2008 Legislative Platform
Entrepreneurship Funding:
MAPCED
supports the concept of developing a program for entrepreneurship
and recommends that the state support the program by providing $6
million of additional funding to the Small Business Development
Centers across the state to expand their functions and not to
duplicate efforts.
Sales Tax Exemptions:
Many smaller manufacturing businesses do not take advantage of the
Sales Tax exemption on equipment because the taxes are reimbursed.
MAPCED supports that this sales tax exemption be provided at the
time of purchase.
Alternative Energy Assistance:
Minnesota is a leader in the production of alternative fuels
including E85 and Bio-Diesel. MAPCED supports alternative energy
options and supports
incentives such as producer
payments and credits for technology to aid these new industries as
the State did with Ethanol and Bio-Diesel.
Transportation:
MAPCED
supports passage of a comprehensive long-term transportation-funding
package that addresses the needs of the state. Revenue increases in
such a package could be generated from these sources: Gas tax,
license tab fees, motor vehicle leased vehicle sales tax, indexing,
sales taxes, wheelage taxes, & bonding.
Bio Science Technologies:
MAPCED
supports substantial increased investments in Bio Science
Technologies.
Labor Force Study:
MAPCED
supports funding of $1.5 million for the Department of Employment
and Economic Development (DEED) to conduct a labor force study.
Rural Healthcare Workforce:
MAPCED
supports a state initiative to provide the necessary healthcare
workforce that will sustain the growing needs of the aging
population in rural Minnesota.
Department of Employment and Economic Development Programs:
MAPCED supports the continuation and refunding of the following
programs provided by DEED:
$25 million to be
allocated to the
Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program.
These grant funds will be used to construct water, sewer, and street
improvements to accommodate opportunities for business expansions
and new business park developments in Greater Minnesota.
$25 million to the
Redevelopment Fund
from the general fund. These grant funds will be used to assist
communities with redeveloping substandard and/or blighted areas.
Allocation of $50
million to the
Minnesota Investment Fund
for business loans.
These loans would assist expanding companies with equipment
purchases, building construction and infrastructure improvements.
Appropriation of $1
million to support the marketing efforts of the
Positively Minnesota Marketing Program.
Modification of the
Business Subsidy Law.
This law will raise all monetary thresholds of the law from its
current levels to $250,000. MAPCED supports public disclosure of
all businesses assistance activities, but sees a need to
streamlining the reporting requirements and removing unneeded
regulatory burdens of the law
