Advocacy Update & Action Alert: Join us Thursday, April 30
The Lake Street Council, working closely with our community partners MCCD and the MN CDFI Coalition, continues to press the case for emergency small business relief funding at the Capitol in St. Paul. Several bills have been introduced at the state legislature that would allocate funds to help business owners offset revenue losses related to recent federal immigration enforcement.
The Senate is moving SF4535, which would create a $100 million forgivable loan program to provide critical support for small businesses. The House has heard HF 4477, but given the 68-68 tie in the Minnesota House, it has not been able to advance a similar package.
Please reach out to your state elected officials and let them know they must pass small business relief before the end of the session (Sunday, May 17, 2026).
If you have a story to tell about how your business was impacted by this federal surge, please share it as you reach out. Find out who represents you here.
Allies and business leaders showed their support this week for Minnesota’s Somali community at a Monday morning rally in the rotunda. They then headed upstairs to chat with key lawmakers from the Senate and House chambers and receive updates on efforts to secure funding in this year’s session.
Advocacy efforts continue, and another rally is set in support of Asian Minnesotans at the state capitol. Join us this Thursday, April 30, 2026 to keep pushing for small business relief at the Minnesota legislature. Small businesses across our state are still struggling with lost revenue and workforce shortages due to federal immigration enforcement efforts earlier this year.
The economic impacts experienced by Lake Street businesses are reflected in new data that was just released by the U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) at the University of California San Diego:
That study surveyed 489 businesses in Minneapolis and found that collectively, restaurant and small business revenue losses likely exceeded $444 million
72% of those businesses reported a decrease in customer traffic due to Operation Metro Surge
Over 66% reported that customers had been avoiding their commercial areas due to fear of federal DHS agents
More than half of those businesses reported negative impacts on their workers
The study also estimated more than $189 million in lost wages as a result of encounters with DHS agents and prolonged fears of harassment by those agents
We are calling on state legislators to provide meaningful relief to our businesses – state grants are better than loans, we can’t keep asking local entrepreneurs to take on more debt!
There are two opportunities for you to join us on this Thursday, April 30:
Rally in the Rotunda: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Thursday is Asian Minnesotan Day at the Capitol. Join us in supporting our Asian American community & business owners at a morning rally. Located at the Minnesota State Capitol, First Floor Rotunda (entry located just below the long steps on the south side of the Capitol).
Talk to Lawmakers: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
We need to convince Minnesota lawmakers to support small businesses in their districts and all across Minnesota before the legislative session ends. We will engage lawmakers as they step out from the Senate & House Floors and discuss our local business needs. Located at the Minnesota State Capitol, Second Floor (Look for small business signs).
If you unsure about speaking with lawmakers, not to worry — we can help! We will have signs for you to hold and talking points to share with lawmakers.