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What is — or isn’t — happening at the Minnesota State Capitol

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Last Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum in the Minnesota House is 68 members, not the 67 that House Republicans had been operating under since the session began on January 14. This decision means that the first few weeks of hearings, bill introductions, and legislative work now appear to be invalidated by the courts.

Currently, Republicans hold a 67-to-66-member advantage, with the final vacant seat to be determined by a special election likely to take place in March. In the meantime, the GOP and DFL caucuses must decide how to approach a potential power-sharing agreement. Now, as we enter February and the special election remains more than a month away, much remains uncertain, and valuable time is slipping away.

House Democrats continue to boycott all legislative activities, preventing a quorum and halting work in the Minnesota House. Meanwhile, over in the Minnesota Senate, Democrats regained control following a special election this week to replace Senator Kerry Dziedzic, who sadly passed away last year.

We hope to see meaningful work happen in St. Paul this year — there are critical issues to address, and the stakes are high when it comes to the direction of our state. We urge our elected leaders to come together, put differences aside, and get back to work. There’s important business to be done, not just for the business community but for all Minnesotans.

One of the hearings that unfortunately became moot due to the House stalemate was the environmental permitting reform hearing we discussed on the podcast last week. We had the opportunity to present on behalf of this vital legislation, which aims to improve the state’s permitting process while maintaining Minnesota’s high environmental standards. We remain hopeful and expect to present this legislation again soon, making real bipartisan progress this year.

This issue is a prime example of how we can strike a balance in our state — thoughtful policymaking that improves Minnesota’s economic outlook while ensuring bipartisan cooperation. Support for this reform continues to grow through the work of our coalition and partners at the Capitol and across the state.

Another persistent challenge facing Minnesota’s employers is how to develop a strong talent pipeline for the future. Workforce shortages are a common concern when I travel across the state, and solutions to this issue don’t just come from legislative action, they happen at the community level, where businesses collaborate to build sustainable programs.

A great example can be found in Owatonna. Over the past year, 13 members of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation’s Business Education Network have participated in the Greater Twin Cities United Way Future Ready Workforce Fund program. This partnership provides grant funding to local chambers of commerce, in collaboration with the Minnesota Chamber and Foundation, to offer high-quality paid work experiences aligned with career pathways for youth in their communities.

Owatonna’s local efforts showcase the impact of this program. The high school now features several career pathway learning labs, including facilities for nursing, culinary arts, digital fabrication, science, and engineering. This initiative is just one example of how local communities are actively working to address Minnesota’s long-term workforce challenges, connecting students with employers, helping them explore high-demand career opportunities, and strengthening the state’s workforce.

This program, led by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation in partnership with local communities, demonstrates the Chamber’s unique ability to solve challenges at the local level through our national and state networks.

We look forward to catching up with you on next week’s episode of the Minnesota Business Podcast!