Legislative Priorities - 2012 Regular Session
Regional Ballpark in Saint Paul
The Chamber supports the construction of a regional ballpark in downtown Saint Paul. We believe this will bring economic vitality to a growing business and entertainment district, and create a statewide amenity for community events and amateur baseball. The Chamber remains supportive of a $27 million legislative bonding request.
Click here to learn more about the project and how you can support it!
Government Redesign
The Chamber supports bold results oriented reform of the way government functions at local and state levels to operate and provide services in the most efficient and effective way possible and make the best use of limited taxpayer resources.
Click here to see the Chamber’s Shared Services Survey.
Transportation Projects and Initiatives
The Chamber supports transportation options that will help meet the needs of a vital East Metro business community. Efficient and reliable means of moving goods and services throughout our region are necessary to the growth and success of our region. Providing employees with diverse transportation options is also critical to the health of our economy. The Chamber supports the following transportation projects and initiatives:
•Central Corridor
•Union Depot
•Southwest LRT
•Gateway Corridor
•Robert Street Corridor
•Rush Line Corridor
•High Speed Rail
•Red Rock Corridor
•Lafayette Bridge
•I-694 (Rice Street and White Bear Avenue Interchanges)
•Stillwater Bridge
Creation of State New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) Program
The Chamber supports legislation that will create a statewide NMTC program. The program will provide tax credits to investors who make qualified investments in businesses that would like to develop or expand in low-income census areas.
Click here for more information.
E-Fairness
The Chamber supports legislation that would require out-of-state, online-only retailers to collect and remit Minnesota's sales tax if they have a Minnesota presence through paid affiliates. The goal is to restore fairness in the marketplace by allowing retail merchants to compete on a level playing field with online-only and remote sellers. E-commerce is an important selling channel for retailers and consumers, but the current sales tax system was designed before e-commerce existed and should be reformed to reflect current realities.
Click here to learn more.
SPACC Supported East Metro Bonding Projects
•Beacon Bluff Business Center
•Minnesota Children’s Museum Expansion
•Como Park Transportation Improvements
•TPT Renovations
•Great River Passage – Watergate Marina Planning
•694/Rice Street Interchange
•694/White Bear Ave
•Metropolitan State University Infrastructure Request
•Saint Paul College Infrastructure Request