State Level Mask Requirement Likely Coming This Week
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Today the Legislature convenes for a
second special session that is required as Governor Tim Walz extends his peacetime emergency declaration as he continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Legislature also has some unfinished business from regular session, including a statewide projects financing (bonding) bill. In addition, justice and police reform, a tax bill and rebuilding from damage done to Minneapolis and St. Paul businesses appear on the list of intertwined issues
Last week the Walz administration told MnRA a statewide face covering order was coming, and since then the Governor appears to be contemplating whether or not such an order would be statewide or done on a more regional basis as COVID-19 cases rise and fall.
MnRA communicated that if the Governor puts face covering restrictions in place, retailers should not be the enforcers of the policy. In other states we have seen the potential dangers of retail workers being the enforcers of mask orders. Rather, retailers should be given clear direction on how to handle non-compliant individuals and any state order should take precedence over local orders.
As you will read in the next story, face coverings are a dividing issue when it comes to the opinions of Minnesotans. Also below is our recap of local restrictions.
How do you feel about face covering mandates? Take our poll below!
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Be left to the indivdual to decide.
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Be required but done at the local government level.
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Be required across the State.
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Be required by on a region-by-region basis based on metrics.
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See Our List Of Local Face Covering Requirements Plus Pending Communities
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Local units of government have taken action to require face coverings. Below is a digest of local actions.
Anticipated face covering actions
- Duluth - expected vote July 13: Face masks required in indoor public spaces.
- St. Cloud - expected vote July 20: Face masks required in public spaces.
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Face Masks Remain Symbol Of Division As Gov. Tim Walz Considers Mandate
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From the Star Tribune, Jessie Van Berkel, July 13, 2020
The partisan divide was apparent on the face of every Minnesota lawmaker gathered for the private meeting at the State Capitol in June.
It was the closing hours of the last special session and the group of dealmakers remained at odds on the intricacies of police reform. But before negotiations even began, there was a stark contrast: Every Democrat entered the room with a face covering; but not one Republican wore a mask.
The face mask — a basic item health officials consider a simple precaution against the spread of COVID-19 — has become a symbol of political division across the state and the nation.
Now, as Gov. Tim Walz mulls a statewide mask mandate, state and local government leaders are weighing their response. A decision could come in a matter of days, as state lawmakers return to St. Paul for another special session to consider his emergency powers.
“It’s another symptom of the political polarization that we have. The moment Trump said he didn’t want to wear a mask it became a big deal,” said Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, referring to President Donald Trump’s reluctance to wear a face covering. “A statewide mandate will probably encourage some people to wear a mask, but other people are going to ignore it,” added Garofalo, who has donned a mask at the Capitol.
On Saturday, the president publicly wore a mask for the first time during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
As COVID-19 cases have spiked elsewhere in the U.S., mask wearing has shot to a record high. A national Gallup poll from late June found 86% of adults reported using one in the previous week. That’s up from 51% in April.
If Walz does opt for a mandate, Minnesota would join Democratic and Republican governors of more than 20 other states that have required masks in public. In Minnesota, a number of cities from Minneapolis to Winona have already enacted local requirements.
But there is resistance to a statewide mandate.
Lake of the Woods County Commissioner Cody Hasbargen said he doesn’t want to see a one-size-fits-all mandate for masks. His county is the only one in the state where there has yet to be a confirmed case of COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon.
“Greater Minnesota is different than the cities, and it would be nice to have the ability to adapt something like that,” he said. It’s unclear how Walz would apply or enforce a mandate, and Hasbargen said enforcement would be challenging in spread-out communities like his.
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Deals Remain Elusive As Minnesota Lawmakers Set To Start New Special Session
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From KSTP, July 13, 2020
The Minnesota Legislature convenes Monday for its second special session of the year with few public signs of lawmakers and the governor being close to deals on the big issues of police accountability and public construction.
When Democratic Gov. Tim Walz formally called the special session Friday, he urged Republicans and Democrats to work together for deals on policing and infrastructure projects. "Our state had a trying few months, and we need the Legislature to rise to the occasion and get things done to help Minnesotans rebuild and recover," he said in a statement.
But the challenge is akin to threading multiple moving needles because the issues are so interconnected, with different power centers competing. The various sides have kept talking since last month's session ended in partisan rancor. But there isn't a lot of urgency to compromise just yet. That's because legislators could be back in another month anyway for yet another special session. Here's a look at the key issues in play:
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
The House Democratic and Senate Republican majorities appeared to be far apart late last week on a package of police accountability measures in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on Memorial Day. Democrats are still pushing for a sweeping slate proposed by the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus. Senate Republicans were willing to pass a more limited set of changes that included a ban on the use of chokeholds and requiring officers to intervene if they see a colleague using excessive force, but rejected several other Democratic proposals.
BONDING
A borrowing package to fund public construction projects across the state, known as a bonding bill, was at the top of the Legislature's agenda this year before the coronavirus crowded it out. The bill has yet to recover its lost momentum, though leaders have agreed on a cap of $1.35 billion that may include money for rebuilding parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul damaged in the unrest after Floyd's death.
Passing a bonding bill requires a three-fifths majority in each chamber. Getting that supermajority requires at least some House Republican and Senate Democratic votes. And that's where reaching deals gets really complicated.
