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What do you foresee as a key issue that will impact the Rochester area business community in the 2023 legislative session? One of the highest priorities of the legislature will be creating a program to provide paid family and medical leave for all employees, so workers who need time off to care for a newborn, deal with a family illness, or recover from their own illness, can do so without losing their jobs or all their income. This will help smaller businesses compete for employees by providing an important benefit that larger employers already offer, but without all the administrative burden. I believe this will also greatly improve the health and well-being of Minnesota families, which benefits everyone in our state. What are your expectations for the 2023 legislative session? Are there trends the business community should be aware of? This will be an extremely fast-paced and productive legislative session. The large budget surplus will allow the legislature and governor to address many immediate needs while also putting Minnesotans in a better position for the future. Even with a DFL “trifecta,” there are still many competing interests within the legislature and within our state, so hard work and compromise will be required from everyone involved in the legislative process. I believe that the Rochester area is well positioned for a successful session. Our strong local delegation will work hard to get funding for local capital investment priorities and other needs, including tax policies that help local governments provide services while reducing pressure on property taxes.
Rep. Tina Liebling DISTRICT 24B
DISCLAIMER: At the time of publication, a response was not available from Rep. Duane Quam (District 24A).
| Advantage Magazine 6
January 2023
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