TwinWest Chamber of Commerce: Setting the Standard. Leading the Way.
 
 In Touch
 
   issues and updates:
   city  |  school  | county  |  state  |  nation
 
 March 13, 2008
 
 
 
 
Metro Transit busLakeState Capitol (inside)Neighborhood sidewalkStorefront
Dear Rachel,

The first deadline for individual bills to be acted on by committee is tomorrow, Friday, March 14, so the Capitol has been bustling with activity this week as legislators, lobbyists, and interest groups met late into the evenings to push bill after bill through the process. Committees were also busy considering the governor's budget recommendations and moving a health care reform proposal closer to becoming law. Read on for more details, and stay tuned to In Touch each week to stay in the loop on these and other developments.

Note: If you'd rather not receive this e-newsletter, please send an e-mail to kblandin@tunheim.com with "Unsubscribe from In Touch" in the subject line.

Governor Pawlenty's Budget Proposal

Gov. Pawlenty

Last Friday, Governor Tim Pawlenty released his budget to solve the state's  projected $935 million deficit (about 3 percent of the total budget). The governor's budget solution reduces the growth in state spending by $341 million. Highlights of the plan include:
 
  • Statewide sales tax cut of 1/8th percent
  • No reductions in funding for K-12 education
  • No reductions in funding for local government aid
  • Reductions to most state agency budgets of 4 percent and other targeted spending reductions
Overall, approximately 40 percent of the budget plan comes from spending cuts and additional revenues, 35 percent from balances or surpluses in non-general fund accounts, and 25 percent comes from state budget reserves.
 
"Minnesotans are concerned about the economy, rising costs and government's seemingly endless demands on their wallets," Governor Pawlenty said. "This plan balances our budget without adding to the burden facing Minnesotans. We'll tackle this deficit by holding government accountable, tightening our belts and using available resources, not by raising taxes."
Health Care Legislation Moving in House/Senate

Surgeon

Two health care reform bills are working their way through the House and Senate. HF3391, presented by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) and SF3099, presented by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis), contain many positive reforms that take key steps toward TwinWest and the business community's key goals of increased transparency, payment reform, utilization of health information technology, and promoting wellness. There are pieces of these bills, however, to which TwinWest has voiced its opposition.
 
The taxes and assessments in these bills run counter to reducing the rate of growth in health care premiums. These bills contain:
  • A public health improvement assessment to charge hospitals and health plans in Minnesota to fund the statewide health improvement program.
  • Authority for the proposed Health Insurance Exchange to establish and assess fees on health premiums of small-employer and individual plans to fund administration of the Exchange. 
  • A mandate that all employers that do not provide group coverage for their employees establish Section 125 Plans, creating additional set-up costs and administrative fees for employers.
  • A health savings reinvestment assessment of up to 4 percent - essentially an additional premium tax to fund reinvestment in the health care system.
TwinWest will continue to monitor these bills moving forward.  For more information on this bill, contact Jason Flohrs, director of government affairs at 763.450.2225 or jasonf@twinwest.com or view TwinWest's Business Agenda. To learn more about the recommendations of the Governor's Health Care Transformation Task Force, click here or attend our April Legislative Breakfast tomorrow morning. Visit our event calendar for details.

U.S. Chamber Presentation at Government Affairs Committee Meeting

ScaleJoin the TwinWest Government Affairs Committee for a special presentation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 19 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. 

Doug Loon, vice president of regional affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will talk to TwinWest members about key federal legislation impacting businesses here in Minnesota, and will also briefly touch on the U.S. Chamber's involvement in congressional races in this fall's election.

The committee will also discuss legislation of interest to TwinWest members at the state level, including analysis of health care reform proposals working their way through the House and Senate (see above), a recap and process discussion on the transportation bill, and opportunities to get involved in TwinWest's lobbying activities at the Capitol.

Our Annual D.C. Trip is Here!

US Capitol DomeTwinWest has a strong history of involvement and advocacy on behalf of our members' business concerns at the local, regional, and state level. In 2006, we began to advance our efforts even further - all the way to Washington, D.C.!

On our annual trip, TwinWest and interested members travel to our nation's capital to participate in the U.S. Chamber's Small Business Summit. We meet with our federal elected officials, attend federal policy briefings prepared by U.S. Chamber staff, and collaborate with business leaders from around the country.

