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State Representative Sandra Masin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3533
For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809
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SMALL BUSINESS CAUCUS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION IN 2010 SESSION
ST. PAUL, MN – Any effort to restore the state’s struggling economy must address the unique challenges facing Minnesota’s small business community. The health of small businesses, the jobs they create, and the quality of life they help maintain in every Minnesota community, are central to the future of the state and its economic recovery.
For that reason, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers recently created a new Small Business Caucus committed to making Minnesota a better place to do business. After several months of collaboration with small business leaders, trade and association groups, state agencies, as well as economic and policy experts, the Small Business Caucus plans to introduce a slate of bipartisan legislation focused on addressing the needs and concerns of small businesses in Minnesota.
“Any meaningful attempt at recovery has got to include ways to make our small business climate more competitive," said State Rep. Sandra Masin, who serves on the Jobs Task Force as well as the Small Business Caucus. “Our state’s economic future rests on the health of our small business community and their ability to adapt to changing market conditions. We should do whatever we can to make sure they are positioned for success.”
The Small Business Caucus learned in its conversations with small business owners that access to credit is a huge problem for start-ups and for on-going enterprises; both for operating capital and equipment. In response, the Small Business Caucus will support legislation to:
• Create an Angel Investor Tax Credit
• Expand the Research and Development Credit
• Evaluate delivery of state grant and loan resources to Minnesota’s small businesses to see if resources should be increased, redirected, or delivered differently
• Encourage the deposit of state funds into local and community banks in order to make more capital available for small businesses
The Small Business Caucus also learned that not all potential entrepreneurs and businesses are aware of existing resources available through the state or other private and non-profit initiatives. In response, members will support:
• A bill creating a one-stop portal to connect small businesses with existing resources through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Additionally, the Small Business Caucus learned that Minnesota has some competitive disadvantages in its economic development initiatives, marketing, and regulatory environment. Small businesses often view Minnesota’s business registration, permitting, and environmental regulatory processes as excessively time-consuming and costly. In response, the Small Business Caucus is supporting legislation to:
• Responsibly streamline Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) regulations
• Create a Fast-track small business registration process
• Create a study comparing the challenges of business start-up in Minnesota to neighboring states
State Representative Mike Obermueller, also a member of the Small Business Caucus and the Jobs Task Force said, “Any effort to restore Minnesota’s struggling economy must address the unique challenges that face small business owners. We heard again and again about the red tape that stands in the way of small business start-ups and expansions in our state. These common-sense steps will remove some of those barriers and begin paving the way for our state’s largest job creators to do what they do best – generate good jobs that keep our communities thriving.”
In addition to discussing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Minnesota with economic experts and state agencies, the Small Business Caucus has aggressively sought the input of small business owners themselves. Through the use of a small business survey, lawmakers successfully gathered the input of more than 1,100 Minnesota small business owners. Next week the Caucus will learn the results of the survey, and continue its efforts to actively address the challenges facing small business owners in Minnesota.
The Legislature reconvened on Thursday, February 4, 2010.
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News Items
- Rep. Sandra Masin Sworn-In as Legislative Session Begins - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 3:10PM)
- Representative Sandra Masin: Special Session Delivers Flood-Relief - (Posted: 2010-10-18 00:00:00)
- EAGAN TRIBUTE & MEMORIAL DEDICATION State Representative Sandra Masin invites area residents to unveiling ceremony - (Posted: 2010-10-06 00:00:00)
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