April 14, 2014
Legislature Passes Dramatic Minimum Wage Increase; Governor To Sign  

 

By the end of day Thursday, the Minnesota House passed a dramatic increase in minimum wage on a 71-60 vote.  The day before the Senate passed the same increase 65-61.  And to the chagrin of the business community, the Governor announced he will sign the increase today, Monday, April 14.

 

Your Chamber lobbied in opposition to an increase in the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour with future increases tied to inflation.  We remain concerned about the increase's impact on prices, hours, jobs, and communities. 

 

Special thanks to our members that contacted their elected officials to share personal stories on the economic impact of the increased wage.  Your message was received, however the concerns simply did not outweigh the popular nature of a wage increase.  Additionally, we'd like to thank and recognize Representative Anna Wills, Representative Pat Garofalo, and Senator Dave Thompson for voting in opposition of the increase.    

 

Details of the increase include:   

 Large employer $9.50/hour - This rate will be the phased-in by 2016 for businesses with over $500,000 in revenue.  Phases: $8.00 August 2014, $8.50 August 2015, $9.50 August 2016.

  • Small employer $7.75/hour - Businesses under $500,000 in revenue will have a $7.75/hour minimum wage, phased in by 2016.  Phases: $6.50 August 2014, $7.25 August 2015, $7.75 August 2016.
  • Training, Youth, Resort Wage $7.75/hour -  This phased in $7.75 rate will apply to large businesses (over $500,000) in the form of: 1) training wage for the first 90 days for 18 and 19 year-olds; 2) youth wage for 16 and 17 year-olds; and 3) resort workers on travel exchange programs that receive free lodging or food.
  • Future Increases Tied To Inflation - Beginning 2018 automatic increases in all the minimum wage levels will be tied to inflation as calculated by the implicit price deflator. Increases will be capped at 2.5 percent per year and take effect in August.
  • Inflator Suspension - The Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry is allowed to suspend inflationary increases for one year if certain economic conditions are present.
  • Inflation Accelerator - Just as the Commissioner of Labor and Industry can suspend an inflationary increase, he/she can accelerate or add back a suspended increase in better economic times.
Committed to business... for YOU.

 

Women's Economic Security Act Passed House, Makes Last Stop In Senate

 

The Women's Economic Security Act--with concerning sick leave mandates removed--passed on the floor of the House Wednesday (HF 2536) and made its final stop in the Senate at the Finance Committee Thursday (SF 2050).  The Senate bill will be voted on by the full Senate after April 22.

 

Given slight differences in language, the bill will head to a Conference Committee to iron out the differences once being passed by the Senate.

plane3.jpg Metropolitan Airports Commission Faced with Anti-Business Growth Proposals
  
MAC Commissioners will be faced with several proposals on April 21 which may limit future business development at MSP.  Your Chamber is concerned as MSP is an economic asset to the region and we would like to see continued growth, attraction of more carriers, and more connections and direct flights.  MSP can only do this and continue to serve as a hub if it can offer a competitive environment in which carriers and other vendors can do business.  Contact your Commissioner to voice your concerns. 
 
These proposals will require that contractors who win new contracts with airlines and other MSP vendors hire back the outgoing contractor's employees; establish a minimum wage and/or living wage for anyone employed by or contracted with MAC, including airlines; require airlines to offer certain standard benefit and PTO packages; and establish Employee Quality Standards at MSP patterned after worker qualification and training requirements at the San Francisco airport. 
South Metro Young Professionals Collects Food

On Wednesday, March 26, our South Metro Young Professionals Group collected 859.23 pounds of food for our community service food drive! Join us for our next event on March 23rd as we hear mountain climber Jon Schmidt discuss "Five Killer Lessons from the Summit of Mt. Rainier". Register on the DCR website. Not a SMYPros member? Click here to email Member Services Manager Kate Bowen. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

 14

 

15

12:00 pm

Meet the Chamber

 

16

7:30 am

Business Owner's Roundtable 

 

8:00 am

Farmington Coffee Break 

17

18  

7:30 am

Legislative Breakfast 

21 

 

22

8:00 am

WSP/MH Coffee Break

23

8:00am

ChamberNet Two 

 

8:00am

Fairview Clinics and Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting

 

Noon

ChamberNet 

24

7:30 am

Breakfast with Champions

25
28
29
30
1
2
56

8:00am

Rosemount Coffee Break

 

 

 

 

78

8:00am

Eagan Coffee Break


9



Fun Facts... 

