Minnesota on the national stage ahead of VP debate

This week, the upcoming elections are at the forefront of our minds. We’re in the final weeks of the 2024 election cycle, and much attention is being directed toward Governor Walz, who is the vice-presidential candidate for the Democratic Party on the national stage. This is an exciting development for our state.

Next week, we will witness the vice-presidential debate where Governor Walz will face off against Senator JD Vance, the GOP’s choice for vice president. As I reflect on this debate and our relationship with Governor Walz here in Minnesota, I appreciate his consistent presence at our annual Session Priorities event. This event typically takes place on the first or second day of the legislative session, gathering numerous Minnesota business leaders and elected officials for a dinner focused on the outlook for the upcoming session and the state’s economic performance.

I recall the time spent with Governor Walz during these events. We hold one-on-one sessions where he joins the four legislative caucus leaders to discuss crucial issues. The governor has a shared responsibility to protect, expand, and grow Minnesota's private sector economy, which serves as the engine of our economic success. Our discussions revolve around fiscal matters and key policy issues important to the business community.

Over the years, we’ve had substantive conversations about the impact of high costs on business growth in Minnesota. We often find points of agreement, such as the need to address the burdensome regulatory environment. For instance, we have engaged in robust discussions about our permitting process, particularly environmental permitting, which is significantly slower than in many competitive states. This slowdown hinders the timely completion of good projects, and I appreciate the governor's openness to finding ways to improve Minnesota’s performance in this area.

Of course, there are areas of disagreement as well. We always strive to work collaboratively on these issues to ensure the state's economic prosperity. Governor Walz has a long record of serving Minnesotans during challenging times, and today we face economic uncertainty with increasing cost pressures on businesses. Taxes and regulations play a significant role in this equation, and we want to ensure that Minnesota remains both competitive and affordable for residents and business owners alike.

As we move toward the elections this year, it’s crucial that we seize every opportunity to advocate for a business-friendly environment. We must avoid adding burdensome regulations that could jeopardize Minnesota’s competitive position, as we have seen in previous decades. Let’s work together to make real change happen and restore balance to policymaking in Minnesota, ensuring a thriving private sector economy for the future.

I encourage all business leaders and those sympathetic to the business agenda to get out and vote. Stay informed about the issues at stake and check your calendar. If November 5 is busy for you, consider taking advantage of early voting. Please visit the Chamber's website and the Minnesota Matters Coalition, which is dedicated to mobilizing and informing businesspeople during this election season.

Thank you for your commitment to engaging in the political process and ensuring positive outcomes this election season. I look forward to diving deeper into these topics with our special guest, Blois Olson, next week on the Minnesota Business Podcast.