Welcome, summer! Yesterday we honored military members who have died in service to our country with deepest respect. When next you meet a veteran, or as you love one, know that we depend on your support. To my brother and sister veterans, I salute you. And I thank you.
 
This week I also have been thinking about alewives…. You heard me. Kathleen Lohmar Exel told me all about them. For the first time since 1783, alewives return to China Lake. The last time alewives made the 70-mile journey from the ocean to China Lake in central Maine, the American Revolution had just come to an end in 1783. Since then, the sea run fish, also known as river herring, have been blocked from their historic spawning grounds by a series of dams. But this past week, something remarkable happened: the fish returned. It is especially interesting in that it was a small group of people who made the impossible, possible AND it involves fish ladders. You’ll have to read about that…
 
Real change and real transformation always starts small. People united by an idea and driven by passion. Small groups of people, changing the world. 
 
We, too, can manifest the remarkable.
 
See you in the trenches.
B

Federal

• Democrats' policy limbo: Democrats are floating past their soft Memorial Day deadline for a deal on a scaled-back reconciliation package to advance pieces of President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" domestic policy agenda. According to The Hill, the new deadline for draft legislation is the August recess.  Why it's worth watching: A successful vote as late as September, as that timeline suggests, on such a high partisan priority seems highly unlikely in an election year, but Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) continues to insist that his party should be able to line up behind a measure to reduce prescription drug costs, cut the deficit and fight climate change. Biden and his party need something: Last week's Morning Consult/Politico survey found that just 36% of Democrats "strongly" approve of the president's job performance and the party's voters are less likely than Republicans to express enthusiasm about showing up at the polls this November.
• IIJA aka BIL:
  • The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $2.9 billion of funding for major infrastructure projects now available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The funding represents three major discretionary grant programs that will be combined into one Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant opportunity, aka MEGA. 
  • In addition to investments in transportation, energy, water, and broadband infrastructure, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act included substantial funding to increase the resilience of communities to climate change and natural disasters, as well as cyber threats.  
• The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has granted a temporary waiver for complying with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's new Buy America requirement for construction materials. 

 
State:

• Minnesota Legislature adjourns 2022 regular session without passing tax cut, spending bills. With more money to spend than any previous even-numbered year Legislature, there were resources to do some of what both Republicans and DFLers wanted: tax cuts, new spending and even additional savings. Having $9.25 billion in surplus and more than $1 billion in federal cash from the American Rescue Plan meant both parties could get some of what they wanted.  
• On Sunday, Minnesota Legislature approves $18.4 million to address drought relief and includes $110 million to help build more high-speed internet infrastructure in Minnesota. The broadband funds are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.  
• Frontline Worker Pay application system is expected to open on June 8, sign up for email updates.
• Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is back in the black by repaying all advances from the U.S. Treasury! Employers should receive a letter from DEED with information about the tax changes and credits to ensure everyone has the information they need to move forward. Learn more.​

 
Regional

• Purple Line route modifications under consideration. Plans for the proposed METRO Purple Line, a new Bus Rapid Transit line in Ramsey County, are getting another look. Project staff is looking at ending the now 15-mile line somewhere along County Road E, between Highway 61 and Interstate 35E in Vadnais Heights or at the Maplewood Mall Transit Center.

 
Subscribe to our Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

​This Wednesday, May 25, marks the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. There are several events planned in the Twin Cities this week with most occurring in Minneapolis. There is one event currently planned for St. Paul which will be on the afternoon of the 25th, at the Governor's residence on Summit Avenue.
 
Reflecting on these last two years, highlighted by Floyd’s murder and also so many others before and since, requires that we consider lessons learned within the context of their lives, the conditions around them, and whether or not there was fairness in the systems in their lives as there was for people who have more privileged lives. If anything, my learning has deepened my grief. The Center for Public Integrity last week published a piece on George Floyd’s life, shaped by racism, that “tells an American story.” A worthy read.
 
The question: what has changed? Minnesota, a state known for its progressive politics and economic opportunity, has become the ugly epicenter of an American reckoning on race and justice. An article by The Washington Post tells us that two years after Floyd’s death, “Black Minnesotans say little has changed.”  I can’t deny that reality; that said, I am seeing commitment to change: funding, policy, and – most important to my mind – heart changes. Most recently, 25+ corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders launched the GroundBreak Coalition to deploy $2 billion of capital around MSP towards BIPOC entrepreneurship and other key areas.  Time will tell; “hopeful skepticism” still abounds.
 
Lest we forget: our continued response must be grounded in authentic, proactive change.

