Dear Friends:

The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,000 businesses,
employing approximately 45,000 people, in the western and northwestern suburbs
of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. TwinWest’s primary service area includes the
communities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Hopkins,
Medicine Lake, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth and St. Louis Park, though
fully one third of our membership comes from the communities surrounding
this core footprint.

TwinWest has in this document crafted a solid legislative agenda based
on our member’ concerns and priorities. TwinWest supports legislation that will
create an improved business climate for each of our member businesses, as
well as for our entire region and the state of Minnesota.

The 2008 Legislative Session will address many issues important to business.
How should the state reconcile the projected budget deficit? How should
transportation be funded to ensure that vital infrastructure can handle increasing
demand? How can government help create a business environment that fosters
job growth and economic development? What can be done to help make health
care more affordable for Minnesota businesses and families? What needs to
happen in education to ensure that Minnesota schools and future workers can
continue to compete internationally?

The TwinWest Government Affairs Committee has been hard at work for months,
comprehensively reviewing and updating the 2008 Business Agenda to guide the
Legislature as they answer these questions. Each issue area has been broken
down into three sections to help members – and legislators – better understand
our positions and the thought processes behind them: Why is this issue important
to business? What challenges does Minnesota face specifically related to this
issue? What solutions does TwinWest advocate? By framing our policies with
these  simple questions in mind, we’re making it easier for members to get
involved – even  if they feel intimidated by the political process.

As the session gets underway in the next few months, TwinWest members will
meet with their elected officials and familiarize them with these priorities and
build on our  already strong working relationships. As always, our success will
depend in large  part on how well you, the leaders of our local business
community, stand behind these important objectives. We encourage you to read
this document carefully and use it as  a guide whenever you have the opportunity
to speak to legislators. Please watch your e-mail inbox for updates during the
session, and assist us as we lobby legislators on your behalf.

Thank you for your support and your involvement in TwinWest.

Sincerely,

Tess Hohman Chair, TwinWest Board of Directors General Mills

Dannette Coleman Chair, Government Affairs Committee Medica