TwinWest Chamber of Commerce: Setting the Standard. Leading the Way.
 
 In Touch
 
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 April 24, 2008
 
 
 
 
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Dear Rachel,
As major budget negotiations get underway, most legislators turn their attention to moving smaller pieces of legislation off the floor while waiting for the big pieces to fall into place. Long floor sessions are the norm, with legislators pulled on and off the floor in conference committees and various negotiation sessions. It can get confusing to follow, so read In Touch to stay up to date on developments that impact your business.
 
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Oppose House and Senate Tax Increases!

MoneyUnder legislation that has passed the House and Senate, Minnesota employers large and small would shoulder more than $1 billion in tax increases over the next three years.

The House Omnibus Budget Bill (HF1812) includes $600 million in business tax increases over the next three years, while the Senate Omnibus Tax Bill (SF2869) includes about $500 million in business tax hikes over the same period.

Tax conferees have yet to be named. But, at this point, it's important for all lawmakers to hear from employers with these basic messages:

  • The tax increases on employers in HF1812 and SF2869 are going to cost jobs in Minnesota.
  • We don't need tax increases to balance the state budget. We need government to spend smart, set priorities and live within its means.

Click here for your legislators' contact information, and view a memo from the Coalition of Minnesota Businesses to learn more.

Mall of America Expansion

Mall of America

Dozens of union workers, including many who are out of work, packed the House Taxes Committee on Tuesday to ask for support on a proposal to fund the Mall of America expansion. The expansion could create around 7,000 construction jobs and leverage nearly $2 billion in private investment over the the next few years.

Mall representatives said more than 80 percent of the cost would be covered by private money, but at least 17 percent of the project had to be public for it to be viable. Proponents said the expansion would draw new jobs and tourists to the state, boosting the local economy. However, through use of the metro area fiscal disparities pool, it could also lead to an increase in property taxes throughout the state, and put MOA competitors in the difficult position of helping to pay for the expansion.

During the committee hearing, TwinWest and other business groups highlighted these concerns. We will continue to work to find a funding solution that won't impact property taxes for our members.
 
For more information on the state's fiscal disparities program, take a look at TwinWest's Business Agenda, or read a letter to legislators from the Citizens League.

 

Legislative Breakfast May 9: Facing the Energy Crisis

Power linesWith oil at $117 a barrel, electricity rates rising, and other major costs like health care skyrocketing, it's easy to see why businesses are concerned about our nation's energy future.

What are the biggest challenges we're facing? What solutions are the state and federal government proposing? And, how might your business feel the effects of those actions?
 
Join TwinWest at our May Legislative Breakfast to hear industry, consumer, and environmental perspectives on these and other issues. Be sure to register by May 2 to save $10 on your admission.

May Legislative Breakfast: Facing the Energy Crisis
Friday, May 9, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
View event details and register online by May 2...

2007-2008 Legislative Breakfast series sponsor: Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley. May Legislative Breakfast sponsor: Minnesota Vikings. A/V sponsor: Swank Audio Visuals. Recording sponsor: Comcast.

Other Session News

power plantEnergy:

Members of the House Biosciences and Emerging Technology Committee and House Energy Finance and Policy Division heard testimony on the pros and cons of lifting the Minnesota's moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Read more from the House.

The House also passed a bill on Wednesday that would pave the way for the adoption of a regional cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read a recap from the House Information Office.
 
Education:
 
TwinWest and the business community are expressing concerns with two provisions in the House Education Policy bill, probably due up on the floor next Monday:
  • The proposed local graduation appeals process allowing school districts to grant diplomas to students who fail to pass the state's new high school graduation tests.
  • The proposed student growth formula reporting school performance relative to statewide averages of student performance rather than state expectations for grade-level learning.  

To help our students and our state compete in a global economy, we must close the achievement gap in Minnesota - and raise academic achievement to world-class levels. The GRAD appeals process and proposed student growth model do not support those goals, and in fact would weaken them.

Read more on the topic in a letter from the Minnesota Chamber and Minnesota Business Partnership.
 

