An industry panel addressed workforce issues at the recent Grow Minnesota! Partnership Meeting held on February 22nd in Owatonna. Pictured are Beth Dienst, Human Resources Director, Viracon, Inc.-Owatonna., Rodney Gramse, Director of Operations, MRG Tool and Die Corp. -Faribault, and Tim Wenzel, President, Winegar, Inc.-Waseca. Legislative leaders shared their views at Session Priorities: (from left) Senate Majority Leader David Senjem, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, moderator Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV, House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk. Joe Swedberg (from left), Hormel Foods Corporation, moderated an exchange between Pat Shortridge (center) and Ken Martin during Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol. They are the respective chairs of the state Republican and Democratic parties. Mike Bromelkamp (left), Olsen Thielen & Co., Ltd., and Tom Hesse, Minnesota Chamber vice president of government affairs, testify at the Legislature in support of a bill to convert the sales tax refund program for capital equipment to an up-front exemption. Environmental and energy policies were center stage at this Insiders' Issue breakfast: (from left)  Deputy Commissioner Bill Grant, Department of Commerce Energy Division; Commissioner Paul Aasen, Pollution Control Agency; Senator John Carlson, R-Bemidji; Senator Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont. Leadership Minnesota participants received a private audience with Governor Mark Dayton during their wrap-up session for this program year. Leadership Minnesota is exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber and provides insight into the state's changing economy and the issues that will shape its future.


Twitter   LinkedIn   


  1. WHY
    JOIN?
  2. GERDAU REINVESTS
    IN ST. PAUL
  3. MEETING MINNESOTA'S
    WORKFORCE NEEDS
  4. REGIONAL
    MEETINGS
 

Help us shape your priorities!

Government may be divided, but the Minnesota Chamber remains united in our goal to strengthen the business environment and improve the lives of all Minnesotans. And we’re starting to formulate our priorities for next year – on time! Our work will be especially important with many new faces guaranteed to be seated in the 2013 Legislature due to redistricting. Every House and Senate member is up for re-election this November. Several incumbents are pitted against each other, and many lawmakers are retiring.

Two issues especially draw our attention:

  • Establish the Minnesota Chamber as a leader with respect to tax reform. We seek to develop a revenue-neutral plan that will improve the competitiveness of Minnesota businesses of all types and sizes, plus make the state’s revenue system more stable and predictable.
  • Establish the Minnesota Chamber as a leader with respect to higher ed reform. Employers, whether enjoying good times or bad times, are challenged to find skilled workers. We have an opportunity to distinguish Minnesota as the “skilled worker state.”

Our first step in developing legislative policies and priority issues begins with you. Your feedback will help to review and revise current policies, and, equally important, identify new issues that impact your ability to compete and expand your business in Minnesota. The meeting also will include a brief overview of the 2012 legislative session, and a quick look to the elections this fall.

We are here to listen. These sessions are one hour.  Please join us at a meeting near you.

 

 

This website is developed and owned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Any use or reprinting is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.