THURSDAY - Chamber Priorities Meeting with Senator Chuck Wiger

2019 Key Legislative Issues
STATEWIDE ISSUES

FULL DEDICATION OF TRANSPORTATION RELATED REVENUES
Support full dedication of the auto parts sales tax to transportation. The 2017 legislature passed the largest transportation funding bill in nearly a decade. Nearly $2 billion of transportation related sales taxes will be captured and directed to the state’s transportation system over the next 10 years. This includes 100% of the revenues generated from the sales tax on rental cars and approximately 60% of revenues generated from the sales tax on auto parts. The Minnesota Chamber has been a strong advocate for the investment of these transportation related General Fund resources in transportation infrastructure and services. This dedication can be achieved statutorily through the biennial budget process.

If necessary to address concerns about predictability of General Fund investments in transportation, the state should consider asking Minnesota voters to constitutionally dedicate these revenues to transportation purposes. The Minnesota Chamber generally opposes dedicating funds because the process lacks scrutiny. However, in the case of dedication of transportation related revenues, funds will be used for long-term infrastructure projects. Also, the expenditure of the funds requires biennial approval as part of the budget process, and the revenues have a clear relationship to the proposed uses.

HEALTH CARE
Support access to quality, affordable health care in the commercial market by reducing health care taxes and mandates; expanding product and coverage options for employers and individuals; increasing market competition and stability; encouraging outcome-based payment and delivery reform; and improving consumer engagement and transparency of cost and quality.

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Support the acceleration of private sector solutions to help Minnesota employers attract and retain the skilled workers needed to compete. We will work to continue to build and deploy programs through the Center for Workforce Solutions in partnership with our Business Education Networks (BEN). Legislative solutions should focus on ensuring existing funding and programs meet the needs of Minnesota employers and diversity of industries in our state. ENHANCE MINNESOTA’S TAX COMPETITIVENESS

Support a pro-growth tax system that improves competitiveness, reduces complexity, improves predictability and stability, and increases accountability. Minnesota’s state and local tax systems should be changed to ensure they cultivate innovation, attract investment and foster job growth and retention. Minnesota must enact a more competitive, pro-growth, simplified tax system and lower tax rates so Minnesota is no longer in the top ten states for high taxes.Key Priorities:

Return any state revenue gains realized from federal tax conformity by enacting state tax reform that improves Minnesota’s tax competitiveness.
Reduce corporate and individual income tax rates so Minnesota is no longer in top ten highest tax rate states.
Enact tax relief for pass-through entities by reducing rates for business income and adopt federal conformity with expensing rules.
Implement federal estate tax conformity.
Protect research-and-development tax credit.
Reduce state property tax levy so Minnesota businesses no longer have property tax burdens that are among the nation’s ten most burdensome.
Improve taxpayer procedural protections and administration.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES

PRESERVE PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS’ BENEFITS (PRE-EMPTION)
Support statewide pre-emption of local mandates. Minnesota employers are nationally recognized for providing the best places to work. In today’s tight labor market, they provide competitive benefits that help attract and retain talent, tailored to the unique needs of their industries and workforce. Local governments are right to impose certain requirements on public sector workplaces and local government employees, but enacting employee wage, benefit and scheduling mandates on private employers is outside city authority. We will aggressively pursue opportunities to advance statewide pre-emption of local mandates. We will advance and protect employer efforts to develop their own distinctive approaches to competitive employee benefits. We oppose attempts by state policymakers to implement mandates at the state level without including reasonable exceptions for the variety and nuances of the many workplaces across Minnesota.
We support broadly sharing employers’ best practices so all businesses in the state are aware of voluntary approaches to compete for and retain the best employees and maintain progressive workplaces. State and local policymakers should be encouraging this trend and not imposing one-size-fits-all mandates that don’t work for employers or workers.

