Regular People, Extraordinary Outcomes

Happy Valentines Day! And congrats to L.A. Rams.  A great game – that last drive was epic.
 
Most of you know our annual meeting is this Thursday. We are thrilled to welcome our keynote speaker, General Paul Nakasone – Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), and Chief of the Central Security Service.  
 
There’s a story there…  
40 years ago I was 18 years old, preparing to graduate from Woodbury High School and head off for an upcoming freshman year at the College of St. Benedict. No clue about a life plan. Four years later as I approached graduation,  I was the co-cadet commander of my ROTC battalion, the Fighting Saints. I shared that rank with our keynote speaker and friend, Paul Nakasone (a graduate of White Bear Area High School). A rather serious, focused, smart young man, Paul always seemed to be certain about his path forward.
 
That intimidated me because I had no clue about my own life’s plan. I was a late starter. My progress largely was defined by: “in the absence of clarity, just do the next right thing.” As I did that, time and again the path forward would become clear.
 
Along the way and from a distance I’ve watched Paul’s professional career. In his journey is something for all of us to take away: regular, knowable people can do extraordinary things. Like Paul. Like you. 
 
Speaking of extraordinary people, I’d like to introduce you to Kalyn Hove of Comcast. Listen to her interview on B’s Table Talk – and find out what 5 words she uses to describe her 2021. Hint: one of them is “Resilience”!
 
See you in the trenches.
B

• COVID-19 guidelines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering updating its guidelines on the metrics that states and localities use to impose coronavirus-related public health measures such as mask mandates as new cases of the omicron variant fall and governors take their own steps to return to normal. 
• Vaccine mandate for federal workers blocked by 2nd court.

• January inflation is highest in 40 years, with no letup in sight. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that CPI, a broad measure of consumer prices, rose an astounding 7.5% on an annual basis in January. It as 7.1% in December and 6.7% in November.  At the same time, other figures could suggest that the price increases have begun to slow.
• How inflation and tangled supply lines are gripping the economy.
• Surging inflation heightens Fed debate over how fast to raise rates.
• State tax collections higher than forecast in January. 25% higher than anticipated, largely from corporate franchise tax collections.

​Public Safety:

• SPPD Chief Axtell writes to Mayor Carter they are down 100 officers from sworn strength of 619… and are losing officers to better paying jobs at other agencies.

​Federal

• Government funding: To avoid a shutdown on Friday, the Senate will need to pass — and Biden will need to sign — the House-passed legislation to fund the government through March 11. What we're watching: There's no expectation the stopgap measure will fail, but there are a couple themes to keep your eye on looking ahead. First, a number of public works projects authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law were not covered by the continuing resolution, putting their start dates on hold as lawmakers draft an omnibus spending package for the current fiscal year. Second, while lawmakers have announced agreement on a top-line figure for the omnibus legislation, it hasn't been written yet, setting up potential haggling in the coming weeks.

 
State:

• A bipartisan effort to refill the Unemployment Insurance trust fund took a big step forward this week, as SF2677 was passed out of Finance committee on an unanimous 10-0 vote. The bill could be taken up on the Senate floor as early as this week. 
• What you need to know about Minnesota redistricting. See how proposed plans would affect you.

 
Regional

• Minneapolis, St. Paul end vaccination-or-test order for bars, eateries. Masks are still required in indoor public spaces.  Mayor Carter discusses his decision.
• Details on Rent Control are still illusive in St. Paul.

 
Read more updates in our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update.

• Our biggest event of every year is our Annual Meeting. More crucial than ever today is cyber security, and we’ll be hearing about that this year from this country’s preeminent voice: Join us on February 17 at RiverCentre to hear from the Director of the NSA/Cyber Command, General Paul Nakasone. ​
• Leadership Saint Paul’s 2022 class (best class ever?) kicks off in March.  If you looking to participate in this phenomenal leadership program and build a cohort of relationships to stay with you for the rest of your career, check it out! Applications can be submitted through the end of the month.  ​

• Interested in who has been selected for the 2022 Minneapolis-Saint Paul cohorts for the Young American Leaders program? Included are Chamber staff and partners. Read on and congratulate them!
• 2022 Minnesota YALP - MSP Cohort (May 18-20, 2022)
  • Joseph Adamji, Science Museum of Minnesota
  • Kari Collins, Ramsey County
  • Katharine Tripp Fleury, Target Corporation
  • Safia Khan, Minnesota Department of Corrections
  • Amanda Koonjbeharry, Tunheim
  • Cheniqua Johnson, Saint Paul & Minnesota Community Foundation
  • Andrea Larson, Cargill Corporation
  • Kelly McNamara, Mortenson
  • Sakhaudiin Ahmed Mohamud, WellShare International
  • Nelima Sitati Munene, African Career Education & Resource, Inc
  • Meghan Curry O'Connell, CDC Foundation
  • Shannon Watson, St. Paul Area Chamber, Majority in the Middle
  • Wendy Underwood, Catholic Charities of Saint Paul & Minneapolis
  • Mary Uran, Girls on the Run Minnesota
  • Jennifer White, City of Minneapolis Office of Violence Prevention
  • Yao Yaj, Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce
• 2022 National YALP - MSP Cohort (June 21-24, 2022)
  • Jake Blumberg, GiveMN
  • Prince Corbett, Ramsey County
  • Jason George, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49
  • Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, Unidos MN
  • Ethelind Kaba, Ann Bancroft Foundation
  • Abdirahman Kahin, Afro Deli
  • Tina May, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
  • Adine S. Momoh, Stinson LLP
  • Chris Schmitter, Office of Governor Tim Walz
  • Irma Marquez Trapero, LatinoLEAD

• Timberwolves, Lynx partner with Deluxe to launch digital series, highlighting Black business owners in the Twin Cities.
• Latino businesses “hanging in there” despite pandemic and unrest. Researchers say too many business owners didn’t receive federal funds designed to help them weather the pandemic.
• Forge North wants to guide Minnesota startups to corporate partners.

• Federal Funding Hub
  • Bonus: Ramsey County  will give $500 to $1000 pandemic bonuses to union staff members including public health nurses, parks workers, social workers, financial-assistance workers and nursing home staff, using some of the $108 million in federal aid as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to cover the bonuses. 
  • Join Route Fifty on February 15th for Follow the Money. Financial leaders and budget officers will discuss how they're managing the influx of federal funds and developing processes and structures to ensure these funds can create generational change.
  • For more information on ARPA/federal funding opportunities, check out the Federal Funding Hub!  
• Gold Line gets Washington County’s OK. Housing alongside rapid-bus route announced.  
• St. Paul reveals early plans for 1.5 mile River Balcony promenade.
• 10 real estate developments reshaping the Twin Cities in 2022.