Minnesota business leaders push legislative agenda

More than 600 business leaders met in St. Paul Wednesday as part of the annual Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol, the largest business lobbying day in Minnesota.

Bob Anderson, Boise Inc. public affairs manager, was among the business people discussing issues important to their companies and local economies with the senators and representatives.

“(They) need to hear about the jobs and the challenges that businesses face today, especially in the challenging business environment,” Anderson said.

“They were very open and listened very intently,” he said of the senators and representatives with whom he had an audience.

Anderson said that he spent a good amount of time with state Rep. Tom Anzelc. Among the items that Anderson and Anzelc discussed were streamlining the environmental permitting process and the need to avoid adding more regulations on landfills.

The Minnesota Chamber also has on its priorities streamlining the environmental permitting process. Chamber officials have said that Minnesota loses business to other states when companies looking to open or expand in Minnesota cannot quickly and efficiently have the permits necessary to operate.

Anderson explained that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has presented a resolution to the legislature that would impose more strict regulations on landfills in the state. Boise has a landfill near Ray, so Anderson spoke to Anzelc and state Sen. Tom Saxhaug about opposing the plan.

The business community heard from Gov. Tim Pawlenty about the state budget and deficit. One point of discussion that Anderson said was viewed positively by the business community was the governor’s plan for no increase in taxes.

The Minnesota Chamber included the state budget as one of its top agenda items to discuss with the Legislature.

“Business leaders are nervous about what lawmakers may do in the fiscal policy area as they balance another huge shortfall in the state’s checkbook,” said Dave McMillan, chair of the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors. He is executive vice president of Minnesota Power in Duluth. “Our elected officials need to understand the daily challenges we face in running our businesses and providing jobs for Minnesotans. It’s imperative that lawmakers adopt meaningful spending and tax reforms.”

In addition to the budget and environmental permitting, the Minnesota Chamber’s top five priorities also include:

• Repealing the nuclear ban: Eliminating this gag rule that prevents regulators from even talking about expansion of nuclear energy is necessary to ensure a reliable supply of competitively priced electricity.

• Alternative teacher licensing: Minnesota should provide alternative opportunities for college graduates and experienced professionals to gain teacher accreditation. Studies show that second to parents, the quality of a teacher is the top predictor of student success.

• Health care reform: The Chamber will monitor and support implementation of the 2008 state health care reform bill.

“These initiatives include significant policy changes in areas that affect the everyday lives of Minnesotans,” McMillan said. “And key changes in three of our priorities — environmental review and permitting, nuclear energy and alternative teacher licensure – can be made without spending any money.”

The Minnesota Chamber’s legislative agenda is bolstered by a formal Minnesota Chamber Federation of local chambers that supports the organization’s five major priorities, the Chamber said.

“We work closely with all local chambers of commerce to speak with one voice on issues critical to our statewide economy,” Chamber President David Olson said. “In addition, nearly 30 local chambers of commerce have committed to being Federation members.”

The Minnesota Chamber is the state’s largest business advocacy organization, representing more than 2,400 companies of all types and sizes on state public policy and regulatory issues.