Top 4 legislative priorities of 2021

Jan 6, 2021
Economic recovery

Leading Minnesota’s Economic Recovery

The Minnesota Chamber has worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help our members create economic opportunity to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. Our advocacy on behalf of employers, their employees and communities helps keep and expand business and jobs in Minnesota. We look forward to working with lawmakers to enact policies that will help the business community recover from the COVID-19 recession and flourish in the long-term. 

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1) SUPPORT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Minnesota’s economy in historic ways. As legislators consider policy proposals, we urge them to support measures that encourage recovery and growth. Businesses cannot sustain additional tax and increases, mandates, and regulatory burdens.

The Minnesota Chamber supports:

  • Providing hard-hit industries with immediate cash flow through tax reforms – including full federal tax conformity on PPP loan forgiveness and expensing – and small business assistance.
  • Enacting COVID-19 lawsuit liability protections for businesses.
  • Maintaining and enhancing infrastructure, including broadband connectivity.
  • Reorienting workforce development programs based on immediate needs.
  • Maximizing schools’ ability to bring students safely back to campus for in-person instruction.
  • Providing one-time targeted child care funding to meet the needs of low-income and essential workers and providers.

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2) MAINTAIN BENEFIT FLEXIBILITY

Minnesota employers are consistently recognized as being among the best places to work. Lawmakers must preserve private employers ability to design benefits for their specific workplace and industry. We oppose one-size-fits-all mandates and local government labor mandates.

 

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3) ENSURE HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

Health insurance is an increasingly important benefit, allowing employers to attract and retain talent in the marketplace and ensure their employees stay healthy and productive at work. Lawmakers should work to enhance employers’ ability to provide employee access to quality, affordable health care. This includes requiring a cost-benefit analysis before adding any new health insurance mandates.

 

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4) PROMOTE COST-EFFICIENT ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness, if done right, are not mutually exclusive. We support Minnesota businesses’ sustainability goals while keeping Minnesota energy rates competitive.

Make your voice heard

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Make sure you're signed up for action alerts, join a policy committee or interact with legislators during Chamber Week at the Capitol during the first week of March. It's important for legislators to know how their actions impact employers, employees and Minnesota's economic recovery. 

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