The Partnership is pleased with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Court viewed the case, correctly, as a freedom of speech issue. While the ruling applies to federal elections, it appears the decision will also impact state and local elections as well. Minnesota has among the most restrictive campaign finance laws in the nation. As a result, labor unions and others have typically outspent business organizations by a 10-to-1 margin. The Partnership will review the Court’s decision to determine its impact on Minnesota.

Partnership members, their employees, their foundations and their parent companies are responding to the tragedy in Haiti by providing an estimated $6.9 million in financial assistance, in-kind contributions and volunteer services. For an initial list of how MBP members are helping those in Haiti, click here.

In conjunction with the Minnesota’s Future Initiative, the Partnership submitted a letter of support, and coordinated additional support, for Minnesota’s Race to the Top application. The reforms promoted through Race to the Top are well aligned with the Minnesota’s Future Initiative and the Partnership’s long-held Principles for Education Reform, which will serve as the foundation for the MBP 2010 legislative agenda. More.

With President Obama and congressional leaders negotiating a final package, national health reform was the focus of the January MBP board meeting. Stephen Parente, a policy advisor to presidential candidate John McCain and U.S. Senate Republicans, was critical of both parties and the bills that emerged from the House and Senate. Addressing the impact of whatever comes – or doesn’t come – from Washington, D.C., will be high among the Partnership’s 2010 legislative priorities. More.

 
Senate Tax Chair Tom Bakk talks with Kathy Hahne (Faegre & Benson).

The 2010 legislative session hasn’t even begun and there’s already speculation about a special legislative session. At the January deputies’ meeting, Senate Tax Chair Tom Bakk said the Governor isn’t going to sign a tax increase and the Legislature is unlikely to agree on enough spending cuts to close the projected $1.2 billion deficit. The Partnership’s fiscal policy priorities focus on creating a tax structure that will make Minnesota more competitive and enacting reforms that will help restrain and prioritize spending and improve delivery of public services. More.

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/.