2025 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
Feature
Rep. Andy Smith
DISTRICT 25B
What do you foresee as the most pressing issue impacting the Rochester area business community that can be addressed in the 2025 legislative session? I think consumer confidence is the most pressing issue for Rochester businesses. If consumers don’t feel that they are secure in their household budgets, they won’t frequent the amazing local businesses we have in our great city. This is why I think it is critical to continue work begun this last legislative cycle to bring down the cost of childcare, healthcare, and housing for working class Minnesotans. This includes legislation to help attract a skilled workforce to Minnesota in needed areas such as educators, nurses, and social workers, by expanding our programs to help with student debt relief and, when appropriate, making it easier for out-of-state workers to relocate to Minnesota through
interstate compacts, like the Social Worker Interstate Compact that I was the lead-author for last session. The legislature should look at the regulatory framework for businesses and repeal oppressive regulations that limit growth, while also safeguarding worker protections, benefits, and pay. What are your expectations for the 2025 legislative session? Are there any proposed bills or potential legislation that the business community should be aware of? The 2025 legislative session will be a bumpy one. The Minnesota House of Representatives is evenly split for the first time since 1979 and the Senate has only a one seat majority, not to mention a federal government that looks to be poised on the brink of chaos. The main goal is to pass a bipartisan state budget and avoid a government shutdown which would harm not only our economy generally, but also those suffering most from high inflation. I believe this legislative session will bring very little new legislation and spending. I’m also hopeful to pass a large Bonding Bill in 2025 to strengthen our local economies and transportation networks, and keep construction and contracting jobs flowing in Greater Minnesota. What are your top priorities for the 2025 legislative session? My top priority is to fight for my constituents here in Rochester and the surrounding cities. If we pass a large bonding bill, which I hope we do, Rochester should receive historic funding to prepare the city for the next decade of expansive growth. I’m also hopeful for Local Government Aid reform that gives Rochester more funding per capita, with the goal of lowering property taxes for residents of Olmsted County. I am also working with other legislators to hopefully create a local Housing Authority for Rochester, as we are the only city of the first class in Minnesota that does not have its own housing authority.
Bringing the Voice of Business to St. Paul
The Day at the Capitol brings together business and community leaders to share the voice of business in the Rochester region. Featuring legislators from both the Rochester delegation and throughout the state, Chamber members can share the issues impacting their business directly with those making the decisions in St. Paul. Stay tuned for more details!
12 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — DECEMBER 2024
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