SE Twin Cities

Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee Chairman Eric Pratt issued a statement reaffirming his office's and House Republicans' commitment to helping small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic and state-mandated lockdowns and restrictions. 

“On the day Gov. Tim Walz announced he was once again closing businesses I was emphatic that we needed to help businesses and employees weather this lockdown. Minnesotans elected a divided government expecting we would work together, so I am disappointed that once again Gov. Walz chose to work on a plan only with the House DFL instead of reaching across the aisle," Pratt said.

Pratt, along with other Republicans in the state, seems to be disappointed with the lack of bipartisanship when seeking solutions to the pandemic. 

“Senate Republicans are committed to helping small businesses and their employees through this crisis. I had hoped the governor would have worked with us behind the scenes so we could have presented one unified, compromise plan instead of competing proposals, but that will not affect our resolve to work for the best interests of Minnesotans. We are continuing to work with stakeholders every day to figure out what their needs are, and I anticipate our plan will be unveiled in the coming days," he said.