ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The development of the state’s economy and job growth must be the primary consideration of all state policies. Without business and job growth, our celebrated quality of life will not last. Some people believe that our “slide” has already started. We must spur business growth and create jobs for the benefit of all Minnesotans.

2012 Legislative Priorities

States can have the greatest positive impact on the development of the economy and growth by minimizing the public-sector driven portion of the cost of doing business; creating a regulatory environment that’s predictable and conducive to investment; making cost-effective investments in economic infrastructure; and by rejecting policies that favor certain jobs over others. Minnesota’s economic development strategy should be driven by three key principles:

• Focus on improving the environment for all Minnesota businesses. Aiding specific subsets should be a secondary consideration, if they are considered at all.
• Facilitate the evolution of existing businesses and the development of new ones. New and evolving industries and enterprises will continue to be our source of vitality and growth. In varying degrees, state policy can help in five key areas – permitting and regulatory requirements, investment, research, infrastructure and workforce.
• Make the public services that businesses need a world-class value and have this widely recognized.

In addition, two immediate steps should be taken:

• Restructure public-sector economic development efforts to increase their effectiveness.
• Make analysis and reporting the economic impact of proposed legislation part of the debate over proposals of consequence to the development and growth of the economy. The Legislature’s staff does fiscal notes. It also should do “economic impact notes.”

Action Alerts

Click here to send action alerts as these issues advance at the Legislature.
Click here for Legislative Updates.
Click here to track priority legislation being lobbied at the Capitol.

Chair: Randy Reinke, Custom Products of Litchfield
Staff: Bill Blazar, (651) 292-4658, bblazar@mnchamber.com

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