Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, July 4
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Business»Rep. Phillips named to small business committee, meets with local business owners
    Business

    Rep. Phillips named to small business committee, meets with local business owners

    Brad CanhamBy Brad CanhamJanuary 30, 20213 Mins Read
    Third District Congressman Dean Phillips

    Asking that attendees “please share ideas” 3rd Congressional District U.S. Representative Dean Phillips engaged with business owners in a wide-ranging video call on January 29, 2021.

    Just the day before, on January 28, 2021, Rep. Phillips announced he was named to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business where he is also chairing the Investigation, Oversight, and Regulations Subcommittee.   

    Pat Mulqueeny, President of the Eden Prairie Chamber questioned the current rules which tax Paycheck Protection Program (PPE) loans at both the state and federal level. Rep. Phillips responded that he prefers “consistency” between federal and state government taxes on the issue and noted “It defeats the purpose of the program when we’re taxing an emergency benefit.”

    Mulqueeny asked about the likelihood of a COVID-related  federal shutdown impacting businesses. Rep. Phillips noted he hoped there was no need to have a federally mandated.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    “I don’t expect any federal shutdown mandates, even if things somehow got bad again” said Rep. Phillips, noting he didn’t think a shutdown was the strategy being pursued by the Biden Administration.

    The Biden Administration’s strategy, said Rep. Phillips, is to get people vaccinated “fast” in order to avoid economic impacts. To that end, the single-dose vaccine today announced by Johnson and Johnson “is huge, huge for all of us in business and otherwise” said Rep. Phillips.

    Ann Schuster, owner of  Smith Coffee and Café in Eden Prairie advocated the need to further prioritize vaccination of restaurant, retail, and grocery workers. Schuster noted these workers are exposed to the general public and experience increased infection risks as well as economic stress due to reduced working hours. Restaurants have been restricted to 50% or less capacity since March 17, 2020, said Schuster.

    In response, Phillips said he was  “dismayed with slow rollouts, pitfalls, and communication problems” inherited from the former Trump administration. At the core of the problem is a “lack of access to the vaccinations themselves,” said Rep. Phillips.

     “I don’t want to relitigate the past” but what the Biden Administration inherited was an “unmitigated disaster,” according to Rep. Phillips, “but it is being corrected.”

     As a co-founder of the Penny’s Coffee shops located in Wayzata and Minneapolis, Phillips said he had  brought the issue of “ramping up” vaccinations of more people to Minnesota Governor Walz’s staff and others. Phillips also noted that there are different rationales for prioritizing  vaccinations, but that healthcare workers, teachers, older folks who are more susceptible “have got to be first in line.”

     “I think vaccinations are going to be ramping up considerably,” said Rep. Phillips “so every Minnesotan who wants one will be able to receive them.”

    Phillips stated that supporting small business was an issue in which there was “ bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats.” According to the Small Business Administration Minnesota’s Third Congressional District has more small businesses – generating payroll in excess of $11.2billion annually – than any other District in the state.

    A recording of the full video call discussion is available here.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleProposed 2021-22 school calendar changed to avoid Rosh Hashanah
    Next Article SWLRT construction through February 11

    More to READ

    7 Mins Read

    After violent deaths, children of Hortmans pray for peace at parents’ funeral 

    June 29, 2025
    4 Mins Read

    U.S. House approves resolution denouncing Minnesota shootings, political violence

    June 26, 2025
    5 Mins Read

    Brazin no more: Chef-owner leans into rustic flavors at Kevin’s Italian Bistro

    June 23, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Peter Olin, who led Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for 24 years, dies at 87

    July 3, 2025

    Camp Eden Wood eyes site improvements while celebrating 100-year history

    July 3, 2025

    Eden Prairie sting leads to 10 felony charges, two cases pending

    July 3, 2025

    ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ makes for a case for the franchise’s extinction

    July 2, 2025

    Let the sparks – and sauces – fly: Eden Prairie’s July 4 celebration brings back the flavor and flair

    July 2, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Gold Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.