Minnsights Blog

Each year, the Minnesota Chamber's Session Priorities event unofficially kicks off the legislative session. While it's a key way for the Chamber to share the business community's priorities, it's also a chance for legislative leaders to share priorities of their own. KSTP's Tom Hauser hosted a series of lightning round questions for the four legislative leaders: Speaker Melissa Hortman, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. Here are their answers:

As a part of the 2021 American Rescue Act (ARPA) Minnesota was awarded up to $97 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The SSBCI program is made up of six programs designed to fill financing gaps and operate in conjunction with private lenders. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will receive the funds in three disbursements, with the first being approximately $29.5 million.

The Minnesota Chamber hits the road twice each year for the Statewide Policy Tour to visit businesses and learn what policies at the Capitol impact their business. Ahead of the 2023 legislative session, the Chamber visited eight communities around the state to provide a preview of the upcoming session, and to listen to employers and employees on the issues that matter to them.

At the recent Women in Business: annual legislator luncheon, business leaders were joined by women legislators to discuss the policy impacts on Minnesota businesses. The keynote address took on a critical issue to the state’s business leaders: the workforce shortage. 

At the Minnesota Chamber’s 2022 Economic Summit, the experts weighed in on these topics and more. MPR political reporters Brian Bakst and Dana Ferguson joined Blois Olson of Fluence Media to discuss the political and policymaking landscape in Minnesota heading into the 2023 session.