Member Update
April 16, 2020
What's Inside:
Campground Clarification
Alcohol to Go
CALL TO ACTION: Additional Funds for PPP
Senate Tax Proposals
Additional UI Clarification
Crow Wing County Property Tax
Rumor Control
In the News
Campground Clarification
Given the continued confusion among guests, operators and local governments around campground operations during the stay-at-home order, we continue to push for clarification from the Department of Employment and Economic Development. 
Alcohol to Go
Today, the  Minnesota Senate, on a 65-2 vote , passed  a bill to allow alcohol to go  from restaurants offering take out during the closure. CEO Liz Rammer testified before the House Commerce Committee, advancing our support for the measure. It is expected that the bill will go to the House floor on Friday and if, as anticipated, it passes, Governor Walz has indicated his willingness to sign it. Minnesota will join roughly 20 other states that have approved alcohol to go measures.
CALL TO ACTION: Additional Funds for PPP
Write your Members of Congress  and tell them the PPP needs additional funding now!   

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has reached the $350 billion cap on its funding set by Congress in the  CARES Act By law, the SBA is no longer able to issue new loan approvals.  The PPP is vital to retaining employees and keeping our industry's small businesses solvent. Congress must put partisan arguments aside and work together to save our industry!  We urge you to join us in asking Congress to act NOW and reauthorize funds, so the SBA can continue to provide relief to Americans across the country.
Senate Tax Proposals
Today the  Senate tax committee heard a bill  that proposes to:
  • Delay the state levy portion of property tax payments to July 15; 
  • Delay individual and business tax filings (including estimated payments) to July 15; 
  • Suspend the June accelerated sales tax payment until July 20; and 
  • Place a moratorium on property class changes to vacation rentals utilized by some resorts till 2021
Additional UI Clarification
In the earliest days of the crisis, owners and operators focused first on securing relief for their employees. That strong advocacy has resulted in swift support for laid off workers. Both the requirements of the PPP loans and the prospect of opening have created an unintended consequence. Some employers are reporting that workers, concerned about their health and experiencing the support intended by the UI response, are expressing reluctance about coming back to work before their benefits run out.  The letter of the law is clear. The spirit is more challenging for a long-term employee you want to bring back. 
 
DEED Commissioner Steve Grove has confirmed that generally employees who are offered their jobs back need to go back to work.  His staff followed up directly with us, citing the following provision: 
 
(a) An applicant is ineligible for all unemployment benefits for eight calendar weeks if the applicant, without good cause: 
(1) failed to apply for available, suitable employment of which the applicant was advised by the commissioner or an employer; 
(2) failed to accept suitable employment when offered; or 
(3) avoided an offer of suitable employment. 
 
There are some exceptions, discussed in this  MinnPost article , for people who are isolated due to COVID-19 or who are unable to find alternative care for children whose schools have been closed.
Crow Wing County Property Tax
The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a proposed property tax hardship penalty waiver process due to COVID-19 for the 2020 Tax Year. The goal is to target homeowners where someone in the family has been laid off or business owners that were forced to close by Executive Order of the Governor related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualifying residents and business owners will have late fees penalties waived for properties until July 15th, 2020, which would effectively extend the deadline for their first half property taxes, which would otherwise be due on May 15. Find more information or apply here. Direct further questions to Land Services at 218-824-1010 or landservices@crowwing.us
 
If you have information on other county property tax deliberations, please email  ben@hospitalitymn.com  or  info@hospitalitymn.com
Rumor Control
Wondering about the validity of a COVID-19 claim? Two federal agencies have posted rumor control pages to their web sites to provide clear, reliable information to keep rumors at bay:

In the News
PPP Funding Exhausted  | Wall Street Journal 
Eight-Weeks of Relief is Not Enough  | Washington Post 
Minnesota Joins Midwest States  | Twin Cities Pioneer Press 
When Can You Open? Give Feedback  | Rochester Post Bulletin    
Wisconsin Safer at Home Order Extended   | Duluth News Tribune 
Our Member Updates are generally sent to members only. In the interest of public health and the health of our industry, we encourage you to share this update widely. Additional resources can be found on our  website  and through our social media posts on   Facebook , LinkedIn  and  Twitter .