Shifting Gears

I just spent a week in Indianapolis, at our Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE) annual conference. It was my first conference and I was energized with great work being done in Chambers across the country; and they aren’t always in the largest Chambers.  Amazing people, on the ground, serving employers with extraordinary creativity and energy.  I spent a lot of time thinking, too, about the season we are in.  Today, August 1, is my 5-year anniversary as the President and CEO in service to you at this Chamber. It’s been quite a season together thus far, yes? So much work has been done, building. And ahead I see that we are entering a new season, one of refining. We are shifting gears. And each gear requires different leadership skills.
 
First and second gears, our building season, have been about restarting, becoming productive and honing our competitive edge on your behalf. We’ve been innovative, we’ve challenged thinking (including our own), and leaned in where needed.  As we shift into third gear, our refining season, we are operationalizing the priorities and values we’ve laid out, executing on real work that helps businesses get access – to capital, to opportunity, to new business. And we’re investing in our team, building leaders within who can be increasingly impactful to you and joyfully connected to the work.
 
We also are responsible for providing a nurturing environment for innovation and invention. And we need partnerships more than ever. Because this is new territory for all of us. Thank you for your ideas, your service, your creativity, your allyship.
 
Thank you, too, for the privilege of serving you.  It continues to be my honor.
 
See you in the trenches.
B

• House passes ‘assault weapons’ ban. The House narrowly approved a bill outlawing the sale of “assault weapons” on Friday, the first time in almost 30 years that lawmakers have passed a measure to reinstate the expired federal ban.
• St. Paul Downtown Alliance Speaker Series: Ramsey County Attorney John Choi: public safety trends and the state of the judicial system in Ramsey County. Tuesday, Aug 16, 2-3:30pm. Register here.​

• This week’s big news - the Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion released a 28-page report titled “Minnesota’s Moment: A Roadmap for Economic Expansion,” offering long-term steps to continue improving Minnesota’s economy. Governor Walz launched the fifteen-member Council of business, labor, and community leaders in September of 2021 to help advise Minnesota on the systemic change needed in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that will achieve a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Minnesota economy. See the Council’s recommendations here.  
• From the US Chamber’s Small Business Index, Q2, 2022: Inflation is dominant concern for small businesses across country. Supply chain issues come in second.
• On a day when recession is debated across U.S., Minnesota’s economy also sends mixed signals. Minnesota’s second quarter growth won’t be known until September. Business execs and analysts see a state “in a period of flux.”
• Fed hikes interest rates by 0.75% for second consecutive time to fight inflation.

​Federal

• The CHIPS Act: The House has passed bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips that power the nation's smartphones, cars, computers, medical equipment, and weapons systems. The legislation already passed the Senate earlier this week by a vote of 64-33 and now heads to President Biden to sign into law. The CHIPS Act would provide $54 billion in grants for semiconductor manufacturing and research, tens of billions to support regional technology hubs and a tax credit covering 25% of investments in semiconductor manufacturing through 2026. 
• Veterans health care: The Senate is set to try again today, Monday, to pass legislation to expand health care coverage for veterans exposed to toxins and burn pits following a Republican filibuster last week. 

 
Regional

• St. Paul City Council proposes exempting new construction, affordable units from rent control ordinance. More tenant protections also proposed.
• St. Paul campaign for universal preschool abandons push for fall ballot measure. Organizers say they hope to put a more detailed proposal before voters in 2023.

 
Election season is ramping up. Be sure to reference our East Metro Voter Guide to learn more about your candidates!
 
Subscribe to our Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

• Regional Economic Conditions Webinar: Federal Reserve.  Tues, Aug 16, 9:00 – 9:30am. Register here!
• Check out your Chamber’s calendar of upcoming events as well, which include:
  • 2022 VIP Vikings Training Camp Experience: August 3, noon – 5:30pm, at MN Vikings TCO Performance Center!
  • Chamber Connect at the Minnesota Lynx! Friday, Aug 12, 4:00 – 9:00pm. Register here!
  • Our next Equity Leadership Series - Building an Inclusive, Effective Workplace: Wednesday, August 17, 7:30 – 9:30am. Register here!

• Majority of US workers changing jobs are seeing real wage gains. Roughly 1 in 5 workers say they are very or somewhat likely to look for a new job in the next 6 months, but only about 1/3 of these workers think it would be easy to find one. 

• Goff Public, in its ongoing effort to support organizations working to achieve racial equity within our community, is seeking Minnesota-based nonprofits and advocacy organizations who could use their help amplifying and supporting their efforts. More information can be found on their website. Organizations can fill out a brief online form by August 31 to let them know what kind of help they need.
• Looking for an update on the GroundBreak Coalition? Here is link to July 19th community briefing.
• 3M, Target, UnitedHealth among top employers on disability-equality scorecard. These and others which scored 100% on the index are: Best Buy, Cargill, Deluxe Corp, Ecolab, Mayo Clinic, Medronic, and U.S. Bancorp. Click here to see the full index. ​

• Washington County: The Washington County Board approved $1.65 million to build a new boat ramp at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. The project will be paid in part with American Rescue Plan Act funds, 
• Infrastructure Law Rollout: Mitch Landrieu, President Biden’s point person overseeing the rollout of the new federal infrastructure bill, told Route Fifty that there would be robust support for state and local officials trying to use some of the $1.2 trillion for public works. 5,000 projects across the country are underway, and the White House is meeting regularly with state infrastructure coordinators.  
• Permits: multifamily up, single-family permits down in July. Apartment construction stayed hot in July, but single-family homebuilding cooled significantly as metro area cities permitted fewer than 400 such units during the month — the slowest July for that product type in more than a decade.