LAKE LINKS
Support securing regional and statewide funding to establish a pathway for bicycles and pedestrians around White Bear Lake. In communities were regional bike trails have been created there has been in increase in business traffic and economic development. Community based bike trails are business friendly because pedestrians and cyclists can take the time to shop at local retail outlets and venture into local eating establishments. Additionally, young adult families are attracted to communities that offer hiking and bike trails. The Lake Links trail initiative has strong bipartisan support from White Bear Area Legislators.

White Bear Lake & Water Issues
Support a northeast metropolitan regional approach to water usage that recognizes the need for conservation while not impeding business expansion and economic development.

Support efforts to maintain a reasonable water level in White Bear Lake and ensure that it continues to be a regional recreational asset. Sustainable solutions for our water resources is becoming a vital issue for the continued expansion and profitability of our business community. Furthermore, White Bear Lake is a key component is defining our community and enhancing economic development.

Local Transportation Issues

Bus Transit – The White Bear Area Chamber supports all efforts to add and expand on daily bus services throughout the area. The local businesses and schools are currently in need of transportation for their employees, customers and students. We strongly support a ridership study and pilot funding for a test route in the area.
- Rush Line commuter bus stops - The White bear Area Chamber was an early supporter of the rapid bus line, Rush Line. One of its primary missions is to provide transportation for future workers to fill job vacancies in the White Bear area. The White Bear Area Chamber encourages that adequate time be allotted to build a consensus with the business community to determine where future bus stops are needed.

Autonomous Vehicles - The University of Minnesota has recommended that White Bear Lake becomes the first community outside of the central cities to establish a pilot project for autonomous for vehicles. Grant money would be provided by the University for this project. The White Bear Area Chamber recommends that the White Bear Lake City Council support this initiative.

35E & County Road J Highway Construction Project - Support funding for construction of access ramps to and from County Road J and 35E traveling from all directions. There is bi-partisan support from our Senators and Representatives and both Ramsey and Anoka Counties have applied for federal funding. If it should proceed through the federal level, we will work with our State Congress leaders to get their support.


