I had an epiphany this weekend

I was sick this weekend, spent a lot of time in bed and on Xfinity, Netflix, Amazon Prime (the latest musical version of Cinderella, with my favorite Idena Mendez, was fabulous BTW). I had lots of time to think, much of it about you. The burden we all have been carrying has weighed us down; maybe I’m not the only one who needed a weekend in bed.
 
What I dwelled on especially was what “cracked pots” we all are. Each week I talk to so many people, with such a wide variety of talents, skills, responsibilities, burdens. Not one of us is “perfect” in any of it. And, after these past 2 years, we’ve changed. We all carry scars; more now.
 
I used to think my scars flawed me. And I guess in a way they do. But if I can release my own need to be “perfect” in my work, perhaps I can breathe a little easier. In fact, it is our scars that make us uniquely perfect for what is in our lives now.  It is an unexpected truth, perhaps, but one you, too, need to get comfortable with: you are uniquely capable for the work before you. Your passion, your ideas, your care. Scars and all.
 
And the idea that you’re not enough, on your own, for all the work ahead? We need to get comfortable with that as well. Because it’s true.  We can’t “change the world” on our own. That said, needing and asking for help can be hard; the “thank you” harder. Because other people’s generosity can feel like a rebuke. May it never be so. What we need moving forward, as we gather ourselves for the future ahead, is a good old-fashioned barn raising.  I need you and I promise that I’ll be there for you, too. I’m quite good with a hammer.
 
See you in the trenches.
B

What do we know about the omicron variant in Minnesota? More omicron has been detected as hospitals strain under the Delta variant. A second case was found in December 1. It was detected in a Hennepin County resident who had returned from an anime convention in New York City. He started getting symptoms a couple days before he was tested on Nov. 24. That’s the same day the variant was first reported to the World Health Organization by scientists in South Africa.  He tested positive for the omicron variant before the public had even heard of it, let alone figured out how to pronounce it. It was also in Minnesota and California before President Biden restricted travel from southern Africa.  A 3rd federal team will arrive in Minnesota to support hospitals with COVID-19 treatment and patient care. In addition, the Minnesota National Guard is preparing for nursing home deployment.
 
A new generation of COVID-19 treatments – pills – will soon be available, and they matter more than many people realize.
 
Biden announces new COVID travel restrictions, extends mask mandate.
 
Here are links providing booster information:

• Boosters / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov)
• COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov)

Inflationary pressures no longer considered “transitory.”  Last week Fed Reserve Chair Powell said he was retiring the word “transitory” to describe the inflation that’s been felt through much of 2021. 

U.S. November jobs report falls well short of expectations. The U.S. added 210K jobs in November, lower than the 573K jobs estimated. Meanwhile, unemployment fell to 4.2%, exceeding expectations of 4.5%.   

December 2021 U.S. Economic Outlook report by Morning Consult: confidence is stable, but risks are mounting. 

​The Governor convened the Council on Economic Expansion, focused on how to spend the next $1B of our federal dollars. See the Phase 1 Report here.

​Federal:

• Congressional deadlines: With the government funded until Feb. 19, Congress is turning its attention to two rapidly approaching deadlines: the expiration of the National Defense Authorization Act at the end of the year and the need to raise the federal debt limit. What we're watching: The otherwise unrelated issues are reportedly coming up in the same conversations on Capitol Hill, with Senate leaders discussing tying the two measures together as part of a year-end package. Both House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have poured cold water on the idea, and Hoyer is pushing to pass each item separately this week.

• Build Back Better: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is said to be planning to bring the Build Back Better Act to the Senate floor as soon as next week, with lawmakers hoping to get the massive climate and social spending bill to Biden's desk by the end of the year. What we're watching: Schumer's got a lot of work ahead of him, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reportedly on the precipice of killing the inclusion of a national paid family and medical leave program and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) still withholding her public support for the overall package. And according to Punchbowl News, the Arizonan is telling colleagues she does not think the Build Back Better Act will pass the Senate before Christmas.

 
State:

• On Nov 23, House Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Walz requesting action to avert an impending tax increase on Minnesota businesses set to begin on December 15th to address the debt of more than $1 billion for the state's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund. To date, no response from the Governor's office or DEED.

 
Regional

• Divided St. Paul City Council approves $3.5M in federal relief money for police radios.
• St. Paul residents facing property tax hikes condemn proposed levy increase.

 
 
Public Affairs Issue Forums: one final forum to finish out the year:

• Housing Math – December 8, 10-11am. Register here.

 
Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

​Holiday Events ahead in St. Paul!
​
Join Catholic Charities for a new holiday tradition this year: their Warming House presented by Luther Automotive on Friday, December 10, and Saturday, December 11, 2021. Located at the North parking lot at the Mall of America, this free, outdoor holiday event brings together the entire Twin Cities community for a fun, festive holiday experience. //cctwincities.org/warming-house/
 
The Rice Larpenteur Alliance is excited to present the Shop Local Guide.
 
Your Chamber’s annual Holiday Open House is back December 9 – with a special twist to thank businesses for their years of partnership. We look forward to seeing you there!

This particular topic is especially important to me. Every week I strive to bring resource to bear, to help all of us think differently about how to be – and build -leaders. I think a lot about my own team, and the trust they place in me every day to lead our organization and develop them. In order to do that the best I can, I look to mentors, I read books, and I listen to others who have gone before me. Here’s a good message to listen to. Simon Sinek talks about two things great leaders need to have: empathy and perspective. Our real job is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of people in our charge.  A powerful paradigm shift.  ​

The Center for Economic Inclusion is the nation’s first organization dedicated exclusively to advancing inclusive growth to achieve regional prosperity. The Center has released a new Racial Equity Dividends Index, a comprehensive tool for businesses to measure progress towards building a racially equitable and inclusive workplace. Learn more here.

Single-family permits fall again. Construction activity is running well ahead of last year’s pace through November, but recent trends in the market are causes for concern. In Nov, permits for single family dwellings were down 12% year-over-year, the 3rd consecutive monthly decline.  

Bethesda Hospital may return to health care in 2022 after serving as emergency homeless shelter.  

Wealth building on the East Side: St. Paul Port Authority seeks community voices for Hillcrest.  

Rice & Larpenteur Alliance: revitalizing a community: three east metro cities join forces to renew the intersection where they meet.  
 
​One-mile stretch in Oakdale gets ready for a $1.3B growth spurt.  With St. Paul rent cap approved, developer hitting brakes on some Highland Bridge projects.