​See you in the trenches.
B

Federal

• Police reform: This Wednesday marks two years since George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. While lawmakers on Capitol Hill appear to have thrown in the towel on police reform, Biden is said to be ready to take his own action in the coming weeks via executive order.  Why it's worth watching: Two years later, the mass popular interest has swung from reforming policing practices to tackling crime, leaving Biden on tricky territory ahead of the midterm elections as he balances the desire from his base to rein in law enforcement officers and key voters' interest in keeping communities safe. 
• The Senate failed to advance a $48 billion aid package for restaurants and other small businesses in a 52-43 procedural vote, likely marking the end of the effort to assist industries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as the Biden administration's coronavirus supplemental spending package remains stalled.
• IIJA aka BIL: 
  • It’s been six months since the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed Congress on a strong bipartisan vote. This law finally broke the congressional logjam on infrastructure, which had been the subject of much debate and hand-wringing for years. Now, six months later, implementation of the IIJA is proceeding at a breakneck pace. 
  • The White House released a map that shows how much Infrastructure Bill funding has been announced for work within states. 
• The White House: President Biden announced that $10 billion in American Rescue Plan funds have been committed to public safety – including at least $6.5 billion in State and Local funds committed by more than half of states and more than 300 communities across the country.  
• Broadband: The Biden administration on Friday made $45 billion in broadband funding from the bipartisan infrastructure act available to the states, emphasizing that they make sure any internet service that’s built is affordable not only to those with low incomes but to the middle class as well.  
• Housing: President Biden, as part of his effort to persuade Americans he’s trying to lower consumer costs, laid out a plan Monday to reduce home prices. The most significant initiative would give extra points for transportation dollars to states and localities that allow more multifamily housing in areas reserved for single-family homes. 

 
State:

• Sunday at 11:59PM was the constitutional adjournment of the Legislature. They failed to reach agreements on numerous omnibus bills. Special Session possible. Stay tuned for more info.
• Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio had an extended interview with Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan as they were endorsed at the DFL Convention in Rochester.  LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2022WCCOStream.  Along with Gov Walz, also endorsed unopposed were Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and State Auditor Julie Blaha.
• Bipartisan Deal: Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota’s top lawmakers struck a bipartisan deal to spend $8 billion of the state’s budget surplus over the next three years on tax cuts, infrastructure projects and new spending to address ongoing challenges from the coronavirus pandemic.  
• Lawmakers still at odds over public safety solutions (update as of Thursday, May 19, 4:30pm). That said, on Thursday evening the House repassed a conference agreement to add law enforcement supervisors unit.

 
Regional

• Ramsey County: The Board of Commissioners and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved an investment of $21.6 million into affordable housing developments. Here is a complete list of projects. More coverage is here. 

 
Subscribe to our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

​Federal

• COVID funding: Senate talks over $10 billion in COVID-19 funding remain at loggerheads, with Republicans demanding a vote to reverse the Biden administration's plan to curtail the Title 42 public health order that has enabled border authorities to quickly expel migrants seeking to enter the country via asylum declaration.  What we're watching: The Senate's No. 2 and No. 3 Democrats, Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois and Assistant Democratic Leader Patty Murray of Washington, appeared to open the door last week to giving Republicans what they want, but will their boss, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, come along? The stakes appear to be rising, with the White House reportedly facing the prospect of running its coronavirus response on a dwindling budget.
• The House Ways and Means Committee's oversight subcommittee will broadcast a hearing on "Taxpayer Fairness Across the IRS" on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig, meanwhile, will testify before the committee on Wednesday at 1 p.m. on the agency's fiscal year 2023 budget request. The SEC also has a date with the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday for its 2023 budget request.

 
State:

• Update on omnibus public safety policy and supplemental appropriation: conference committee hearings are ongoing. 
• Minnesota SF 3692: Omnibus tax bill: first conference committee hearing is Monday, May 16. 
• Who gets MN ‘hero pay’ and how unemployment tax hike will be returned to businesses.
• Final stretch at the Capitol, here's an overview of where things stand.
• Legislative leaders reach “broad framework” agreement.
• The Minnesota Senate passed their version of paid family leave but the bill's future in uncertain in the House.

 
Regional

• Met Council chair acknowledges transit rider behavior issues, says safety is top priority.
• Ramsey County offers to sell the Pond's Golf Course but its future is still in limbo.
• Will Rice Creek Commons more forward after new developments?

 
Subscribe to our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

I hope the weekend was good for you, that you had the opportunity to thank a woman in your life – or maybe your loved ones celebrated you? – for the gift of motherhood. I had a special dinner with my two adult children, and I know that I am, indeed, blessed among women.

