Walz harming Minnesota

To the Editor:

Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Tim Walz unilaterally extending his emergency powers and imposing further harmful restrictions on Minnesota small businesses.

“More over-the-top, arbitrary decrees from Governor Walz. Instead of imposing more restrictions on Minnesotans and further bankrupting restaurants and bars, Governor Walz should do the right thing and give up emergency powers and work hand-in-hand with state legislators.

“Trust me, Governor Walz is ready to go after hospitals, small businesses, schools (and sports), and churches all over again. His track record is miserable and the data he uses to justify decisions are consistently overly pessimistic and grossly inaccurate.

“This latest move will not be widely popular, especially in southern Minnesota. These lockdowns are exactly the wrong way to deal with coronavirus and it’s a travesty for one person (who refuses to share power with the legislature) to micromanage our lives and livelihoods. This is what socialism looks like.

“Remember, roughly 70 percent of Minnesotans who have died from or with coronavirus are people in long-term care facilities. Pathetically, Minnesota leads the nation in this statistic.

“The Governor and his administration should do a better job protecting the most vulnerable, especially our elderly, and let those who are younger and healthier go about their business and utilize personal responsibility and best judgement.

“Coronavirus can absolutely be a serious ailment, but most have a 99.9 percent chance of full recovery. Meanwhile, lockdowns are causing all sorts of medical, economic, psychological and addiction problems that are not fully factored in by governors, like Walz, who keep imposing lockdowns.”

Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota’s First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family’s grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim’s father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota’s way of life.

Rep. Jim Hagedorn – R, (MN-01)

Blue Earth