2013 - 2014 legislative priorities and...

2013 - 2014 Legislative Priorities and Scorecards

June 2014

1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2 Mission and Vision Statement Board of Directors Government Affairs Committee Legislative Priorities 7 Minnesota Senate Scorecard Overview 9 Senator Jim Carlson 11 Senator Greg Clausen 12 Senator Jim Metzen 13 Senator Dave Thompson 14 House of Representative Scorecard Overview 15 Representative Joe Atkins 17 Representative Pat Garofalo 18 Representative Laurie Halverson 19 Representative Rick Hansen 20 Representative Sandra Masin 21

Representative Anna Wills 22

2

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to building a stronger regional business community. We steadfastly serve the cities of Eagan, Farmington, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, Sunfish Lake, and West St. Paul, along with Castle Rock, Empire, Eureka, and Hampton Townships. Explore the many ways we're leading the way to make the Dakota County area the best possible place to live, work, and grow your business.

Vision Statement To be recognized as the premier regional Chamber of Commerce addressing the business community needs within Dakota County.

Mission Statement Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce unites the business community to improve members' success by:

Advocating public policy

Providing networking and professional development opportunities

Encouraging economic development

2013-14 Board of Directors

DCR Chair of the Board Phil Stalboerger

MTM/MNet, Inc.

West St. Paul

DCR Chair-Elect Beth Krehbiel

Fairview Ridges Hospital

At-Large

DCR Past Chair Michele Engdahl

Thomson Reuters

Eagan

3

Director

Finance Chair

Allen Glynn

KLC Financial, Inc.

At-Large

President Vicki Stute

Dakota County Regional Chamber

Director Paul Eggen

State Farm Insurance

Rosemount

Director Lisa Franxman

Anchor Bank Farmington

Farmington

Director Cindy Haas

Gateway Bank

Mendota Heights

Director Jeff Indovina

Midwest Coca Cola Bottling Company

Eagan

4

Director Jeffrey Larson

JBL Companies

Eagan

Director Matt Lemke

Flint HIlls Resources

Rosemount

Director Mark Lofthus

Dakota Electric Association

Farmington

Director Debi McConnell

Medi-CAR Auto Repair

Rosemount

Director Lin Nelson

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of

Minnesota

Eagan

Director Ryan O'Gara

SKB Environmental

Rosemount

5

Director Roz Peterson

Cerron Commercial Properties

At-Large

Director Jeff Rothmeyer

TruStone Financial Federal Credit

Union

At-Large

Director Troy Solis

Sol-Information Systems, LLC.

Farmington

Director Scott Swenson

Home Federal

Eagan

Director Randy Thatcher

Ecolab

Eagan

Director Tim Wynes

Inver Hills Community College

At-Large

6

Ex-Officio Director

Brent Cory,

Eagan Convention & Visitor's Bureau

Eagan

2013-14 Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee serves the interests of the regional business community by:

Facilitating member communication with local, state, and federal officials through regular

conference calls and breakfast programs

Becoming involved in addressing local business issues at a policy level

Developing position statements on key local, regional, state, and federal issues

Increasing member engagement through grassroots and leadership support

Chair Lin Nelson Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Committee Members Donald Chapdelaine, SKB Environmental, Inc. Patrick Connolly, Connolly Kuhl Group Donald L. Hoeft, LeVander, Gillen & Miller Matthew Lemke, Koch Companies Mark Lofthus, Dakota Electric Association Katie Misukanis, Rasmussen College Lin Nelson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Roz Peterson, Cerron Commercial Properties Barbara Platten, MTM/MNet Don Sinnwell, Twin City Homes Inc. Phil Stalboerger, MTM/Mnet Vicki Stute, DCR Chamber Holli VanOverbeke, Weber Johnson Public Affairs

The Government Affairs Committee typically meets on the second Friday of each month as needed and in preparation of the legislative session. Please contact Vicki Stute at 651.288.9201 for further information.

mailto:[email protected]

7

2014 Legislative Priorities

TAX POLICY

B2B Tax Repeal. Your Chamber advocates for immediate repeal of the three business to business taxes

imposed in the 2013 session which undermines job growth and economic opportunities in Minnesota.

The Chamber opposes any sales tax base broadening to business services and business-to-business

transactions. Given the size of the projected surplus, eliminating the B2B taxes should be just a first step

in improving Minnesota’s competitiveness. This provides opportunities to fix other uncompetitive taxes

such as the new 9.85% 4th tier on individual income taxes, our high corporate tax rate, the estate and

gift taxes and needed federal conformity updates.

