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	For the second time in 15 months, Gov. Mark Dayton was the Minnesota Business Partnership's guest at our monthly Board of Director's meeting. We always appreciate the governor taking time to speak with MBP members, and his willingness to frankly discuss the issues where we agree - improving government operations, maintaining a premier workforce, early education initiatives - and where we do not - tax reform policy and ending LIFO (last in, first out). Thank you, Gov. Dayton.
	Eric Mahmoud’s record as executive director of Harvest Prep and Best Academy in North Minneapolis is proof that academic achievement has nothing to do with skin color, poverty or ZIP codes. Mahmoud’s schools – which he and his wife started in their home in 1985 and which now serve 1,000 kids – gained attention last year when their students out-performed students in the Edina and Wayzata school districts. Mahmoud’s strategy – addressing five key education gaps in preparation, time, belief, teaching and leadership – has produced the only school in North Minneapolis to meet its adequate yearly progress goal.
	"If you believe in innovation there is no reason to assume that it does not work in any business." People care about what George Buckley has to say because, in large part, since 2005 he as presided over 3M's return to manufacturing and innovation excellence. But people also care about what Mr. Buckley has to say because he is thoughtful, provocative and doesn't shy away fom sharing his opinons. Buckley's presentation at the January Board of Director's meeting - detailing 3M's successes over the past six years as well as what he sees ahead for the global economy - was equal parts of all three.
	"If you want to talk about jobs in this state, you have to talk about the role that is played by the University of Minnesota." According to President Kaler, the U of M has to be open to and partner with business. As the state's 5th largest employer, the magnet for thousands of jobs and the key driver to innovation in the state, Kaler said that the U of M must be a priority for citizens and policy makers. We wish Dr. Kaler the best and look forward to him being a member of Business Partnership for many years to come.
	The Partnership is proud to support mymn, a nonpartisan effort to unite and engage Minnesotans who care about keeping our state a special place to live and work. Join the conversation at http://www.mymn.org/.

		Is education measuring up? “You can’t improve what you don’t measure” is a simple truth that is proved over and over again in both the public and private sectors. The converse is also true: things that don’t get measured often don’t improve – particularly when there are no consequences. Which is why this week’s decision by officials in Minnesota’s Department of Education to formally ask the Obama administration for a waiver from provisions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is so disappointing.	August 23, 2011 Minneapolis Star Tribune

		House/Senate K-12 reform is a generation in the making Comments from MBP Executive Director Charlie Weaver following passage by the House Education Finance Committee of HF 934, the Omnibus K-12 Education bill, and yesterday’s introduction of the Senate’s Omnibus K-12 Education bill.	March 22, 2011

		Pay-freeze plan illustrates the ill effects of a system gone awry A weak man agonizes over making a necessary decision; a strong man does what needs to be done and then agonizes over the consequences. My legislation, Senate File 56, which includes a two-year freeze on all school district employee wages (including teachers), is a tough but necessary measure, given the state's fiscal situation. Since the bill passed the Senate, I've had plenty of time to think about the consequences.	March 11, 2011 St. Paul Pioneer Press

		Badgers vs. Gophers Wisconsin and Minnesota are often lumped together as similar states, but this year they are showing how elections matter. In November the Badger State elected a GOP legislature and Republican Scott Walker, who is trying to cut spending and taxes, while Minnesota voters narrowly chose liberal Democrat Mark Dayton, who is doing the opposite.	March 10, 2011 Wall Street Journal