Minnsights Blog

Last Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum in the Minnesota House is 68 members, not the 67 that House Republicans had been operating under since the session began on January 14. This decision means that the first few weeks of hearings, bill introductions, and legislative work now appear to be invalidated by the courts.

Manufacturing companies have thin margins and are sensitive to costs. Facility and equipment, talent and training, inputs and supplies are all part of the cost equation. But so are costs imposed by government which manufacturers typically have very little control over.

We at the Chamber are keeping a close eye on the legislative session currently underway. This week, the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from the Minnesota Chamber and the Minnesota Chamber Foundation.

As we enter a new legislative chapter this year, the uncertainty surrounding the balance of power in the House has caused some initial drama. However, we expect these issues to be resolved, enabling progress during this legislative session. Last fall’s state elections spoke volumes about what matters most to Minnesotans: the economy and costs. Minnesotans desire a balanced approach to governance, and the business community shares this expectation for our elected officials. Bipartisan solutions are crucial to improving our economy, lowering costs for families and businesses, and addressing the challenges facing our state.

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation Business Education Network (BEN) partners gathered at Owatonna High School in mid January. BEN partners reflect more than 20 local and regional chambers across the state who partner with the Minnesota Chamber Foundation on workforce strategies. They are specifically focused on connecting students to employers in the community, and helping them understand the paths to high demand careers in their region – whether its going to work out of high school, or attending a two or four year post secondary institution.