releases: https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-1122020
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-1122020 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 11/2/2020 | 2020-11-02 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Groundbreaking ceremony for the Ag Innovation Campus in CROOKSTON Dear Friends, I traveled to Thief River Falls to visit the Pennington County Justice Center. I spoke with County officials and presented the Board with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol for their new facility. On Thursday, I participated in a town hall meeting with members of the Association of Mature American Citizens on various issues facing western Minnesota. I shared some of my ideas for improving rural healthcare and my support for social security. After years of efforts and litigation, the Administration has a new rule that returns decisions about the management of the gray wolf population to the states. For years I advocated on behalf of livestock producers and sportsmen in the district who would directly benefit from the delisting of gray wolves and I am pleased with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision. COVID-19 is still a real danger and it is ripping through our region with record high daily numbers of new cases being reported. I was contacted about a crisis situation facing the McIntosh Senior Living facility and am doing what I can to see they get assistance, but I know more support is needed. We need the Senate to act on a COVID relief bill. They haven't done so since April, and a lot has happened since then. We've had more cases and we also know a lot more about the situation. These assisted living facilities shouldn't have to go through this alone, and they need the full support of the federal government. The CARES Act was a good step, but that was this past spring, and now we're headed into fall and winter, and we need to be ready for what's coming. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Pennington County's New Justice Center Presenting American Flag flown over the United States Capitol to Board Chairman Tveitbakk I met with the Pennington County Board to present a new American Flag that was flown over the United States Capitol for their recently re-developed county justice center. Darryl Tveitbakk, Board Chairman, and other board members walked me through their facility. The new addition contains a 90-inmate jail, county court rooms, judge chambers, law and record library, and other office facilities with the latest technology. Town Hall Meeting On Thursday, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) hosted a virtual town hall where I answered questions from AMAC members in the 7th district. We discussed COVID-19, social security, healthcare, and other issues that are important to seniors. AMAC has about 7,000 members in western Minnesota so I was glad to have the chance to hear from them and answer their questions. Gray Wolf Recovery in Minnesota Tracking gray wolves on a pasture in Northern Minnesota June 2020 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule returning management of gray wolf populations to the States. Federal protections under the Endangered Species Act restored strong gray wolf populations years ago and this rule appropriately returns the authority to manage wolf populations and prevent livestock losses to State governments. For years, I have called for this change on behalf of livestock owners and rural communities in Minnesota. This announcement is welcome by agriculture and sportsmen alike: Mike Landuyt, President Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association - "The Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association is excited for the announcement of the delisting of the Gray Wolf. Under the management of the Department of Natural Resources and continued support from Congressman Peterson, the Gray Wolf has successfully exceeded recovery population numbers. The management of the Gray Wolf is now in the hands of state officials who can best manage the population to benefit beef and livestock producers, as well as Gray Wolf habitat in our state. Thank you, Representative Peterson, for listening to our members' needs and leading this effort." Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau President - "Chairman Peterson has tirelessly advocated on behalf of farmers and ranchers to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of the Chairman to make sure that this issue stayed at the forefront and solutions are found to return the management of gray wolves back to the states. Today's announcement by the federal government is great news for farmers and ranchers in Minnesota. Gary Wertish, President of Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) - "I want to thank Chairman Peterson for his work to delist the grey wolf in Minnesota. It's important for Minnesota Farmers Union, because many of our family farmer members have lost livestock to wolves. This hurts farmers' bottom line and also often takes an emotional toll, to see an animal you care for get taken and feel like you can't do much about it. It's good to see the administration following Chairman Peterson's lead in returning management to the state." John Dvorak, Past President of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Past ASI Region III Director - "The Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers are thankful for this long overdue news on delisting gray wolves. Thank you to Congressman Peterson for his leadership and diligence on this important issue for the sheep and cattle industries in Minnesota and across the country." Craig Engwall, Executive Director, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association - "MDHA is pleased that the Fish and Wildlife Service has delisted the gray wolf again and greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Peterson and Stauber in returning wolf management to Minnesota. The wolf has met all recovery goals in Minnesota for decades and Minnesota DNR has shown that it can responsibly manage a wolf season. It is now time for DNR to begin the planning process for implementing a wolf season in 2021." Gray wolf populations have exceeded federal recovery goals, and state management will only improve the relationship between wolves, wildlife, and people. Minnesota successfully managed its wolves when the Obama Administration delisted the gray wolf in 2011. That rule was unfortunately struck down in 2014 by a legal challenge brought before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In June, I joined federal wildlife officials to search for wolves that killed six calves on a pasture in Northern Minnesota. It can often be difficult to get compensation for cattle that have been killed by wolves. When evaluating livestock losses like these, I think we should trust farmers more and base the decision on whether to offset farmers' losses on their word and the evidence at hand. Click here to read more about the delisting of the gray wolf. Ag Innovation Campus groundbreaking in Crookston Agriculture leaders and elected officials at the Ag Innovation Campus groundbreaking ceremony In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature approved $5 million toward the Ag Innovation Campus (AIC) and it was signed by Governor Walz. The 67,000-square-foot soybean crushing facility in Crookston will allow universities, commodity groups, and private developers access to affordable processing that aims to lower costs while also promoting the growth of value-added products. In the last 20 years, soybean production has increased more than 300% in Northwest Minnesota and the AIC will be a great addition to our booming district. The Ag Innovation Center is projected to be in operation in October 2021. For more information contact AIC director Drew Lyon at 507-995-9495 or email him at (dlyon@mnsoybean.com). Questionnaire Results In last week's questionnaire, South Korea (pop. 51.6 million) reported a fraction of the Coronavirus deaths as North Dakota (760 thousand) yet South Korea has a 194% difference in population. I asked if you think our Federal Administration should be studying best practices of countries like South Korea which had and controlled Coronavirus outbreaks, this is what you said. I also asked for your thoughts on mask usage. The University of Washington projects that by mid-January, 359,493 Americans will have died from the Coronavirus. The University of Washington's model also projects that 52,000 fewer deaths would happen by Inauguration Day on January 20th if we can achieve 95% mask usage in public places (as has been done in Singapore). I asked if you think Americans could match the mask usage rate of Singapore, this is what you said. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota, visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic. The MDH has also announced that Minnesotans in two dozen counties or tribal nations are now able to order a free at-home saliva test. For more information, visit COVID-19 Test at Home. COVID-19 Community Testing Fergus Falls Armory 421 E Cecil Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Wednesday, November 4: 2 - 6 p.m. Thursday, November 5: 12 - 6 p.m. Fergus Falls Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Pipestone Armory 421 2nd Ave SW Pipestone, MN 56164 Wednesday, November 4: 2 - 6 p.m. Thursday, November 5: 12 - 6 p.m. Pipestone Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing Moorhead Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center 10 Fourth Ave South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Wednesday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs. Safe Voting Tomorrow is Election Day, protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, maintaining at least six feet apart from others, and if possible, vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning. The risk of voting in person is comparable to going to the grocery store. If you requested an absentee ballot and have not sent it back yet, you can drop it off in-person at your local county election office or nearest ballot drop-off location. If you mailed your absentee ballot back, track your ballot to ensure it has been counted. Visit Safe Voting: COVID-19 for more information. Click here for more information on Election Day voting. Newsstand Five Tips for MN Business: SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Photo courtesy of the Small Business Association The Small Business Association (SBA) released five tips that Minnesota small business owners should know about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. Minnesota has over 102,00 forgivable PPP loans valued at approximately $11.3 billion, learn how PPP loan forgiveness can help your small business. 1. PPP loan forgiveness is applied for through a lender, not the SBA. Borrowers can download PPP loan forgiveness applications from SBA's website and then submit it with the required information to the lender that provided them with a forgivable PPP loan. Lenders have up to 60 days to review a PPP loan forgiveness application and the SBA has up to 90 days to review the forgiveness application once it's received from the lender. The SBA remits the amount forgiven to the lender, who must process the forgiveness payment before notifying the PPP borrower of the amount. 2. Approximately 69% of Minnesota's PPP borrowers are eligible for a simplified PPP loan forgiveness application that can take as little as 15 minutes to complete. 3. Businesses still need to document PPP loan money was spent on eligible expenses. Since a key part of forgiveness for PPP loans is using the money for eligible expenses, borrowers need to provide documentation, including verification of payroll and non-payroll expenses, with the forgiveness application as required by the CARES Act. 4.The SBA has already started remittance to lenders. The SBA began approving PPP loan forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to lenders for PPP borrowers on Oct. 2, 2020. 5. Help is available for the forgiveness process and recovery plans. To ease small businesses through the forgiveness process and empower them to confidently move their business forward, the SBA has set up a recovery hub at www.sba.gov/recovery with essential details, resiliency tips and connections to local assistance. SBA's Resource Partner Network which includes Minnesota Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Mentors, Women's Business Centers, and the Veterans Business Outreach Center also provides one-on-one business advising and technical assistance to small businesses at no- or low-cost. IRS Dependent EIP Reminder The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the deadline to file for a $500 Economic Impact Payment (EIP) for qualifying dependents. Use the IRS Non-Filers Tool before Saturday, November 21 to receive an EIP. This includes federal beneficiaries who already received an EIP but did not receive a supplemental $500 payment for qualifying children. Deadline to request: Saturday, November 21, 2:00 p.m. CT. MNsure Open Enrollment Photo courtesy of MNsure The MNsure open enrollment period is now open for 2021 coverage. Act now, open enrollment runs November 1 through December 22 for coverage beginning on January 1, 2021. Nearly 66,000 Minnesotans in the Seventh District benefited directly from the Affordable Care Act. All plans sold through MNsure include comprehensive coverage so your family is covered, no matter what the future may hold. Go to MNsure.org for more information. Library of Congress: Through a Glass Darkly Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Discover what the Library of Congress has to offer from your own home. Virtually explore the Rare Book and Special Collection Division's Through a Glass Darkly: Frederick Hockley, Harry Houdini, and the Quest for Knowledge. Learn more about the differing lives of oculist, Frederick Hockley, and spiritual skeptic, Harry Houdini, and their quest for knowledge and truth. Event details: Virtual Event Link Thursday, November 12, 2020, 2:00 p.m. CT Meeting number (access code): 199 974 0579 Meeting password: Houdini@LC-123 Join by phone @ +1-510-210-8882 WebEx Virtual Room will open 15 minutes prior to start time This Week in History Photo courtesy of the Farmers' Almanac In January 1845, Congress mandated a uniform date for Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. But why Tuesday? And why November? During the late 19th century, most worked as farmers in rural areas. Busy in the spring with planting, harvest in the fall, and travel difficulty in the winter months, left early November as the best time of year for most voters. Congress chose the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November so there was no interference with church on Sunday and market day for farmers on Wednesday. With Election Day on a Tuesday, rural voters had Monday to travel to their polling place. Remember the history of this civic holiday as you vote this year! Views from the 7th Chilly morning at Maple Lake near MENTOR | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |