August 31, 2020 ‘The Honorable Tim Walz Governor of Minnesota 130 Minnesota Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55155, via electronic delivery Governor Walz, ‘The COVID-19 pandemic and associated government-mandated closures have caused significant damage to the hospitality industry. Many have already closed, and others may not survive beyond the next few months. These locally owned small businesses employ thousands of Minnesotans across our great state and are a significant part of the social fabric that binds our communities together. This week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Labor and Industry (DL sent a letter to hospitality groups that teams from the Minnesota Departments of Public Safety, Health, and Labor and Industry will increase compliance checksin the coming weeks. In the letter, the Departments threaten a range of punishments including fines, forced closure, loss of liquor license, workplace investigations, and other citations. Weare troubled by the threatening tone of the letter when considering the administration's previously stated goal that compliance checks would be “educational” in nature and not punitive. Instead, you are weaponizing state agencies and threatening businesses with fines, closure, and investigations at a time when so many are struggling just to keep their doors open. Since the onset of the pandemic, businesses have been doing their best to comply with your administration's complicated, burdensome, and ever-changing executive orders and mandates. Businesses have a vested interest in protecting the health and wellbeing of customers and employees, and every business owner know and speak with wants to keep everyone safe and healthy. Furthermore, latest estimates indicate that the number of cases confirmed at a restaurant or bar makes up only 2.3% of the total state cases, and there are only about two dozen restaurants or bars that have been identified as sources for outbreaks. Clearly restaurants and barsare not major drivers for COVID transmission, and it's unfair that they are being targeted and treated as such, especially when restaurants remain subject to strict capacity limits and regulations that are not applied to big box stores.Ifbad actors are knowingly and flagrantly putting customers and employees at risk, those should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. However, sweeping inspections and heavy- handed punishments to businesses who are doing their best to stay afloat and to compiy with state regulations are unacceptable, The state must bea partner in these efforts —not an adversary, and the goal should continue to be education rather than punishment as you've repeatedly stated. For more than a year now, legislators have raised concerns about the aggressive and adversarial behavior from DLI. The refusal of the commissioner to make adjustments to improve relationships between employers and DLI resulted in her dismissal by the Minnesota Senate. You've asked publicly for feedback to improve the working relationship between commissioners, legislators, and the constituents they serve: this is a critical opportunity to show flexibility and willingness to be a partner in our efforts to rebuild our economy and keep Minnesotans safe. We strongly urge you to reassess the tone and approach your agencies are taking with our valued businesses. Sincerely, Dae Bul Representative Dave Baker ON Deputy Minority Leader Anne Neu Fev Qaless Representative Paul Anderson Representative Peggy Bennett Ze Representative Brian Daniels LAD co Minority Leader Kurt Daudt rena ‘Tony Albright Ay Qos U Representative Jeff Backer h.. Representative Greg Boe Representative Greg DavidsHan I. Demkh Representative Lisa Demuth 2t__/ Erickson Reprtsentative Son Moa Gare Representative Mary Franson Roma Nt Maun hayh Representative Glenn Gruenhagen Bpetee hte Representative Barb Haley 7th Representative John Heinrich Beg Representative Brian Johnson Representative Deb Kiel Representative Bob Dettmer (\ wee aw fabtan Representative Dan Fabian Representative Matt Grossell Set lee Representative Bob Gunther Representative Rod Hamilton Cue Representative Josh Heintzeman ayer Representative Tony Jurgens x~ Koga Representative Jon Koznickgee Representative Ron Kresha bi hve Representative Eric Lucero amid! Representative Joe McDonald Dal Representative Jim Nash Galle Representative Bud Noes FD Vath Representative Tim O'Driscoll OLD hax Representative John Petersburg Representative John Poston Anh Ka Representative Sandy Li Dabs K Poke Representative Dale Lueck a Representative Shane Mekeland to te—_—_— Representative Nathan Nelson (olor — Representative Paul Novotny yman Representative Marion O'Neill WME ve, Representative Nels Pierson ew \ bor. 7 Ulm Representative Duane QuamPia fbal Representative Kristin Robbins Representative Linda Runbeck Representative Joe Schomacker Representative Peggy Scott Representative Chris Swedzinski Representative Tama Theis Que Cte—~ Den UbdL Representative Paul Torkelson Representative Dean Urdahl Representative Bob Vogel Representative Nolan West CC (via electronic delivery) Commissioner Jan Malcoim, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner John Harrington, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Acting Commissioner Roslyn Robertson, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Sen, Paul Gazelka, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Eric Pratt, Chair, Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee