Chamber tours state, talks legislative session

Following each legislative session, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce policy team travels the state, visiting businesses and breaking down what the legislative outcomes mean for employers. Last month, our Statewide Policy Tour attended 14 stops and met hundreds of Minnesota’s business leaders.

Businesses ranged from small manufacturing companies to banks to an airplane manufacturer giving our team a look at Minnesota’s thriving entrepreneurs. The stops took place in all corners of the state: from Grand Forks to Winona and everywhere in between. The tours, informative discussions and real-life stories help to shape Chamber policy going into the 2020 session.

New this year was a live polling feature to gauge reaction on a number of legislative issues. Though not a representative sample of Minnesota Chamber membership or the business community as a whole, the polls spotlighted what issues were important to leaders at the stop. Around the state, a number of themes did come through in various policy areas.

The main issues highlighted by businesses were proposed workplace mandates, Minnesota's workforce shortage and increased taxes. The tour also looked at various horizon issues with the topic of recreational marijuana creating the most discussion. Many questions were raised about the impact recreational marijuana would have on the workplace, concerns about safety and interaction with federal laws. Heading into the 2020 Legislature and beyond, this will be a workforce question facing Minnesota’s business community.

The Chamber is heading back on the road in December for another Statewide Policy Tour; stay tuned for details on dates and locations.