So….. Invest: Insights interviewed me as part of their focus on the GreaterMSP region in 2022.  My interview was focused on Creativity. I watched it today, and I am proud of the work we’re doing to grow and partner creatively. Our mission, our reason for existing, is to champion our diverse employer community for an economically vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive region. And it all starts with creating connections that count.  Some of the leading requires that we challenge ourselves, embrace new ideas, course correct, and sometimes we need to outright change.

You can watch the entire interview here.

The week, amidst all going on in your life, don’t miss Wild vs Blues on Tuesday and Thursday this week. Our team is SHOWING UP, and the series has been terrific. Be sure to show the home team some love…

See you in the trenches.
B​

We are looking for a Vice President of Public Affairs and Public Affairs Specialist. Take a look and send good candidates our way!

State:

• The House, Senate, and the Governor came to an agreement last week and passed a bill refilling the Unemployment Insurance trust fund, eliminating the need for tax increases on businesses all over the state. In order to get all parties to agree, the UI fix had to be paired with essential worker bonuses in the same bill. Some lawmakers pointed out that making sure that our unemployment insurance trust fund is solvent IS a benefit to workers. At best, this bill served to hold businesses harmless, for a situation that they did not cause, and should not have to be forced to shoulder the burden.

• The legislature now has three weeks to finish the remainder of its work to find agreement on tax policy, spending initiatives, and a bonding bill.
• Prosecuting violent crime in the twin cities is a new focus of Minnesota's U.S. Attorney.

 
Regional:

• SPPD: Jeremy Ellison has been appointed as Interim Chief of Police for the Saint Paul Police Department. At the May 4 St. Paul City Council meeting, the City established a “Qualifications and Examining Committee” for the position of Police Chief. Follow the link to see the updated Committee Roster. Final adoption of the ordinance will be at May 11 CC meeting
• City of St. Paul:
  • Rent control went into effect in St. Paul on Sunday, May 1. Find the final rules, definitions, and process overview here. The Chamber is continuing to monitor the Mayor's stakeholder group, and will share the report when it is published this summer.
  • The City outlined in detail how they plan to spend their ARPA dollars on pg. 34 of the 2022 Adopted Budget.
  • Not long ago, the city of St. Paul opened a grant application process for tourism-related businesses that had been hard hit by a loss of foot traffic during the pandemic Seven applicants applied for a share of the $4.5 million in relief dollars, which stem from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council approved varying levels of grant funding for all seven applicants.
  • A Ramsey County judge says St. Paul has been billing street assessments incorrectly, creating an $18M hole in the budget.
• Washington County:  
  • Washington County, led by its County Board and Public Health & Environment Department, played a key role in the response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The county took a number of actions to address community needs early in the pandemic, and has used federal assistance through the Coronavirus Relief Act (CARES) and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) to support its businesses and residents. This document highlights and provides a summary of those activities.  
  • The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to amend the county’s American Rescue Plan Act April 19, to allow for programs for employment training and transitional housing. 
• The Met Council and Ramsey County are looking at options, based on White Bear Lake city council's narrow passage of an anti-Purple Line resolution.
  
  

Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

​Another departure from B’s Blog this week so that your Chamber Team can highlight Small Business Week and our Young Professionals Network. The St. Paul Area Chamber represents the largest and the smallest companies within the region – and country. We care deeply about small business and young professional growth because through both we see the future. Now is the time to invest in each, particularly as we recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic. You’ll see more representation for both -- on our board, in our work and at our gatherings -- and we hope to engage you every step of the way.

​Last week we joined our partners from the Dakota County, River Heights, and Woodbury Area Chambers for a gathering of Young Professionals from across the East Metro Region at the Minnesota Vikings Museum. As we welcome record numbers to these intentional gatherings at great new places and spaces, we are reminded how important our role is in building a stronger community by connecting people who might not cross paths without the Chamber.

We can’t say it enough -- by making space at the table for new faces and businesses, we are building an economically vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive region.
​
If you’re a small business or young professional in the East Metro Region, we’ve got a place for you. We are working together to create casual and easy conversations, and making meeting new people easy, comfortable, and fun!

If you’re a Chamber member, make sure your young professionals know they can take advantage of your Chamber benefits too and encourage them to keep updated by subscribing to our Young Professionals newsletter.

From small business and Young Professional specific events to meeting and connecting a new network at all Chamber events, we’re here to help grow leaders, grow roots to strengthen our community.

We know our network of businesses who come together to collaborate on and promote the interests of their businesses can be an invaluable resource for advice and we look forward to growing these efforts. Watch for new programming like our addition of Golf 101 to our Chamber Golf Classic and other innovative ways to make space at the table.
​
See more great photos here and please join us at our Home Run Lunch with the Minnesota Twins on May 13 or our next Chamber Connect event.
 
See you in the trenches,
 
Your Chamber Team