PUBLIC POLICY
2008 Legislative Wrap Up:
MRCC Accomplishes #1 Priority
In December of 2007, the Minneapolis dedicating the new revenue to conservation Mall of America. The Mall of America was
Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors ap- and cultural programs. Under the state before the Legislature seeking money for
proved the policy positions and advocacy constitution, a majority of those voting on an expansion. While there is no direct state
agenda for the 2008 legislative session. Election Day (Nov. 4, 2008) must vote yes aid for the project, by reconfiguring and
It was decided that transportation fund- on the measure in order for it to take effect. expanding the Tax Increment Financing
ing would be the Chamber’s top priority district in which the mall is located, the
this year, with advocacy efforts supporting
UPA Funding. Last August, Minnesota was
net effect is a three-year extension offering
substantial increases in resources for our
awarded $133.3 million through the U.S.
a $21 million subsidy. In addition, the bill
region’s multimodal transportation system.
Department of Transportation’s Urban
allows for the City of Bloomington or the
After significant lobbying efforts by the
Partnership Agreement program for strate-
state to back any revenue bonds that could
Chamber and business community, as
gies to reduce traffic congestion in the Twin
be needed for a proposed parking facility,
well as other transportation advocates, the
Cities. Money from the UPA will be used
upon meeting certain criteria, including
outcomes of this legislative session resulted
to improve traffic flow on I-35W between
generating state and local tax revenue of
in a $6.6 billion transportation finance
downtown Minneapolis and the southern
more than $50 million annually.
package (over 10 years) and a $70 million
suburbs. To secure the federal grant, state
appropriation for the Central Corridor.
lawmakers passed a bill that provided a 4 A.M. Bill. As part of this year’s omnibus
Therefore, the Chamber accomplished its
local match of $55.2 million. liquor law, any licensing organization fully
top priority when the Legislature adjourned
or partially within the seven-county Twin
Health Care Reform. Part of the overall
sine die on May 19th. There are several
Cities metropolitan area can issue special
budget compromise, state lawmakers
other notable items that the Legislature
permits allowing establishments to serve
passed a health care reform package that
acted on during the session.⁺
alcohol until 4 a.m. from Aug. 31 to Sept.
is the first steps in making major reforms to
5, to accommodate those attending the
Balanced Budget. After late night negotia-
the system. This year’s reform bill, in part,
Republican National Convention.
tions, Legislative Leadership and the Gov-
provides greater access to health care cost
ernor reached a compromise that allowed
and quality information. Good Faith Law. Effective Aug. 1, 2008, the
them to meet the constitutional require-
new law states that a policyholder can sue
K-12 Funding. State lawmakers passed a
ment of balancing the current biennium.
their insurance company for not settling
$51 per pupil increase in K-12 education
However, projections already show $1
a claim in “good faith,” meaning they can
spending, resulting in a 1 percent increase.
billion deficit for the 2010-11 biennium.
prove that the insurance company did
Over the interim, lawmakers will continue
not have a reasonable basis for denying
Legacy Amendment. Voters will be asked in
to discuss a bigger education finance
a claim. The insurance company must
November whether they support raising the
reform proposal that addresses the state’s
also have known that it had no reasonable
state’s sales tax from 6.5 percent to 6.875
funding formula.
claim, or acted with “reckless disregard”
percent (three-eighths of 1 percent) and for the lack of reason.
Interesting Statistics:
Number of House and Senate files introduced during 2008 session ............................................................3,236
Number of bills sent to the Governor in 2008 ............................................................................................... 220
Number of bills signed into law .................................................................................................................... 190
Number of full or line item vetoes .................................................................................................................. 34
Number of House DFL members who will not seek re-election .........................................................................4
Number of House Republican members who will not seek re-election ..............................................................8
Number of DFL seats gained to make veto proof majority ................................................................................5
Date of the general election ...................................................................................................November 4, 2008
Date Legislature convenes ..........................................................................................................January 6, 2009
Content was provided, in whole or in part, by the Minnesota State Legislature and the State of Minnesota.
10 MRCC BusinessBriefing — July/August 2008
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