 

Last week's results: 

 
On April 9, 1959, NASA announced the selection of America's first seven astronauts, titled
"Mercury 7". Which one of the people below was NOT one of them?

-Scott Carpenter
-Boris Pasternak
-Wally Schirra
-Deke Slayton
-Gus Grissom 

Answer: Boris Pasternak was not one of the Mercury 7, but was instead famous for rejecting a Nobel prize in 1958, one year before the Mercury 7 was assembled. 

Did you Know?

When the now-popular Easter candy "Peeps" were introduced in 1953, it took 27 hours to make just one. Now, they can be made in just 6 minutes. 

Local Focus:  Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

West Saint Paul City Council meets April 14 - see the agenda. 
Mendota Heights City Council meets April 15 - see the agenda.    
                     Rosemount Port Authority meets April 15 - see the agenda.
                     Rosemount City Council meets April 15 - see the agenda. 
                     Eagan City Council meets April 16 - see the agenda. 

To see how the new Ban the Box law and recent EEOC policy changes may affect your business, register to attend an informative training session on May 9 at the Dakota County Government Center. To register and find out more, click here. 
Welcome Kate Bowen

   Your Chamber is pleased to introduce Kate Bowen, your Chamber's new Member Services Manager.  Kate is a soon-to-be graduate of the University of St. Thomas and has previous chamber experience working for the Midway Chamber.  Kate's primary responsibilities will include member services and growth as well as leading our South Metro Young Professionals.  She begins part-time on April 8.  Please welcome Kate.  

 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 
 

 

Stauner Agency 

Farmers Insurance

750 S. Plaza Dr. Ste. 100

Mendota Heights, MN  55120

651.757.8768

Contact:  Chris Stauner

www.Farmersagent.com

Insurance

 

As your personal agent, I will keep you informed and aware of Farmers� Insurance products that may help protect what is important to you. It is my mission to help you develop the right plans for you and I strive to protect my clients' assets. Through dedication, knowledge and a tireless work ethic, I will be the agent who my customers want to send their friends and families to.

  

Thriveon

210 S. 20th Street

New Ulm, MN  56072

507.359.6451

Contact: Steve Laddusaw

 Www.thriveon.net

Managed IT Service Provider 

 

Thriveon, a local consulting and IT services provider was founded in 2002 by CEO Sam Bloedow in New Ulm, Minnesota. Thriveon has offices in New Ulm, Mankato, Edina and Grand Rapids Minnesota. Thriveon's vision is businesses without technology frustration.  Thriveon helps its clients grow through better managed technology. Thriveon designs, creates, and implements proven technology processes with their customer's unique business needs and goals in mind, so they're guaranteed to see a return on their technology investments and accomplish their business goals and initiatives. They partner with many types of small- to midsize businesses in the area, successfully eliminating IT issues that can cause expensive downtime. 

   


Member News
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!

 

 

Happy Birthday to Hilltop Chiropractic for twenty five years of business in the Eagan community.  Your Chamber's Ambassadors stopped by to celebrate. 

 

 

  Chamber member Mike Ferber received the 2013 "Puppy Raiser of the Year" award in recognition of his volunteer services for Can Do Canines. 

 

 

Congressman John Kline welcomes Dakota County businesses to participate in the 5th annual Career and Jobs Fair on Monday, May 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Eagan Community Center. Free space will be provided for employers to display information and talk with prospective employees. For table reservations, click here to email Sally Bryant. Deadline is April 21.

 

Dakota Electric Association invites their commercial and industrial members to register now to attend the spring meeting on Threats to Cybersecurity on April 30.  To learn more and register, click here. 

  

Insider Training, Inc. President/CEO Chris Dixon has been honored by the University of Minnesota as a 2014 Rising Alumni by the College of Education and Human Development. The CEHD Alumni Society is proud to recognize twenty-three rising alumni from across the college who have achieved early distinction in their careers, demonstrated emerging leadership, or shown exceptional volunteer service in their communities.  To read Chris's full profile click here.

 


Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102
Eagan, MN 55123
651.452.9872


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