Talks Stall On Aid For Lake Mille Lacs Resorts
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Despite agreeing that there's a need to do something, lawmakers have stalled on talks to help the struggling Lake Mille Lacs area.
Legislators and state officials agree resorts and other businesses need help after the state closed walleye fishing early this month. But, many lawmakers say they don't want to hold a special session.
Right now, there are no plans for future meetings.
On Friday, the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council released a statement, which expressed thoughts on the Mille Lacs Working Group and their disappointment with the stalled talks.
"We believe the Mille Lacs Lake working group was a good opportunity for resort owners and other affected businesses to make their voices heard with area legislators, key committee chairs and members of Governor Dayton's cabinet. On behalf of area businesses and the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council, we are disheartened that these conversations have abruptly come to a halt without any sense that the State of Minnesota has the ability or desire to take action. Our hope and vision is for the working group to continue our collaborative work to quickly deliver much needed economic relief through loan programs, property tax abatements and promotional assistance available to our region, and to our businesses who wish to seek it."
Gov. Mark Dayton says he hoped to hold a special session to pass an aid package next week.