THURSDAY - Chamber Priorities Meeting with Senator Chuck Wiger 2019 Key Legislative Issues *STATEWIDE ISSUES* FULL DEDICATION OF TRANSPORTATION RELATED REVENUES Support full dedication of the auto parts sales tax to transportation. The 2017 legislature passed the largest transportation funding bill in nearly a decade. Nearly $2 billion of transportation related sales taxes will be captured and directed to the state’s transportation system over the next 10 years. This includes 100% of the revenues generated from the sales tax on rental cars and approximately 60% of revenues generated from the sales tax on auto parts. The Minnesota Chamber has been a strong advocate for the investment of these transportation related General Fund resources in transportation infrastructure and services. This dedication can be achieved statutorily through the biennial budget process. If necessary to address concerns about predictability of General Fund investments in transportation, the state should consider asking Minnesota voters to constitutionally dedicate these revenues to transportation purposes. The Minnesota Chamber generally opposes dedicating funds because the process lacks scrutiny. However, in the case of dedication of transportation related revenues, funds will be used for long-term infrastructure projects. Also, the expenditure of the funds requires biennial approval as part of the budget process, and the revenues have a clear relationship to the proposed uses. HEALTH CARE Support access to quality, affordable health care in the commercial market by reducing health care taxes and mandates; expanding product and coverage options for employers and individuals; increasing market competition and stability; encouraging outcome-based payment and delivery reform; and improving consumer engagement and transparency of cost and quality. WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Support the acceleration of private sector solutions to help Minnesota employers attract and retain the skilled workers needed to compete. We will work to continue to build and deploy programs through the Center for Workforce Solutions in partnership with our Business Education Networks (BEN). Legislative solutions should focus on ensuring existing funding and programs meet the needs of Minnesota employers and diversity of industries in our state. ENHANCE MINNESOTA’S TAX COMPETITIVENESS Support a pro-growth tax system that improves competitiveness, reduces complexity, improves predictability and stability, and increases accountability. Minnesota’s state and local tax systems should be changed to ensure they cultivate innovation, attract investment and foster job growth and retention. Minnesota must enact a more competitive, pro-growth, simplified tax system and lower tax rates so Minnesota is no longer in the top ten states for high taxes.Key Priorities: Return any state revenue gains realized from federal tax conformity by enacting state tax reform that improves Minnesota’s tax competitiveness. Reduce corporate and individual income tax rates so Minnesota is no longer in top ten highest tax rate states. Enact tax relief for pass-through entities by reducing rates for business income and adopt federal conformity with expensing rules. Implement federal estate tax conformity. Protect research-and-development tax credit. Reduce state property tax levy so Minnesota businesses no longer have property tax burdens that are among the nation’s ten most burdensome. Improve taxpayer procedural protections and administration. *LOCAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES* PRESERVE PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS’ BENEFITS (PRE-EMPTION) Support statewide pre-emption of local mandates. Minnesota employers are nationally recognized for providing the best places to work. In today’s tight labor market, they provide competitive benefits that help attract and retain talent, tailored to the unique needs of their industries and workforce. Local governments are right to impose certain requirements on public sector workplaces and local government employees, but enacting employee wage, benefit and scheduling mandates on private employers is outside city authority. We will aggressively pursue opportunities to advance statewide pre-emption of local mandates. We will advance and protect employer efforts to develop their own distinctive approaches to competitive employee benefits. We oppose attempts by state policymakers to implement mandates at the state level without including reasonable exceptions for the variety and nuances of the many workplaces across Minnesota. We support broadly sharing employers’ best practices so all businesses in the state are aware of voluntary approaches to compete for and retain the best employees and maintain progressive workplaces. State and local policymakers should be encouraging this trend and not imposing one-size-fits-all mandates that don’t work for employers or workers. LAKE LINKS Support securing regional and statewide funding to establish a pathway for bicycles and pedestrians around White Bear Lake. In communities were regional bike trails have been created there has been in increase in business traffic and economic development. Community based bike trails are business friendly because pedestrians and cyclists can take the time to shop at local retail outlets and venture into local eating establishments. Additionally, young adult families are attracted to communities that offer hiking and bike trails. The Lake Links trail initiative has strong bipartisan support from White Bear Area Legislators. White Bear Lake & Water Issues Support a northeast metropolitan regional approach to water usage that recognizes the need for conservation while not impeding business expansion and economic development. Support efforts to maintain a reasonable water level in White Bear Lake and ensure that it continues to be a regional recreational asset. Sustainable solutions for our water resources is becoming a vital issue for the continued expansion and profitability of our business community. Furthermore, White Bear Lake is a key component is defining our community and enhancing economic development. Local Transportation Issues Bus Transit – The White Bear Area Chamber supports all efforts to add and expand on daily bus services throughout the area. The local businesses and schools are currently in need of transportation for their employees, customers and students. We strongly support a ridership study and pilot funding for a test route in the area. Rush Line commuter bus stops - The White bear Area Chamber was an early supporter of the rapid bus line, Rush Line. One of its primary missions is to provide transportation for future workers to fill job vacancies in the White Bear area. The White Bear Area Chamber encourages that adequate time be allotted to build a consensus with the business community to determine where future bus stops are needed. Autonomous Vehicles - The University of Minnesota has recommended that White Bear Lake becomes the first community outside of the central cities to establish a pilot project for autonomous for vehicles. Grant money would be provided by the University for this project. The White Bear Area Chamber recommends that the White Bear Lake City Council support this initiative. 35E & County Road J Highway Construction Project - Support funding for construction of access ramps to and from County Road J and 35E traveling from all directions. There is bi-partisan support from our Senators and Representatives and both Ramsey and Anoka Counties have applied for federal funding. If it should proceed through the federal level, we will work with our State Congress leaders to get their support.
Weekly Facts - Weekly Facts for Week of February 25, 2019