​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

Last October Todd Axtell announced his decision to step down from his position as Police Chief of the City of St. Paul. This past Thursday, almost 200 people gathered to give Chief Axtell a fantastic send-off (most assuredly just one of many), marking the conclusion of his 33-year career.  Saying goodbye to the Chief, wishing him well in future endeavors, was bittersweet. Ever an inclusive, people-first leader, Chief Axtell embodies the essence of our well-respected police force: “trusted service with respect.” He will be missed.
 
The event was at times funny, touching, poignant. He was honored by friends and colleagues, thanked most sincerely by the Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, teased playfully by former Mayor Chris Coleman. He was congratulated by former Chiefs Harrington and Smith, and retired City Councilmembers and police officers Debbie Montgomery and Dan Bostrom, the latter who was Axtell’s boss many years ago on the force. When it was his turn to speak, even then – on a day celebrating him - Axtell turned his comments towards the police department members, both sworn and unsworn, thanking them for their dedication.
 
Back in October Axtell offered thoughts on his departure, and they echoed for me on Thursday. He said, “I’ve learned from those I admire that when you possess the heart of a public servant, you never stop trying to make a positive difference in the lives of your neighbors.” Indeed.
 
Since he took the helm in 2016, Axtell ushered in changes and lived by his commitment for ever-increased transparency and accountability. He encouraged historic levels of community engagement, and was committed to diversifying the department and embracing innovative ideas that can help people stay out of the criminal justice system.
 
Some key examples include: under Axtell’s leadership, the SPPD initiated the expansion of its training program to include crisis intervention training for all officers, Ethical Policing Is Courageous (EPIC) training, moral courage training, de-escalation and disengagement training, and use of force training that emphasizes reductions in injuries to subjects and officers. The SPPD also established the Law Enforcement Career Path Academy (LECPA), focused on recruiting diverse adults between the ages of 18-24 who reside in Saint Paul and come from a low-income family or who face a barrier to employment. The 2019 SPPD Academy class included the first LECPA graduates, helping to make it the most diverse class in the history of the department—30 of the 39 graduates were women and/or BIPOC. This has helped diversify the SPPD ranks; at the end of 2020, 28 percent of officers were BIPOC, compared to 18 percent just four years earlier. In addition, in March of 2021, Chief Axtell signed the 30x30 pledge, to work towards increasing the number of female recruits at SPPD to 30 percent by 2030.
 
Another example of innovation can be found in the SPPD’s Community Outreach and Stabilization Unit (COAST), which is a program based on two nationally recognized police mental health collaborative best practices—a co-responder program and a case management program. The unit, which was originally launched in 2016 to focus on mental health calls, has expanded over the past couple years to include a chemical dependency program and a homeless/un-sheltered outreach program. It is a shining example of what can be accomplished when communities, social service providers and police departments work together to address emerging issues in innovative ways.
 
These changes and many others have helped to make the Saint Paul Police Department a model for excellence in policing.
 
Axtell wrote to the department’s officers last October that they’ve “taken what those who came before us built and made it stronger. You’ve watched over St. Paul through unprecedented unrest,” he wrote to them. “You’ve responded to human tragedies that our community has never before experienced. You’ve worked longer hours with fewer colleagues and never stopped being there for the people in the throes of life’s worst moments. And you’ve done it all under glaring and often harsh scrutiny. I’m so incredibly proud of all of you.”
The same can be said about you, Todd. We are better for your service, and are deeply grateful for your commitment to service and to our city.
 
On a side note: St. Paul has named a police chief selection committee. I applied and was accepted on the committee. Meetings will begin in late May/early June. I’ll keep you all posted on the progress.
 
See you in the trenches.
B

 Federal:

• Title 42: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set for Wednesday afternoon testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee. The subject of President Joe Biden's decision to repeal the Title 42 public health order that has allowed the federal government to expediently turn away migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border is sure to be a topic of discussion.  Why it's worth watching: Mayorkas is said to have told lawmakers he is concerned about the policy's scheduled end on May 23 - echoing worries expressed by a number of vulnerable Democrats about sparking a greater surge of migrants at the border. While the White House has said it is "planning and preparing" to overturn the policy next month, an Axios report indicates there are discussions about a delay.
• Foreign Policy will host its 2022 Climate Summit virtually on Wednesday and Thursday. What we're watching: The two-day event will focus on climate change, specifically "how to make up for lost time and achieve global commitments collaboratively, innovatively and inclusively." One of the speakers will be John Kerry, the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate. Kerry's comments will be of interest amid the recent U.S. push to increase domestic oil production, including most recently on public lands, and export more natural gas to countries that are turning away from Russian energy sources as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Two recent interviews: The Washington Post (he hasn't seen "evidence" yet that current climate pledges are reducing emissions enough to keep the goals on track) and Bloomberg Television (Kerry said global reliance on natural gas should be limited to about a decade unless the emissions from the fossil fuel are fully captured).

 
State:

• Governor’s 4th State of the State Address. You can watch a recording on his YouTube channel.  After blasting the legislature over the unemployment insurance debate last week, I found the Governor’s address to be very inclusive, inviting all to work together to advance his legislative priorities – and his vision for the future of Minnesota. He reminded us that “we’re gritty, resilient, strong, and diverse. No matter how divided it may seem at times, we’re still connected.”  And his challenge to the legislature:  “let’s try to lead by the example of these servant leaders [introduced earlier this evening]. We can show our constituents that we can move together. Why don’t we show the rest of the country? All are aching for a lack of chaos, more civility, answers. Show them we have the capacity. We’ll have to compromise on issues we aren’t totally happy about. We don’t compromise on core values; together we can tackle issues.”   
• Six big things that could get done at the Minnesota Legislature: Here’s a look at six big issues that might still get finished — or be seen as the biggest lost opportunities of the 2022 Minnesota Legislature. One of the issues that were brought forth was how to spend the remaining federal ARPA dollars. Note that lack of UI trust fund makes Minnesota an outlier – and not in a good way.   

 
Regional

• Rent control goes into effect in St. Paul on May 1. The comment period on the administration's proposed rules and procedures closed on April 22. The city will publish the final guidelines by April 29.

 
Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update