See who crashed the party

Celebrating 120 Years of Service

Weekly Update

May 15, 2023

Sponsored in-part by:

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It is going to be a busy week at the Capitol as legislators committed to ending the session on Friday - ahead of the constitutional deadline of May 22. The includes passing a biennium budget. With a historic $17.5 billion surplus, the legislature is poised to pass a budget of $72 billion - a 38% increase.

Even with $17.5 billion surplus, Minnesotans are looking at tax increases of nearly $10 billion over next 4 years to fund this unsustainable spending.

These higher taxes and new mandates will make it even harder for businesses to start, grow and invest in Minnesota. Stay tuned for more updates on issues significanly impacting businesses.

PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill (HF2) is being sent to each chamber from the conference committee. There were few changes from the original bill. Those include:

maximum length of paid benefits is 20 weeks annually (from 24 weeks)
program start date delayed six months to January 1, 2026 (from 7/1/25)
the original bill established a small business relief fund of $10 million in 2026/2027 to subsidize initial costs to small businesses. That number shriveled to $2.5 million.
allowing a person to be fired for misrepresenting facts on a paid leave application
permitting insurance carriers to offer paid family and medical leave insurance products that could be purchased by business to opt out of the state paid leave plan
prohibiting any other supplemental benefit payment combined with any paid leave benefit from exceeding the regular wage or salary of the person applying for paid leave

The bill is expected to be sent to the Governor and signed into law this week.

MEETINGS and EVENTS

JOIN US THIS WEEK!

Wednesday, May 17th - 8:00am @ Chamber

Are you a business owner or decision maker at your company?

If so, you are invited to join our Business Management Roundtable group. We meet monthly to discuss issues in your business. Participants share ideas and offer feedback on topics the group addresses.

This is an amazing opportunity to connect in a small group setting with successful business leaders across several sectors.

All members are invited. Please contact Colleen Roth with any questions.

The River Heights Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are a prestigious group whose primary role is to welcome new member businesses, owners, and managers into membership. The RHCC Ambassadors also connect other chamber members by introducing them to the benefits and services of membership. Ambassadors serve as a conduit for members to engage in the Chamber.

We are holding an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 23rd at 9:00am This will he a hybrid meeting. Join us in person at the Chamber office or via Zoom. If you are interested in learning more or want to become an Ambassador, please contact Colleen@riverheights.com. Can't make it on the 23rd? No problem- connect with us at your convenience to learn more.

Zoom Link

Our Young Professionals Group in collaboration with the St. Paul, Woodbury, White Bear Lake and Dakota County Regional Chambers of Commerce is partnering with the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Group for a speed networking event. Register on our partner site by clicking on the photo.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

*Join us for our major fundraising event of the year*

Registration is now open for our premier event of the year. Join us June 5th at Southview Country Club for the River Heights Chamber Golf Classic sponsored by Waterous Company. This scramble is all about FUN.!

We will celebrate the Chamber's 12oth Anniversary by Rolling Through the Decades with theme course contests and hole sponsorships. There will be prizes for best dressed team - pick your favorite decade: roaring 20s, gas 40s, fab 50s, groovy 60s, hip 70s, rad 80s, fresh 90s, baller 2000s or fire 2010s.

Grab your colleagues, friends and clients- all are welcome! Information is available at the link below.

INFO + REGISTRATION

Sponsored by:

Promote Your Business + Support the Chamber

Auction Items Needed: The Golf Classic Auction Committee is actively seeking auction donations. Any gift is appreciated and your business will be recognized as an auction donor. Some examples of donations include:

• Tickets to sporting events

• Experience packages- concerts, museums, theatre, fishing excursion, cooking classes, brewery/winery tours

• Weekend Get Away package – hotel, cabin certificate

• Restaurant Gift Cards • Wine/Beer/Alcohol

• Themed baskets

• Spa packages- salons, massages, pampering gifts

• Anything golf related

• Car detailing and accessories

• Family attraction passes

• Gift Cards

• Goods/Products from your business

We make this easy to donate!

1- Click on the link below to complete the auction donation form. https://riverheights.com/auction-donation/

2- A Chamber staff member or volunteer will follow up to coordinate pick up of your generous donation.

Thank you for considering our request!

OUR 120th ANNIVERSARY

featured on Town Square TV's Insight 7

Insight 7 - River Heights Chamber of Commerce 120th Annual Meeting

Chamber Member Updates

YIKES!

Just days after celebrating their 60th Anniversary, Fury Motors had a guest 'crash' the party.

No one was seriously injured in the crash, but Fury has a great caption contest going. You can follow them on Facebook @Fury.Motors

City and County Updates

You're Invited!

The City of Inver Grove Heights EDA has retained Lee Krueger and Associates to lead business recruitment efforts in IGH- specifically retail, restaurant and service industries.

Join Mr. Krueger and members of the IGH EDA/City Council for a listening session on May 17th at 4:00pm at Jersey's.