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The Senate's top Republican doesn't like the stay-home order. “I do not approve of the governor’s unilateral decision to continue the order to shelter at home until May 4. We have to get on with our lives," Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, tweeted Thursday, in what was among Republican's first harsh critiques of Gov. Tim Walz's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walz is sticking with his plan, though. “I want people back to work as bad as anyone,” but decisions have to be driven by evidence and expert guidance, Walz said. “I'm tired of this. I’m frustrated by this. My heart breaks for the people who are worried about their economic well-being ... but you can’t get frustrated, go on a hunch and throw caution to the wind and pretend that our neighbors’ lives are somehow disposable.”
In Washington, Senate Dems are blocking Republicans' $250 million small-business aid plan. NPR has more : "Congressional Republicans and the White House want to increase the total amount of loans available through the Paycheck Protection Program from $350 billion to $600 billion. Democrats do not object to the increase in funding, but they are calling for half of the new money to be targeted to 'community-based financial institutions' which they say help businesses owned by minorities, veterans and rural Americans across the country." Meanwhile, jobless claims are continuing to skyrocket. Again, NPR reports: "The number of people seeking unemployment benefits shot up again last week, as 6.6 million more people filed initial claims, the Labor Department said Thursday. About 16.8 million have filed in the past three weeks, and analysts expect the numbers to keep rising." Joe Biden's campaign is going digital in what it's calling a "virtual ropeline." The AP reports: "Like the rest of the country, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is stuck at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But amid growing concerns that he's missing opportunities to build enthusiasm around his campaign, the former vice president is stepping up his efforts to connect with voters."
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