In the 2013 session, taxes were increased by $2.3 billion. This included a new 4th tier income tax of

9.85%, $424 million corporate tax increase, cigarette tax increase, a new gift tax, and three new

business to business sales taxes. The three new B2B taxes totaling over $300 million are: 1) business

storage and warehousing; 2) labor costs for repair and maintenance of business equipment; and 3)

telecommunications equipment purchases by telecommunication providers.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE POLICY

Teacher Evaluations and Staffing Flexibility. School districts should be given the authority to use

teacher evaluations when determining whom to layoff and whom to retain for future school years.

Teachers deemed “highly effective” should be the last to be laid off, regardless of seniority. In similar

fashion, teachers deemed “ineffective” should be the first to be laid off, regardless of seniority. Further,

school leaders should be given maximum flexibility to make staffing decisions based on school site

needs.

Reform Q-Comp. The Chamber supports statewide expansion of the Q Comp performance-based

teacher compensation and reforms to Q Comp to sync it with the statewide teacher evaluation system.

Merit pay should be linked to teacher evaluation.

Dual Credit. The Chamber supports strengthening and expanding established jump-start and dual-credit

postsecondary programs, including postsecondary enrollment options (PSEO) for all Minnesota

institutions, early college, concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, international baccalaureate,

career and technical education, and college level examination placement (CLEP). Additionally, high

schools and post-secondary programs should be encouraged to work together to develop community-

based early college programs designed to meet local and regional workforce needs.

8

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING POLICY

Permitting. Minnesota businesses statewide have expressed frustration and concern about the time

required to process environmental review documents and environmental permits. To maximize

competitiveness in a global economy, companies seeking industrial permits – whether for existing,

expanding or new facilities – must be assured of the clarity, timeliness, predictability and accountability

of the environmental review and permitting process.

WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce supports integrated waste management that

protects the environment and relies on private-sector competition to provide cost-effective waste

management options.

Additionally, your Chamber is opposed to any legislation which proposes a mandate to collect fees for

bottles, cans, and other beverage containers as well as the establishment of a statewide recycling

program.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Employers are uncertain about the federal Affordable Care Act consequences on their businesses and

increasingly burdened with the rising cost of health care insurance for their employees.

TRANSPORTATION

Your Chamber supports investment in transportation infrastructure to keep Minnesota prosperous and

competitive in the efficient movement of people and goods. An effective transportation delivery system

must include a modern, multimodal system, linked with efficiency measures and sustainable funding

mechanisms.

9

88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard Minnesota Senate

#1: HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Ingebrigtsen amendment (5/5/2014)

The amendment offered by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, would have shortened the time to

process permits from 90 days to 75 days.

Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill.

The final result: Failed

#2: SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Conference committee (5/5/2014)

The conference committee report contained a mandate on all Twin Cities businesses to collect three of

four items including, but not limited to, paper, glass, plastic and metal, effective January 2016.

Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce opposed this bill.

The final result: Passed

#3: HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - Conference committee report (5/8/2014)

The motion made by Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, would have rejected the conference committee

report and sent the report back to the committee.



#4: HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014)

The bill repealed all three sales taxes on business-to-business transactions that were enacted in 2013.

The bill adopted federal conformity for 2014 income-tax returns, increased the threshold for estate

taxes to $2 million, and repealed the gift tax. It delayed enactment of the up-front exemption for sales

tax on capital equipment.



10

#5: HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - Pratt amendment (4/22/2014)

The amendment, authored by Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, would have provided school districts with the

ability to keep the best teachers in the classroom, regardless of seniority.



#6: HF 2091 Minimum wage (4/9/2014)

The bill raised the minimum wage, in phases, reaching $9.50 in 2016, and adds an annual inflationary

increase beginning in 2018.

Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce opposed this bill.


#7: HF 3172 MNsure rates - Rosen amendment (4/8/2014)

The amendment offered by Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, would require the commissioner of Commerce

to publish insurance rates - both inside and outside the health insurance exchange - by October 1. It

also would require legislative approval for an increase in the premium tax and legislative approval for

MNsure's operating budget. It would require new third-party reporting on MNsure's operations and

finances.



