Drazkowski Votes Against COVID-19 Relief, Received PPP Loan For His Business | New

A shoe company owned by State Representative Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, was among companies in Minnesota that received a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, according to data released Tuesday by the Small Business Administration.

Ron-San, Inc., a Winona shoe store that operates as Baker Shoes, received $ 5,800. Loans are low interest and forgivable as long as they are used to keep workers employed.

Drazkowski, who is listed as the owner and officer of the company, has strongly criticized government spending to help Minnesota businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic.

Drazkowski is part of the New House Republicans House Caucus, a four-member group that promotes smaller government.

In May, he voted against a $ 208 million COVID-19 financial assistance plan the legislature approved that provided assistance, including $ 55 million in emergency small business loans.

During the indoor debate on this package, Drazkowski introduced an amendment to remove Gov. Tim Walz from his salary during the declared peacetime emergency due to the pandemic. (The measurement failed.)

Drazkowski hung up on a reformist journalist, saying: “The businesses of lawmakers have been hit as hard as any other business by the actions of this governor. That’s all I have to say today.

He also asked, “Aren’t there better stories to follow? “