2013 - 2014 Legislative Priorities and Scorecards
June 2014
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill.
The final result: Failed
#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.
Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill.
The final result: Passed
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#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.
Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill.
The final result: Failed
#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.
The final result: Passed
#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.
Dakota County Regional and Minnesota Chambers of Commerce supported this bill.
The final result: Failed
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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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Senator Greg Clausen
Democrat-MN-057
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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Senator James Metzen
Democrat-MN-052
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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Senator Dave Thompson
Republican-MN-058
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) Y
Failed HF 2536 Women's Economic Security Act - Conference committee report
(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
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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
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#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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Joe Atkins
Democrat-MN-52B
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) 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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Pat Garofalo
Republican-MN-58B
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) Y
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
Failed HF 2536 Women’s Economic Security Act – Conference committee report
(5/7/2014)
Y
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Laurie Halverson
Democrat-MN-51B
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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) N
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) N
Passed SF 663 Recycling mandate, metro - Hornstein amendment (4/24/2014) Y
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) 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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Rick Hansen
Democrat-MN-52A
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) 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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Sandra Masin
Democrat-MN-51A
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) 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
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88th Regular Legislative Session 2014 Scorecard
Representative Anna Wills
Republican-MN-57B
Result Name of the Legislation Vote Score
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
Passed HF 1777 Omnibus tax bill (3/21/2014) Y
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
Failed HF 2536 Women’s Economic Security Act – Conference committee report
(5/7/2014)
Y