Manufacturing Voice E-newsletter

February 2008

March 6 -- Manufacturing Roundtables feature Governor, Commissioner
The Minnesota Chamber and the Manufacturing Coalition are hosts to a series of roundtable discussions with Governor Tim Pawlenty and Commissioner Dan McElroy, Department of Employment and Economic Development. Also participating in the sessions is David Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber and current chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees (MnSCU).

These sessions will provide a great opportunity for you to share your successes and challenges with these state leaders. With the Legislature in full swing, you will have a chance to learn firsthand the priorities of the Pawlenty Administration. Commissioner McElroy will report highlights of the recently completed manufacturing skills gap survey as well. Learn about MnSCU's efforts to focus more strongly on its employer customers, especially manufacturers. We have specifically set aside time to listen to your issues as well, so this will be an interactive session. Please join us.

Meetings are scheduled for Brainerd, Rochester and South St. Paul. Please see the schedule below and make a reservation by contacting Lisa Engdahl at lengdahl@mnchamber.com; (651) 292-4699 or (800) 821-2230.

Manufacturing Roundtables

8:30 a.m. -- Brainerd, Wausau Paper, 1801 Mill Avenue
Noon -- Rochester, Domaille Engineering, LLC, 7100 Dresser Drive N.E.
3:30 p.m. -- South St. Paul, Waterous Company, 125 Hardman Avenue

Business Day at the Capitol, March 5
Visit with your legislators March 5 at Business Day at the Capitol and share your business challenges in person. There is no more effective way to make an impact on the issues that shrink your bottom line than to do so face-to-face with our state policy-makers. Health care costs, transportation funding and a growing budget deficit with an uncertain economy will top the list of issues for businesses participating in this event. Visit our Web site, www.mnchamber.com, for more information about Business Day at the Capitol and how you can participate.

Manufacturing members invited to participate in Coalition meetings
The Minnesota Manufacturing Coalition operates as a committee of the Minnesota Chamber. Manufacturing members are encouraged to attend meetings and become involved. The Coalition is focused on addressing workforce, recruitment and training needs of manufacturers, among other issues.

The next meeting of the Coalition is set for 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. April 2 at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 400 Robert Street North, Suite 1500, St. Paul. The agenda will include a discussion with Mary Rothchild, assistant director of strategic partnerships & workforce development, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, about the system's efforts to provide greater access and services to Minnesota manufacturers. MnSCU's goal is to be your first call for workforce needs! Confirm your attendance to Lisa Engdahl at lengdahl@mnchamber.com; (651) 292-4699 or (800) 821-2230.

Legislative session under way
The sputtering state economy promises to provide the backdrop for the 2008 Legislature which convened at an unusually quick pace last week. The session promises to have no lack of funding requests, but money is certain to be tight. State economists, in their November 2007 forecast, projected a $373 million shortfall for the biennium that ends in June 2009. The deficit is expected to worsen – maybe reaching $1 billion – with the next forecast to be released later this month.

Though the Minnesota Chamber anticipates playing defense on a variety of tax proposals this session, our lobbying team will be advocating for a change in tax policy significant to Minnesota companies competing in a global economy. The Minnesota Chamber will seek accelerated phase-in of a sales-only apportionment formula for corporate income taxes. This bill would provide an incentive for companies to expand in Minnesota while selling to the nation and world. The current formula is scheduled to be fully implemented in 2014; this bill would accelerate the phase-in to 2011.

We also will continue our work to convert the sales tax on capital equipment from a refund to an up-front exemption. However, given the budget shortfall, progress on both of these issues may be tough.

RSM McGladrey awareness survey
We invite you to participate in a survey that will help one of our sponsors, RSM McGladrey, determine the level of awareness of local companies. We appreciate your feedback, and thank you in advance for your participation. Follow the link below to complete the survey, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QZAiPGqQL32BGN0jrOnvww_3d_3d.

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Manufacturing Voice E-newsletter