Minnesota State Wire

Sounding a reluctance to extend the shutdown order, Sen. Jason Rarick questioned in a press release last week the Gov. Tim Walz's reasoning.

“It’s difficult to stomach yesterday’s stay-at-home order extension without knowing the exact numbers and modeling the governor is using," Rarick said in a release by the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.

Walz extended his stay-at-home Executive Order through May 4 without releasing data to the Legislature, explaining why the extension needs to be that long.  

"The public deserves to know better details on why they are being told to stay in for another month," Rarick said. "They don’t need to be protected; they need answers."

Rarick said he believes the state's low number of COVID-19 cases are due to communities across the state adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Major retailers that sell essential items have been able to operate safely and Rarick said businesses that have been forced to close down, due to the virus should be able to reopen and operate safely as well.  

Rarick said it is time to reopen Minnesota.

"I would have liked to see the governor follow in the footsteps of South Dakota and other states who have based their decisions off of population and I will continue pushing for a change," Rarick said.

Earlier last week, Rarick echoed the support voiced by Senate President Jeremy Miller granting special compensation for first responders.

Miller said he helped broker the agreement between the public employee unions and business groups that will provide safeguards for health care professionals, police officers, firefighters and other first responders if they contract COVID-19.  

The new law will make it easier for essential employees to collect workers' compensation if they contract the virus.  

"We hope it’s not needed, but it is vitally important for these heroes on the front lines to know that this policy is in place to help protect their health and safety during this difficult and uncertain time,” Miller said.

Rarick said he supports the agreement established for emergency workers' compensation.

"Our front-line workers certainly deserve ample support, especially since they are most at risk while performing their essential services," Rarick said. "The expedient decisions were made possible thanks to the hard work of Sen. Miller, the WCAC, and other stakeholders.”