11

88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard

Senator Jim Carlson

Democrat-MN-051

Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score

Failed HF 3172 MNsure rates - Rosen amendment (4/8/2014) N

Passed HF 2091 Minimum wage (4/9/2014) Y

Failed HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - Pratt amendment (4/22/2014) N

Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) Y

Failed HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - Conference committee report

(5/8/2014)

N

Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Conference committee (5/5/2014) Y

Failed HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Ingebrigtsen amendment (5/5/2014) N

12


Senator Greg Clausen

Democrat-MN-057







(5/8/2014)

N



13


Senator James Metzen

Democrat-MN-052







(5/8/2014)

N



14


Senator Dave Thompson

Republican-MN-058


Failed HF 3172 MNsure rates - Rosen amendment (4/8/2014) Y

Passed HF 2091 Minimum wage (4/9/2014) N

Failed HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - Pratt amendment (4/22/2014) Y



(5/8/2014)

Y

Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Conference committee (5/5/2014) N

Failed HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Ingebrigtsen amendment (5/5/2014) Y

15

88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard House of Representatives

#1: HF 2536 Women’s Economic Security Act – Conference committee report (5/7/2014) The motion made by Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, would have rejected the conference committee report and sent the report back to the committee. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #2: HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Fabian amendment (5/5/2014) The amendment offered by Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, would have shortened the time to process permits from 90 days to 75 days. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #3: HF 2091 Minimum Wage (4/10/2014) The bill raised the minimum wage, in phases, reaching $9.50 in 2016, and adds an annual inflationary increase beginning in 2018. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce opposed this bill. The final result: Passed #4: SF 2390 Primary election - Sanders amendment (4/30/2014) The amendment authored by Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, would have moved the primary election from August to June. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #5: HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) The bill repealed all three sales taxes on business-to-business transactions that were enacted in 2013. The bill adopted federal conformity for 2014 income-tax returns, increased the threshold for estate taxes to $2 million, and repealed the gift tax. It delayed enactment of the up-front exemption for sales tax on capital equipment. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Passed

16

#6: SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Hornstein amendment (4/24/2014) The amendment, authored by Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, mandated recycling on businesses in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, starting in January 2016. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce opposed this bill. The final result: Passed #7: HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - S. Anderson amendment (4/9/2014) The amendment, authored by Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, sought a reasonable balance for providing protections for working women without greatly increasing litigation costs and exposure for employers. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #8: HF 3167 Business property taxes - S. Anderson amendment (4/4/2014) The amendment to the omnibus supplemental tax bill, authored by Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, would have mitigated the $77 million business property tax shift in this bill by lowering the statewide levy. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #9: HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - S. Erickson amendment (4/4/2014) The amendment offered by Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, provided school districts with the staffing flexibility necessary to keep the best teachers in the classrooms, regardless of their seniority. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Failed #10: HF 3172 Recycling mandate, statewide - Torkelson amendment (4/3/2014) The omnibus supplemental appropriations bill contained a mandate on all businesses statewide to collect three of four items including, but not limited to, paper, glass, plastic and metal. The amendment offered by Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, removed that language from the bill. Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill. The final result: Passed

17


Representative Joe Atkins

Democrat-MN-52B


Passed HF 3172 Recycling mandate, statewide - Torkelson amendment (4/3/2014) N

Failed HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - S. Erickson amendment (4/4/2014) N

Failed HF 3167 Business property taxes - S. Anderson amendment (4/4/2014) N

Failed HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - S. Anderson amendment (4/9/2014) N

Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Hornstein amendment (4/24/2014) Y


Failed SF 2390 Primary election - Sanders amendment (4/30/2014) N

Passed HF 2091 Minimum Wage (4/10/2014) Y

Failed HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Fabian amendment (5/5/2014) N

Failed HF 2536 Women’s Economic Security Act – Conference committee report

(5/7/2014)

N

18


Representative Pat Garofalo

Republican-MN-58B


Passed HF 3172 Recycling mandate, statewide - Torkelson amendment (4/3/2014) Y

Failed HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - S. Erickson amendment (4/4/2014) Y

Failed HF 3167 Business property taxes - S. Anderson amendment (4/4/2014) Y

Failed HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - S. Anderson amendment (4/9/2014) Y

Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Hornstein amendment (4/24/2014) N


Failed SF 2390 Primary election - Sanders amendment (4/30/2014) NV -

Passed HF 2091 Minimum Wage (4/10/2014) N

Failed HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Fabian amendment (5/5/2014) Y


(5/7/2014)

Y

19


Representative Laurie Halverson

Democrat-MN-51B












(5/7/2014)

N

20


Representative Rick Hansen

Democrat-MN-52A












(5/7/2014)

N

21


Representative Sandra Masin

Democrat-MN-51A












(5/7/2014)

N

22


Representative Anna Wills

Republican-MN-57B



Failed HF 2397 Omnibus K-12 education policy bill - S. Erickson amendment (4/4/2014) Y


Failed HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - S. Anderson amendment (4/9/2014) Y

Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Hornstein amendment (4/24/2014) N


Failed SF 2390 Primary election - Sanders amendment (4/30/2014) Y

Passed HF 2091 Minimum Wage (4/10/2014) N

Failed HF 2543 Environmental permitting - Fabian amendment (5/5/2014) Y


(5/7/2014)

Y

2013 - 2014 legislative priorities and...

Documents