10/12/2006
CONTACT: Mike Hickey, (651) 293-1283 or Mandy Minick, at (614) 221-4107
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The National Federation of Independent Business/Minnesota today announced that more than half of Minnesota's 201 state legislators have earned high marks for their consistent support of small business during the 2005-06 legislative sessions. A total of 45 lawmakers scored a perfect 100 percent, and 103 scored 70 percent or higher on key small-business votes used to compile NFIB/Minnesota's Voting Record.
"There's an old adage that says actions speak louder than words. Each legislative cycle, we give NFIB members the opportunity to see exactly how lawmakers have acted when it came time to vote on issues that impact the day-to-day operations of Minnesota's small businesses," said Mike Hickey, NFIB/Minnesota state director. "Our members will be pleased to see that more than half of the Minnesota legislators have scored 70 percent or higher for their consistent support of small-business issues."
The NFIB/Minnesota Voting Record is based on 12 total votes, although not all votes occurred in both the House and Senate.
"Clearly, the most important victory small business achieved during the 2005-06 session was the passage of one of the nation's strongest and most comprehensive eminent domain laws to protect private property rights. It was encouraging that the legislature responded so strongly to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London, a controversial eminent domain case. In that decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities have carte blanche authority to use eminent domain for virtually any public purpose, although the Court noted that states have the right to regulate the usage of this power," said Hickey. "We are proud that Minnesota is a national leader in private property rights protection and that business owners can now breathe a little easier knowing that their property is safe from seizure."
Other accomplishments included passage of the Small Employer Flexible Benefit Plans and Health Savings Accounts. Both of these measures will make it easier for small businesses to offer affordable health-insurance coverage.
