TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

 
 
In Touch | Thursday, August 14, 2008

issues and updates: city · school · county · state · nation
 
BusLakeState Capitol (inside)Neighborhood sidewalkStorefront
 
Dear Kristin,
 
Following a recommendation from the TwinWest Government Affairs Committee, the Board of Directors voted to endorse Senator Norm Coleman in his U.S. Senate re-election bid this fall. Read more on the endorsement below.
 
TwinWest Endorses Senator Norm Coleman in the U.S. Senate Race
U.S. Capitol
On August 8, 2008, the TwinWest Board of Directors received and adopted a recommendation from the Government Affairs Committee to endorse Senator Norm Coleman in his re-election campaign for U.S. Senate.
 
This action was taken following the presentation of an information report by our U.S. Senate Endorsement Task Force.
 
The report collected information on U.S. Senate candidates Senator Norm Coleman and Al Franken within the context of:
- Electability;
- Positions on key business issues;
- Voting record on business issues;
- Leadership on key business issues; and
- Local business community support.
 
Key factors in endorsing Senator Coleman include:
 
1. It is TwinWest's belief that Senator Coleman is the strongest pro-business candidate in the U.S. Senate race.
 
2. Senator Coleman has proven his leadership on business issues consistently since being elected in 2002, as reflected by his 92 percent score in the U.S. Chamber's How They Voted scorecard for his votes on key issues.
 
3. As a former prosecutor with the state attorney general's office and St. Paul mayor's office, Senator Coleman has a history of supporting critical issues important to small business.
 
4. Coleman's key business issue interests are philosophically in line with TwinWest's.

TwinWest is able to endorse candidates for federal office based on a 2006 U.S. District Court ruling that settled a conflict between two laws - one that prohibits nonprofit corporations (chambers of commerce) from engaging in political activity and federal law, and another that allows trade associations to engage in such activities. In the past, only chamber-related federal political action committees could endorse federal candidates.
 
Your chamber is proud to join a long list of business organizations across Minnesota supporting Senator Norm Coleman.
 
Next Week: TwinWest to Host First Debate Among Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District Candidates
Waving flagsWith Congressman Jim Ramstad (R) retiring, voters in Minneapolis' western suburbs will elect a new member of Congress for the first time in 18 years.

The race is ranked by the Washington Post and National Journal as one of the top 20 House races in the country, and the TwinWest debate on August 21 will be the candidates' first time together answering questions on the minds of area voters. 
 
3rd Congressional District Debate
Thursday, August 21
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. - registration, meet the candidates and continental breakfast; 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. - debate
General Mills Headquarters
One General Mills Boulevard
Golden Valley, MN 55426
 
Featuring endorsed candidates:
David Dillon (IP)
Ashwin Madia (DFL)
Erik Paulsen (R)

Members of the public are encouraged to attend. The cost is $25 for chamber members ($200 for 10 tickets) and $35 for nonmembers ($300 for 10 tickets). All guests must register by August 18. Attendance is limited.
 
Register online now or call 763.450.2220.
 
E-mail Your Tax Reform Ideas to the Governor's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission
ComputerThe state of Minnesota is soliciting feedback from the public on how it can make its tax system more business-friendly. The Governor's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission will make recommendations on tax reform and is seeking comments from the business community via e-mail at taxreformfeedback@state.mn.us.
 
As Commission Chairman Mike Vekich said in a release, "Public input from the business and public policy community is vital to the panel's work."
 
The commission comprises 15 members from the business, public policy and academic communities, and meets twice a month.
 
Buyers Health Care Access Group Hosts Employer Leadership Summit
Employer and health care professionalsOn September 10, the Buyers Health Care Access Group is hosting Healthy Living Healthy Working: Employers Helping Employees to Better Health.

Employers, providers, health plan providers, government entities and community resource groups are invited to attend. This annual event focuses on creating healthy work environments as a means to ensure optimal performance on the job and at home.
 
Healthy Living Healthy Working:
Employers Helping Employees to Better Health

Wednesday, September 10, 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Windows on Minnesota
80 South 8th Street
50th Floor, IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN 55402
 
For more information on the event, contact Sue Jesseman at bhcag@bhcag.com or 952.896.5186, or view the full event brochure (PDF).
 
Hennepin County, City and School News 
Hennepin County
  • In late July, Hennepin County drew up a list of "dream projects" designed to stimulate the local economy. Projects included on the list have a three-month return on investment (starting when the money is invested) and a price tag of $1 million or less. The county's list contains a total of 30 projects ranging from refurbishing Fort Snelling ($800,000) to rehabbing foreclosed properties (up to $1 million) and enhancing the food stamp program. The projects will be presented to the U.S. House of Representatives as part of an economic stimulus package in September. Read the Sun Newspapers article.

City of Golden Valley

  • Golden Valley took a step in implementing its city vision with rezoning along I-394 on August 6. The rezoning impacts nearly 70 existing business parcels. The city says existing businesses will not be impacted, but several area business owners are concerned that the rezoning will complicate future expansion. Read the full Sun Newspapers article, which includes a quote from Larry Brauch of Liberty Diversified Industries (a TwinWest member business).
City of Plymouth
  • On Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m., the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit will take public comment on a proposal to increase Dial-A-Ride fares and eliminate Saturday service for the shared, curb-to-curb bus service. The proposed changes being considered offset the effect of rising gas prices. Eliminating the Saturday service would generate a program savings of more than $800 per Saturday, or $42,500 per year. Written comments are being taken through August 19 and can be directed to the city transit coordinator at transit@ci.plymouth.mn.us. The August 27 meeting is taking place at Plymouth City Hall.

Hopkins Public Schools

  • Hopkins North Junior High principal Pat Schmidt has been named one of three finalists in the National Principal of the Year awards conducted by the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals. Schmidt was honored as Minnesota's Middle-level Principal of the Year earlier in 2008. For more information on Schmidt and the Hopkins Public Schools, visit www.hopkins.k12.mn.us.

 
Upcoming events:
 
 
 
11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
ROI: Forge new business connections and enjoy an afternoon on the greens
 
Crystal/New Hope
Business Council
Wednesday, August 20
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Stay up to date on issues affecting your business and community
 
Overtime at Graham Jewelers (co-hosted by the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce)
Wednesday, August 20
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
ROI: See Graham Jewelers' new facility and network with TwinWest and Wayzata Chamber of Commerce members
7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
ROI: Participate in the first debate in this high-profile race
 
"Selling" the Industry
Tuesday, August 26
7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
ROI: Discover strategies to attract new business and qualified employees to the precision manufacturing sector 
 
 Business Showcase at
The Hearing Store
Wednesday, August 27
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ROI: Learn about new advancements The Hearing Stores has to offer and grow your network
 
Brooklyn Center
City Connection
Thursday, August 28
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
ROI: Meet neighboring businesspeople and talk with city leaders in a casual setting 
  

 
Quick links:
CITIES
 
Brooklyn Center
    Web site
 
Brooklyn Park
     Web site
 
Crystal    
    Web site
 
Golden Valley
    Web site
 
Hopkins
    Web site
 
New Hope
    Web site
 
Medicine Lake
    Web site
 
Minnetonka
    Web site
 
Plymouth
    Web site
 
St. Louis Park
    Web site
 
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
HENNEPIN COUNTY
 
www.co.hennepin.mn.us/ 
 
 
STATE LEGISLATURE 
 
 
 
 
TWINWEST LINKS
 
 
 
Chamber contact information:
 
10700 Old County Road 15
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
Phone: 763.450.2220
 
 
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