Governor Walz Closes Minnesota – Again

On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz announced that he was imposing a four-week shutdown on bars, restaurants, and gyms. Additional restrictions are also being implemented. The new measures took effect at 11:59 pm last night. Here are the details of Governor Walz’s most recent shutdown laws:

• Social gatherings that include individuals who are not members of your household are prohibited for four weeks. This means you may not meet with a friend or neighbor, or extended family member in-person.
• Bars and restaurants will be closed for four weeks. However, they will still be permitted to offer takeout services.
• Gyms and fitness centers will be totally closed for four weeks.
• Youth sports will be suspended for four weeks.
• Wedding and funeral receptions will be suspended for four weeks.
• These measures are the Governor’s most recent effort to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Violations of these laws are punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Here is the link to the executive order.

The COVID-19 pandemic needs to be taken seriously, and we all need to take personal responsibility for our safety and that of our loved ones. However, the Governor keeps implementing one failed policy after another. I believe these efforts are misguided and will harm the livelihoods of Minnesotans across the state. These executive orders, which under State law, have the full force and effect of law, will trigger hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans to lose their employment.

Just a few weeks ago, Governor Walz said that he wanted to approach COVID-19 in a “surgical” manner rather than using “blunt instruments.” Clearly, the Governor did not mean what he said. Although he has changed his language, speaking of putting Wedding receptions "on hold" and putting a "pause" on other activities, we know that some of those things will simply be missed. Cherished businesses will close forever, unable to pay their employees. The Governor needs to level with the people of Minnesota rather than mislead everyone.

Legislative Action

For months, several colleagues and I have been trying to strip the Governor of his emergency powers. The Governor has unconstitutionally used his emergency powers to circumvent the Minnesota Legislature and make law on his own. This practice is not how our government is designed to work, and it sets a terrible precedent.

No leader should be allowed to unilaterally make blatantly unconstitutional decisions. Yet Governor Walz has done just that. The Minnesota Legislature represents the voice of the people. His refusal to work with legislators demonstrates that he does not want to hear from Minnesotans.

My colleagues and I have put forward resolution after resolution to end the Governor’s power grab. I will continue to vote to end his emergency powers. However, we need many more legislators to stand up and do the same if we are going to be successful in ending Governor Walz’s unconstitutional actions.

Next month when we meet again in a special session, no doubt we will be considering how to help people affected by the Governor's decisions. This second shutdown is creating even more hardships for families and businesses, and we no longer have to pay for the consequences of a pandemic. We are paying for the consequences of bad policies.