EMERGENCY POWERS
The governor first invoked his emergency powers during the regular session, which ended May 18. He can keep extending them in 30-day increments. But each time he does so he must summon lawmakers back so they get the chance to rescind his powers. That's why he had to call this special session. Republican efforts to void his special authority failed last month, and will as long as Democrats hold the House. Walz presumably will have to call his third special session of 2020 next month if he intends to keep those powers.
WILD CARDS
Senate Republicans are already framing policing issues for the fall campaign with hearings on the damage that ensued amid the protests over Floyd's death. Democrats, meanwhile, announced an ad campaign Friday targeting potentially vulnerable Senate Republicans over policing. Democrats need a net gain of just two seats to take control of the Senate.
House Republicans announced Friday that they'll try to push legislation during the special session to give local school districts authority to decide for themselves whether to reopen as usual this fall, use distance learning again or some hybrid of the two models. GOP Rep. Sondra Erickson, of Princeton, said they're ready to try to force a floor fight.
It wasn't clear Friday how long this special session will last. While governors have the power to call lawmakers back, each chamber decides when to adjourn.
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Minneapolis Mayor Frey Discussed Plan To Fight Crime: Watch The Recording Now
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All Minneapolis businesses were invited to attend a crime plan briefing & conversation addressing the recent uptick in activities impacting businesses, retailers and neighborhoods last Thursday with Mayor Jacob Frey. Over 400 businesses per-registered for the briefing.
MnRA thanks these event partners:
Minneapolis Regional Chamber, Southwest Business Association, MetroIBA, Warehouse District Business Association, Lake Street Council, Uptown Association, Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, East Town Business Partnership, NuLoop Partners, Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association, Hospitality Minnesota & others.
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Save The Date: Retail Rally Returns October 7 With Industry-Leading Speakers & Awards
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MnRA's popular TED-talk styled education and award event returns on October 7, only in a virtual format!
Save the date for
Retail Rally as we change the way retailers and their key business partners engage with today's consumer! At this event you will hear six 20 minute practical, game-changing, cutting edge retail innovations strategies and ideas. In addition we will honor several organizations as "Minnesota's Retail Champions".
Watch your e-mail for more details on speakers soon!
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Retailers Say Credit Insurance Plan Could Increase Liquidity During Pandemic Downturn
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From the National Retail Federation, July 10, 2020
Retailers say credit insurance plan could increase liquidity during pandemic downturn
The National Retail Federation welcomed a report released this week calling for a federal backstop for trade credit insurance, saying the proposal could help provide liquidity badly needed by retailers as they recover from the recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
“With retailers already ordering merchandise for the holiday season, vendors need guarantees that they’re going to be paid regardless of the volatility of the current economy,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. “Trade credit insurance normally provides that guarantee, but it has become increasingly difficult to obtain. This proposal would solve that problem and help retailers make sure they have the inventory they need for a successful holiday season.”
“We support a backstop for trade credit insurance, but a swift response is essential and the congressional calendar is already strained,” French said. “While Congress considers this proposal, we have asked the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve to move forward with a short-term, federally backed loan facility that could be enacted almost overnight. Doing so would provide the immediate cash flow retailers need right now and would support a return to normal trade terms and normal business operations.”
Trade credit insurance is widely used by vendors supplying industries ranging from airlines to retailers to guarantee payment for products sold on credit, protecting $600 billion in sales each year.
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Back-To-School Spending Holds Steady This Year At $28.1B
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From the Retail Dive, Hill, Nathaniel Weixel, July 2, 2020
This year's back-to-school spending will be flat year over year at $28.1 billion, or $529 per household, according to Deloitte's back-to-school surveys. Households expect to spend $1,345 on average for back-to-college shoppers.
Ongoing worries about the COVID-19 outbreak have back-to-school shoppers expecting retailers to offer not only good prices and convenience but also safety, according to the reports, which were emailed to Retail Dive.
Some 37% of back-to-school budgets is going online, up from 29% last year. Half of those shoppers want buy online, pick up in-store options, up from 36%. Staying at home is a blow to mobile, though, as 64% will shop from their computers, up from 42% in 2019. In all, some $12.2 billion will be spent in store, $10.4 billion online, with $5.5 billion still up in the air, according to Deloitte.
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Survey: Retailers Should Prepare For A Busy Holiday Shopping Season — Online
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From Chain Store Age, Marisanne Wilson, July 9, 2020
COVID-19 hasn’t impacted consumers’ holiday spending plans but it has affected how they intend to shop.
That’s according to a consumer insights survey by Radial, which found that shoppers do not plan to significantly change their holiday spend compared to 2019. The data also revealed a stronger preference for online shopping, with 66% of shoppers anticipating they will increase their online purchases during the 2020 holiday season.
The survey found that 60% of consumers plan to shop less in-store this season due to fear of COVID-19 exposure. While there is still an appetite for in-store shopping, safety concerns and deeper familiarity with online ordering indicated that e-commerce will certainly see higher activity than in previous years, according to Radial, which surveyed 1,000-plus U.S. consumers on their holiday shopping plans.
The survey also found that what is considered a reasonable timeframe for holiday gift deliveries has shifted, with 50% of respondents saying five days for delivery is reasonable, and 28% stating one week was acceptable. Only 14% expect their holiday gifts within two days compared to a 2018 Radial survey in which 34.6% expected to receive packages in two days or less.
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Online Resource For Retailers Amid COVID-19
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A strong retail community is important during all seasons, but especially in times of uncertainty such as the conditions surrounding COVID-19.
MnRA has a resource page for retailers on our website relation to COVID-19.
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