WINONA, Minn. – State Representative Gene Pelowski is worried whether the state can afford the COVID aid legislation being worked up by the governor and a handful of legislators. Pelowski, D-Winona, a 24-year veteran legislator, said there hasn’t been enough information about what’s being drafted for intelligent feedback. The Legislature is expected to convene December 14 to take up the aid package. In an interview on radio station KWNO, Pelowski said: “There’s been an attempt here I think to make this some type of overall omnibus budget bill, and frankly the resources aren’t there and the time isn’t there.” Pelowski agrees that aid is needed. “We need to do something,” he said, but “let us get into regular session, then let the Biden Administration begin to work on how big a federal stimulus would be.”
Pelowski. State needs to wait on COVID aid until after January 20, when President Biden is in office and can move on federal assistance.