initial round of COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to nearly 4,000 eligible businesses across the state. This program, part of a bi-partisan COVID-19 relief legislation passed in December, offers direct relief payments to eligible restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses that did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but think they meet the program criteria can contact the department using their online inquiry process that is now available through Friday, February 5, 2021. Businesses can use this if their business either:

• Did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but they think the business met the program requirements.
• Received a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but they think the amount was wrong.

Businesses can find this online inquiry process by visiting revenue.state.mn.us and clicking “COVID-19 Business Relief Payments” found on the homepage.

Eligible businesses must meet the program requirements outlined in the legislation. Direct payment requirements for businesses include:

• Being located in Minnesota
• Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
• Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
• Experienced a 30% drop in year-over-year taxable sales for April-September periods
• Being categorized by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program as a restaurant, bar, gym, bowling center, or similar business

Direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties was also provided to set up local COVID-19 grant relief programs. Businesses not eligible for a direct payment from Revenue are encouraged to contact their local county for additional COVID-19 relief.

• Carver County Business Relief Information

Please Contact Me

Please stay in touch and let me know if there is any way I can assist in overcoming this challenge. You can always reach me at 651-296-5066 or rep.greg.boe@house.mn. 

Sincerely,

Greg

313 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.5066