2009 Public Policy Positions

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The MRCC engages its members in developing a policy and advocacy agenda that reflects the concerns and priorities of the Regional business community.  The scope of issues reflects the wide array of interests of our membership and dictates our involvement at all levels of government. 

Throughout the year, our members and staff will work with local, regional and state policymakers to assure the voice of Chamber members is heard as decisions are considered and made that will impact the economic and cultural future of the Minneapolis Region.  We encourage our members to become involved with Chamber efforts to impact the policymaking in our region and state by getting involved in the MRCC Public Policy Committee or being involved in grassroots advocacy efforts on specific policy initiatives. 

The Chamber’s impact is only as strong as our members’ involvement.

 

 

Transportation

Summary:

The MRCC believes that policymakers must show leadership in making choices that will allow our regional transportation system to accommodate an expanding population and economy.  A continued investment in transportation systems allow for the reliable movement of people and goods, and enhance the economic competitiveness and quality of life for the region. 

The MRCC supports:

  • Allocating resources for the most egregious points of congestion
  • Implementing the recommendations from the Governor’s appointed Transportation Efficiency Task Force (due early 2009)
  • Providing necessary state bonding for the Southwest Transitway project to keep it on its targeted 2015 deadline
  • Developing an inter-modal transit station that will service the Southwest, Hiawatha and Central LRTs, and the North Star commuter rail
  • Initiatives that incorporate free-flow, congestion pricing into major transportation projects
  • Research and development efforts to identify and evaluate new ways to fund transportation in the state
  • Programs that assist those businesses that are directly impacted by road construction projects

The MRCC opposes:

  • Increases on the motor fuels tax or metro area sales tax for transit
  • Appropriating the sales tax on leased vehicles for non-transportation purposes
  • Using revenues collected from the metro area sales tax for purposes other than intended in the 2008 transportation funding bill

 

 

Economic Development

Summary:

The MRCC believes that investments in Minnesota’s professional sports teams, entertainment venues and retail /commercial complexes are important to maintaining a healthy business environment. Just as important to our community are small business growth and development. All are significant regional assets that make important contributions to the regional economy and our quality of life. The MRCC supports economic development proposals that can create jobs and generate additional commerce and tourism for the state, or enhances the region’s attractiveness to potential employers and employees. Specifically, the MRCC supports:

  • Efforts by the Vikings and the MSFC to resolve the longstanding issue of building a new multipurpose professional sports stadium
  • Partnerships with stakeholders to develop the region as a premier location for green business and manufacturing development
  • Programs that support the growth and development of small businesses in our region

 

 

Public Safety

Summary:

Our leaders must continue to improve the public safety of our region with relentless effort. The MRCC recognizes that public safety questions are difficult and not subject to quick fix approaches. However, the Chamber suggests a number of policy efforts and supports:

  • Current funding levels for public safety personnel and programs
  • Coordinating law enforcement efforts across agency boundaries
  • Initiatives that address livability crimes and prevent neighborhood degradation
  • Continued efforts to forge public-private partnerships that are designed to improve public safety across our region
  • Technology, such as “shot spotter” and cameras, as a tactic to prevent and prosecute criminal actions

 

Affordable Housing

Summary:

The MRCC recognizes a strong regional economy requires a wide range of housing options for our workforce and customers throughout the core The MRCC is committed to partnering with employers, public central cities. agencies, interest groups and the citizens of the region to develop solutions for affordable housing and the current foreclosure crisis. The following positions are based on the principle that affordable housing initiatives are most effective if coordinated across the region. The MRCC supports:

  •  Allocating resources to address the current crisis of an increasing number of foreclosed, vacant and blighted properties
  •  Initiatives of the city to buy foreclosed properties to refurbish and resell, some through the use of federal grants
  •  Eliminating barriers that prevent the construction of new affordable housing or the preservation of existing affordable housing stock
  •  Involving directly foundations, nonprofits and the business community in the development of affordable housing units
  •  Promoting the preservation and restoration of the existing affordable housing stock, as well as new construction opportunities

 

Energy

Summary:

The MRCC realizes there are numerous national and international factors that impact energy costs and reliability. We are committed to working with local and state policy makers and partners in the business community to ensure our region and state pursue policies that will increase energy availability, affordability and reliability for commercial and personal consumers. This comprehensive approach encompasses examining cost-effective methods of encouraging alternative energy development and use. The MRCC partners with the Minnesota Chamber on its efforts to advocate for sound energy policy and we support their position to repeal the state’s ban on considering nuclear energy as a source of base load electricity. The MRCC also supports:

  • Efforts to engage in energy conservation and to support and encourage energy conservation practices
  •  Increased electricity generation from a variety of sources, technologies and producers as long as its cost-effective
  •  Broad-based equity on taxes for energy suppliers and energy generation that will ensure Minnesota is competitive with other states
  •  Streamlined regulatory systems and greater stability in those processes to allow energy producers to maximize cost efficiencies
  •  Exploring the feasibility of state tax incentives for businesses that implement energy saving technology in their operational systems

 

Environment

Summary:

The MRCC recognizes that the quality of environmental resources in our region and state are vital to our continued high quality of life and economic growth. The MRCC members are committed to working in partnership with policy makers to ensure environmental policies are implemented and advanced based on sound scientific data and on overall economic benefit. The MRCC partners with the Minnesota Chamber on its efforts to advocate for sound environmental policy. In addition, MRCC supports the following:

  • Public-private partnership efforts to address environmental concerns in our region and state
  •  State-led efforts to meet federal impaired water mitigation regulations.
  •  Sound scientific data and rationale being the basis for environmental policy development
  •  Innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  •  Land use policy that respects the rights of private property owners
  •  Efforts to protect and maintain wetlands

 

 

Health Care

Summary:

The MRCC recognizes that health care policy issues are complex and addressing them is critical to our region. State actions and policies should support increased access to health insurance for our state’s uninsured. Those who are insured make better choices about their health care and decrease the cost of health care for the business community. The MRCC believes the following items will move the state closer to the goal of insurance coverage for all Minnesotans:

  •  Reforms that create better transparency in pricing, costs and quality, not only for the individual service but the full episode of care
  •  Additional purchasing opportunities for smaller businesses
  •  Partnerships to study and implement innovative solutions to health care problems
  •  Initiatives that promote and reward good public health and wellness practices as a means of controlling costs within the marketplace

 

 

Taxation

Summary:

The MRCC recognizes that the myriad of tax policy questions facing the business community is complex and can change from year to year. We believe in responsible government that provides basic services, public safety and care for those in need as part of a stable budget system where priorities are set and a budget is adhered to. State and local government must be accountable to operating within a budget system where revenues are not disproportionately growing at rates above the level of Minnesota’s economic growth and/or inflation. MRCC maintains the following positions:

  •  Opposes changes that would negatively impact the tax burden of commercial and industrial property owners
  •  Opposes the use of fees and regulatory changes as a means to simply increase general revenue
  •  Supports efforts at all levels of government to build collaboration and streamline processes in order to maximize efficiencies

 

Workforce Development

Summary:

Workforce development is on the most important challenges facing employers today. Demographic studies suggest current workforce shortages to be long-term and member surveys indicate employers are concerned worker preparedness. To correct this problem, the MRCC supports:

  • Programs that provide workforce readiness and real-world training to high school students
  •  Skills training programs that target under-skilled job seekers and provide career advancement opportunities
  •  Systems within higher education that are responsive to employer workforce needs across all industries
  •  International workers that can meet workforce demands and sanctions on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers

 

 

 

Additional Information

For additional information, questions, or concerns, contact MRCC Director of Public Policy, Travis Bunch.