Minnesota State Wire

Amidst early efforts to curb the infection rate of COVID-19, state Senate Republicans objected to some of Gov. Tim Walz’ executive orders intended to slow the spread of the virus.

The governor’s order to change unemployment rules without involving the Legislature may violate the Minnesota Constitution, said state Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka.

“While we understand the necessity of Gov. Walz to lead in this time of crisis, that leadership should not be unilateral and unchecked,” Gazelka said in a statement.

Other objections came in response to the economic impact of closing businesses such as restaurants in rural areas with lower risk associated with COVID-19.

“The gov­er­nor’s ord­er puts these small busi­nes­ses in an im­pos­si­ble po­si­tion,” state Sen. Scott New­man (R-Hutch­in­son) said. “These small busi­nes­ses, and their many hour­ly wage earn­ers, will un­doubt­ed­ly suf­fer be­cause of this ord­er.”

State Rep. Mary Franson (R-Al­ex­an­dri­a) questioned whether Walz even has the authority to order bars and restaurants to close, while raising concern over the disproportionate impact on small businesses.

“The Walmarts and Tar­gets of the world get to stay open,” she said on Twitter. “Small busi­ness, the back­bone of the ec­on­omy, is shut down.”

While members of both parties were able to quickly agree on a package with $200 million in spending to address COVID-19 concerns, the economic impact of closures has remained a sticking point for Republicans.

“I’ve had many people reach­ing out say­ing this is crip­pling us,” Gazelka said. “We don’t know if we can sur­vive if this hap­pens for any length of time.”

State Sen. An­drew Math­ews (R-Prince­ton) said a short-term closure could be survivable for many businesses, but the longer it goes, the harder it will hit businesses.

“If this drags on for weeks or months, I won­der if these ac­tions will cause last­ing dam­age,” he said.