>> View a tentative trip schedule or download a registration form 

>> View more information and photos from last year

Special for this year, we've secured a Minnesota exclusive briefing, for Minnesota participants only, with officials at the US Department of Transportation.

Join us for our 2008 trip from April 16-18! or get more information, call Jason Flohrs, director of government affairs, at 763.450.2225 or e-mail jasonf@twinwest.com.
Thanks to our sponsor:
Comcast

Upcoming events:

 
March Legislative Breakfast:
Health Care in Minnesota
Friday, March 14
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Hear the latest on what's being done to make affordable, quality health care accessible to more Minnesotans; talk with legislators and other business leaders
 
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce 23rd Annual Gala: Imagine...
Friday, March 14
7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
ROI: Dance, sample great food, find fabulous auctions items and raise funds for the TwinWest Foundation
 
Hopkins State of the City
Tuesday, March 18
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
ROI: Find out what your city has accomplished in the past year, and what's in the works for the year to come

Government Affairs Committee
Wednesday, March 19
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Help shape legislative policy that impacts your business and community
 
Crystal/New Hope
Business Council
Wednesday, March 19
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Stay up to date on issues affecting your business and community
 
TwinWest Emerging Leaders Philanthropy Event:
Soup's on & Surf's Up!
Thursday, March 20
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
ROI: Give back to the community by spending time with kids
 
Business Showcase at
Fuzzy Duck Design
Wednesday, March 26
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Get inspired to build your network
 
Opening the Real Estate Door: Understanding Purchase Agreements and Related Legal Issues
Thursday, March 27
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Learn how to avoid common pitfalls of purchasing property
 
Get details about and register for these and other events...
 
Quick links:
 
CITIES
 
Brooklyn Center
   Web site
 
Brooklyn Park 
 
Crystal 
 
Golden Valley
 
Hopkins
 
New Hope
Medicine Lake
 
Minnetonka
 
Plymouth
 
St. Louis Park
   Current newsletter
 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HENNEPIN COUNTY
 
 
 
STATE LEGISLATURE
 
 
 
TWINWEST LINKS
 
 
State, City and School News

Environment:

  • Flint Hills Refinery, which has won various environmental clean-air awards, is credited with marshalling an intense lobbying blitz at the Capitol that has denuded a bill by Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, that she calls the Green Solutions Act. In addition, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is weighing in against Anderson's bill and Rep. Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton. So far, the bill's opponents seem to have the upper hand despite an equally intense lobbying effort by environmental advocates. Read the MinnPost article.

Manufacturing:

  • Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, has proposed two bills this session that ask state officials to focus on attracting renewable energy manufacturing firms to the state. At least one DFLer expressed concern about the effect such an approach might have on other non-green businesses. According to Anderson, makers of wind turbines and other renewable energy firms could bring 18,000 jobs into the state in a 10-year period. Read the Finance and Commerce article.

City of Plymouth:

  • The City of Plymouth is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Plymouth Planning Commission, a citizen advisory commission to the Plymouth City Council. Applications are due Thursday, April 10. and are available via the city Web site or by calling 763.509.5080. View additional information.

City of Robbinsdale: 

  • Please join Community Ahead for "Moving Ahead with Community Ahead" on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at New Hope Elementary (8301 47th Avenue North, room 15). Community Ahead is a growing network of Robbinsdale residents and professionals focused on making the RAS community a great place to live, learn, work, play and grow. Space is limited; please reply to Linda Kemper at 763.504.4900 or Linda_Kemper@rdale.k12.mn.us.

 Hopkins Public Schools:

  • Hopkins Community Education, in collaboration with Hopkins High School, is exploring offering a two-week summer robotics camp for junior and senior high students. The camp would introduce students to science, technology, engineering and math through designing, building, and testing robots. View more information here. If you or your business are interested in helping out with this camp, please contact Jason Flohrs, director of government affairs, at 763.450.2225 or e-mail jasonf@twinwest.com.

Wayzata Public Schools: 

  • Wayzata High School's Internship/Mentorship program is currently looking for companies and individuals who would be willing to provide placement opportunities for their young professionals to obtain real-world career experiences in a professional environment.  Students are looking for companies and individuals who would be willing to provide job shadows as well as placements for internship and mentorship work experiences. Career areas include advertising, management, human services and more. For additional program information, please contact program coordinator Michelle Cornwell at 763.745.6808 or michelle.cornwell@wayzata.k12.mn.us.