Minnsights Blog

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.

We at the Chamber are paying close attention to the start of the 2025 legislative session, which begins next week. The balance of power at the Capitol, both in the House and Senate, is a focus of much attention and headlines. However, it's important to recognize the significant work ahead for the Legislature, and we encourage them to get organized and prepare for the session.

Here we are at the end of 2024, and we want to wish all of you an enjoyable holiday season and a happy new year! Right around the corner, we also have the start of the 2025 legislative session. On January 14, the Legislature will be sworn in, and the next evening, January 15, the Chamber will host our largest event of the year, Session Priorities. This program will feature legislative leaders and the governor, and we expect a robust discussion around business policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

When we bought our house in 2011, it came with something I had never had before—a barn that was built at the turn of the twentieth century. Not a big red barn, but what is known as a carriage barn. With a little hayloft, decent sized room for equipment on the main floor and in the walk-out basement with two horse stalls, two cow stanchions and a cold room hanging meat. Needless to say, none of these amenities will be used for their intended use while we own the house.

Rather than my usual commentary, I’m thrilled to share that I have a guest with me today: Whitney-Lehr Koening, President and Publisher of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. She’s joining me here in the office in St. Paul to share a little about the work of the publication and her leadership role there.