Upcoming events:

 
Grand Opening of
Budget Rent-A-Car
Friday, April 25
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Join the TwinWest Ambassadors, Budget-Rent-A-Car, and Terri Trane from 92 KQRS in celebrating the grand opening of the Hopkins Budget Rent-A-Car location
 
St. Louis Park
Business Council   Thursday, May 1 
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Stay up to date on issues affecting your business and community: discuss transportation projects in the city and region
 
Member Orientation
Wednesday, May 7
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Learn how to make the most of your TwinWest member investment and get a jump start on networking
 
May Legislative Breakfast:
Facing the Energy Crisis
Friday, May 9
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Hear the latest on a timely topic; connect with public officials and regional business leaders
 
Ribbon Cutting at Love INC - Love In the Name of Christ
Friday, May 9
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Join the TwinWest Ambassadors and Love INC for a grand opening at their Crystal location
 
 
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National and State Business News
Republican National Convention/CivicFest:
  • Organizations and individuals interested in participating in CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration may now apply for a space in the 60,000-square-foot vendor Marketplace. The mission of the CivicFest Marketplace is to showcase a variety of products to the CivicFest audience, with an emphasis on locally produced and designed merchandise.

CivicFest, which will be held August 29 - September 4, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, is a one-of-a-kind event that will include more than 35 exhibits celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. Presidency. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend CivicFest, which will be open to the general public. Read more.

Manufacturing:
  • Manufacturing is showing signs of strain, which is to be expected in times of an economic slowdown, notes the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. Its March 2008 composite index fell to 57 from 64 in December 2007. A reading above 50 indicates overall manufacturing activity is expected to increase over the next three to six months. However, the index measures the direction of change, not the absolute strength of activity in manufacturing. Read the Manufacturing.Net article.

Bioscience:

  • TwinWest is sponsoring the Minnesota's Bioscience Community's Building on the Foundation on Wednesday, April 30 from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Speakers include: Fred Bader Ph.D., vice president of Global Operations for Centocor, Inc.- A Johnson & Johnson Company; Don Gerhardt, president and CEO of LifeScience Alley and Dale Wahlstrom, CEO of the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota. To RSVP and view the current agenda, visit the Minnesota Bioscience Web site.

Transportation:

  • On Monday, Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Tom Sorel as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), a position he will start on Monday, April 28. Mr. Sorel currently heads the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) division office in Minnesota, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and provides financial and technical support to state and local governments for constructing and preserving America's highway system. Read more about Tom Sorel.
County, City and School News
Hennepin Technical College:
  • Employers are invited to attend the M-Powered Program Plastics Graduation on Tuesday, May 21 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park Campus, room 191). This is a great opportunity to meet with the best and the brightest of plastics students looking to enter the workforce. Graduating students have 130 hours (four months) of training in injection molded plastics operations and basic polymer sciences, and they are now ready to begin their structured on-the-job training.

City of Hopkins:

  • Opus Corporation, the developer of the Excelsior Crossing project, told the Hopkins City Council on Tuesday the project will be larger and built sooner than originally projected. The project, originally planned at 691,000 square feet, will now total 799,000 square feet. Three seven-story buildings will be built for Cargill Corporation and employees will be moving into the first building this June. Work has already begun on the second building, and the third building is scheduled to be completed by 2010. When the project is complete, there will be room for approximately 3,000 employees.
City of Plymouth:
  • The City of Plymouth is hosting the Plymouth City Sampler in the Plymouth City Hall lobby on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This informal event will provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about the city and its services and meet local elected officials. A light breakfast and information tables will be available. For more information, and to learn about the severe weather preparedness and safety presentation taking place during this event, visit the City of Plymouth Web site.

Wayzata Area Schools:

  • The Wayzata High School Concert Choir will perform at the Minnesota Youth Symphonies concert Sunday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The choir will be joined by the Breck Choir to perform two pieces with the Minnesota Youth Symphonies Repertory Orchestra. Reserved seats may be purchased by calling 651.699.5811. For concert information, online ticket orders and more information visit the Web site.

In other news from the district, Melody Hu, a senior at Wayzata High School, was selected as a semifinalist in the 2008 Presidential Scholars competition (read more), and Corey Day, a senior at Wayzata High School, recently earned first place in firefighting at the 2008 SkillsUSA competition (read more).