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Capitol Update

ESST & PMFL: Progress was made on bipartisan fixes to SST and PFML in the Senate. The provisions of SF 2300, bipartisan legislation containing a number of the MN Chamber’s SST toplines, were offered as an amendment to the Department of Labor and Industry Policy bill and passed with bipartisan support in the Senate Human Services Committee. The MN Chamber’s toplines on PFML have been introduced as SF 3141.

The House Workforce and Labor Committee continues to discuss the Paid Family Leave program and a number of the toplines recommended by the MN Chamber are under consideration.

MN Chamber PFML recommendations: program launch delay; program scoping modifications and program integrity (e.g. total number of weeks; weekly benefit formula; definition of "family"; reduced premium cap etc. – all items the business community advocated for in 2023 and 2024); private plan viability and functionality issues (e.g. benefit equivalency standard); seasonal employee definition fix and to cover all industries; fixing intermittent leave issues; and possible exemptions.
MN Chamber ESST recommendations: repeal the “more generous PTO” change; adjusting notice and documentation provisions and addressing SST misuse issues (employer workability concerns); frontloading fix; and possible exemptions.

HOUSING: There have been a number of bills to subsidize housing, but regulatory reform bills designed to lower the cost of housing have stalled.

PMFL Information Sessions

To help businesses prepare for the new program, Paid Leave staff are partnering with local chambers of commerce for a series of in-person employer engagement sessions. At these sessions, they will provide an overview of the program, share recent updates, answer your questions, and help you get ready to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave. Light refreshments will be served.

The Lakeville Chamber team will be at the Eagan and Northfield sessions. There will also be webinars held each month. Watch here for registration links. The first virtual session is April 10.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Lost Spur Golf Club and Event Center

2750 Sibley Memorial Hwy - Eagan

Chamber Co-hosts: Apple Valley, Dakota County, Lakeville, Burnsville, Hastings, River Heights, Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Weitz Center for Creativity

Larson Family Meeting Room | 320 3rd St. E. - Northfield

Chamber Co-hosts: Elko New Market, Hastings, Lakeville, Lonsdale, Northfield, Red Wing, New Prague, Faribault.

Still 20 donors short!

We are less than a week out and 20 donors short of our 100 donor goal for our mini-citywide blood drive. Click HERE to register to donate.

April 11 - 8am, Zoom

Join our monthly Access & Issues meeting on April 11 to hear from Zartico. Visit Lakeville partners with Zartico to gather data about our visitors, where money is spent in town, what points of interest people visit here in town, and lots more. In addition to that information, we will get an around the horn update from our local and elected leaders in the meeting. Access & Issues is open to all members and is the 2^nd Friday of each month at 8am, via Zoom. If you would like to join, email me for the meeting link.

April 22

If you are hiring teens, sign up for our 3^rd annual Lakeville Highs Schools Job Fairs. These are back-to-back at both schools, during the school day. It is free to have a table. We suggest bringing some fun swag! Click the image above to reserve your table.

April 24

We still have 100 single tickets available. 100% of single ticket sales go into our scholarship bucket – which means 100 x $35 = $3500 more we would have to give away if we sell out! Click HERE to purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

ISD 194 – TWO THINGS

Lakeville Area Schools offers parents and community members opportunities to serve on advisory councils. Learn about the various advisory councils, and application process, HERE.

The application process will be open April 7-25, 2025.

American Indian Parent Advisory Council
Community Education Advisory Council
Early Childhood Family Education Advisory Council
Finance Advisory Council

Gifted Advisory Council
Multi-District Collaborative Council
Special Education Advisory Council
Teaching and Learning Advisory Council
Wellness Policy Advisory Council

Starting in April 2025, Lakeville Area Schools (ISD194) is launching 194PRIDE, a brand-new monthly community eNewsletter to keep you updated on all things happening in the school district. 194PRIDE will be distributed to email inboxes the first Friday of each month.

194PRIDE is geared toward the entire Lakeville Area and surrounding communities, featuring school board updates, important district announcements, student and staff achievements, community connections, and MORE. Sign up today to receive 194PRIDE in your email inbox.

Last week’s front page

Get your LOCAL news, high school sports, community calendar, special interest stories, and more by subscribing today. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

New Members

Help us welcome our newest members and their commitment to our community last month!

Meet your Ambassadors:

Sarah Ruhland

Our Chamber Ambassadors give back so much of their time and talent to the Chamber and our business community. They attend events, write thank you notes, deliver membership and anniversary plaques, and more. Throughout the year we will highlight them. Make sure and say HI when you see them around!

Name:

Sarah Ruhland

Title:

Real Estate Professional/Director of Team Operations

Company:

The Property Geeks Team, Real Broker, LLC

Your Specialty:

All things real estate! Residential, investment, vacation rentals, referrals out of state and more!

Reason you like doing business in Lakeville:

I grew up in a small town, so I love that Lakeville has so many amenities, businesses and people to get to know – but also still has that small town feel and values.

Years as a Chamber Member: 6

Years as an

Ambassador: 2

Favorite thing about being a Lakeville Chamber member: I LOVE learning about the new businesses coming to town and sharing it with everyone. It is fun and exciting to watch from the start of an idea to see continued success!

Best advice you would

give to a new Chamber Member: Get involved!! There are so many amazing people to meet and businesses to learn about. I have made some wonderful friends along the way too!

Your must-attend Chamber event, and why:

Oooh – that’s a tough one! I haven’t gotten to attend the Gala yet, but I am guessing that would probably be my favorite once I go!

Favorite go-to meal at one of our restaurants:

Kenzie Tacos at Lakeville Brewing Company

Favorite thing to do for fun around town: I live near Antlers Park and LOVE the new remodel of the park and the addition of LBC on the Lake! It is a fun walk with the dog or a great place to meet friends and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Member News

Visit Lakeville Tourism Tidbit

CALLING ALL HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES

The Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking applications for your STAR team members for a chance to be recognized as one of our 2025 HOSPITALITY STARS! If you are a hospitality business, please consider filling out an application at https://forms.gle/bT9xPA5V2i4fawhA9

Recipients of the awards will receive two complimentary tickets to the event, a beautiful crystal award, and $100 VISA gift card. Your business will receive recognition!

Watch last years award winners here: