MN Legislature Small Business Survey - Nov 2009
A recent member survey, prompted by a request from Representative Ward to distribute a survey from the small business caucus, prompted the most vehement and interesting responses in 15 years at the chamber. The business community is willing to share their experience with operational improvements to help government change how they operate in these challenging times.
You’ll see by the results of question 3, that decreasing revenue has prompted business to make significant changes in how they operate and they are expecting government to do the same. This challenging economic time is an opportunity for government to learn from businesses and identify opportunities that focus on needs vs. wants and promote a “lean” operating system that focuses on efficiency and avoids unnecessary, burdensome regulation and associated fees.
These results are being shared with state and federal legislators, cities, counties, school districts, Central Lakes College, other chambers in the area, MN Chamber, chamber members – and the community over the next month.
Post Labor Day School Start
For years the tourism industry has successfully opposed starting K-12 school before Labor Day because of the affect on summer vacations and workforce – and the resulting economic impact. Labor Day falls later in September the next two years and there is an effort in the MN House to repeal the Labor Day school start provision (HF194) or modify it for the next two years (HF195). The Chambers Board of Directors opposes an earlier starting date and passed a resolution voicing continued support for a post-Labor Day school starting date. Contact State Representatives John Ward, Larry Howes, or Al Doty to voice your support for maintaining the post-Labor Day starting date.
Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Resolution of Support
School Year Calendar
Itroduction: A change in current law regarding the start date or length of the school year is not necessary to make progressive change in Minnesota's educational outcomes.
Increased learning outcomesn are compatible with Minnesota's tradition of summer. There are many reforms proposed for K-12 education; all day-every day kindergarten, longer school days, increasing the number of education days per year, and many more. Reforms that compliment students, families and the many businesses that depend on the school calendar can be accomplished.
Whereas, Minnesota claims one of the highest levels of K-12 learning in the country;
Whereas, increasing classroom time does not have to compete with Minnesota's tourism industry;
Whereas, learning benefits and outcomes are important to the tourism industry;
Whereas, school calendars can have an impact on both family vacation options and seasonal employment;
Therefore, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber supports:
Quality education as a high priority for the state;
A school calendar that addresses the best learning outcomes available while preserving Minnesota's heritage of summer, including preserving a post Labor Day School start; and
Investigating other tools to increase learning outcomes before changing the start date or increasing the number of educational days in the school year.
Approved on February 19, 2009
By unanimous vote of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber Board of Directors
Chambers Statewide Collaborate on Legislative Issues
Balancing the state budget by restructuring the delivery of government services and cutting spending
leads the Chamber’s agenda. The Chamber’s recent member survey reinforced support for this policy
position. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will work to advance the statewide business community’s priorities
as part of the Minnesota Chamber Federation, 24 Chambers across Minnesota that have agreed
to focus on five shared legislative priorities.
Rounding out the 2009 business top priorities are:
State Budget Priority: Balance the state budget without a general fund tax increase.
Workforce Priority: Ensure that businesses have an adequate supply of skilled workers to compete
in today's global economy by advancing reforms in the K-12 public education system.
Transportation Efficiency Priority: Ensure that taxpayers receive the greatest value for every dollar
spent on the state's infrastructure system.
Climate Change Priority: Climate change legislation should be addressed on the national – and
international – levels. State lawmakers should not pass any state or regional cap-and-trade policy
due to the negative economic impact on businesses and families, and the extremely high probability
that a state-specific program will not solve or even reduce the problem.
Nuclear Power Priority: Change the existing state law so nuclear power is an option for generation
of additional and necessary base-load power.
Federal legislation that impacts business, provided by the US Chamber:
EFCA/Card Check – The bill remains in limbo as proponents wait for votes to materialize. Several supporters who voted in favor in 2007 have expressed reservations putting 60 votes in the Senate out of their reach - for now. A compromise continues to be rumored but no bill or amendment has been offered and certainly no proposal to revise a fatally flawed bill is acceptable to the Chamber.
Health Care Overhaul – The business community shares the goals of Congress and the Administration to reduce costs, improve quality, expand access and is committed to finding solutions. However, the devil is in the details and some of the proposals being circulated could threaten struggling businesses with increased costs, taxes, fees, mandates, regulatory burdens, and cost-shifts from government programs. The Senate is hoping for a vote later this year but Committee consideration has been slowed because of lack of consensus on several issues...>learn more
Energy/Climate Change Legislation – Congress is poised to address climate change through a major piece of legislation called the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) with a Cap-and-Trade plan as its centerpiece to cut emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). The U.S. Chamber hopes to strike a balance of workable environmental solutions that preserve jobs and economic growth. States in the Midwest have much at stake – agricultural interests are hoping for relief and states that rely on coal for electricity could see increased costs as emission targets are imposed.
Highway Bill/Transportation Investments - On September 30, 2009 the nation’s core surface transportation programs (SAFETEA-LU) will expire. Congress must reform the federal programs to ensure dollars are maximized in the nation’s best interest while emphasizing performance management and accountability. Unfortunately, much like many of our state and local communities around the country, we find the federal surface transportation programs in a dire budgetary situation. In June 2009 the Obama Administration forecast that that the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will become insolvent before the end of fiscal year 2009, necessitating either a general fund transfer or program cuts. The U.S. Chamber is hosting a Transportation Fly-in, July 14/15 to Washington, DC for chambers of commerce and the business community to learn and share their interests on this important issue.
