Dear neighbor,
As Minnesota’s economy continues to recover, we are seeing positive signs that indicate we are heading in the right direction.
Minnesota added 12,200 jobs in August, pushing total jobs in the state over the pre-recession peak that was reached in February 2008. Our unemployment rate continued its downward trend, falling to a seasonally adjusted 5.1 percent – well below the national unemployment rate of 7.3 percent. And recently Minnesota was ranked eighth in the “Forbes 2013 List of the Best States for Business” rankings, a 12 spot improvement from last year’s rankings and the largest improvement of any state.
These economic indicators are positive. We seem to be moving in the right direction, but we can still do even more to help small businesses and working families in St. Cloud and across the state.
A focus of the 2014 legislative session will be bonding bills to continue to jump-start our economy and aid our state with infrastructure and public works projects. Governor Dayton has also called for an “Unsession.” The goal of the “Unsession” is to make government better, faster, simpler and more efficient for people and businesses alike. We want to improve service, shorten wait times, and eliminate old and outdated rules.
So I’m asking you for your input as we work to put together an agenda for next year. How can we continue to grow good, quality jobs in Minnesota? What capital investments would you like to see next year? How can we improve public services? Please contact me anytime with your ideas, comments or concerns.
I’m confident that state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle can continue to work past partisan gridlock to make even more progress for our great state.
As always, please contact me anytime if I can be of assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Zach Dorholt