Chamber Blog

About 20 chamber members joined Jennifer Byers, Mn Chamber Vice President, to dialogue about proposed policy priorities for the 2010 legislative session. The priorities included state spending reform (projected spending increases are outpacing revenue), repeal of the nuclear ban (MN law actually won’t allow nuclear power generation to be considered), environmental permitting reform (guaranteeing a delivery time frame for environmental permits), K-12 education including alternative teacher licensure, and health care reform (implementing the laws passed in 2008). There was considerable discussion about ensuring that our future workers are able to compete nationally and internationally, as well as the high cost of higher education and the burden it places on graduates. Spending reform was also a high priority because of the projections for limited revenue increases for government – as well as the businesses that pay the taxes.