This proposal currently in front of the Legislature would create a new, mandatory 24 week paid leave program for all MN employers and employees. The program would begin taking effect in 2025, with implementation starting in 2023.

• Every MN employer regardless of size is mandated to participate. “Covered Employment” can include extraterritorial employment outside of MN so long as some work is performed in MN and the employer is a MN employer.· Two main types of leave are required to be available. Leave may be taken in increments: 1) Paid medical leave – up to 12 weeks paid leave for a serious health condition or pregnancy; 2) Paid family leave – up to 12 weeks paid leave to care for a newborn, adopted or foster child; safety leave; or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition.
• The leave can be stacked together for a total of 24 weeks. An additional up to 12 weeks is available for a military exigency. This is in addition to existing unpaid federal Family and Medical Leave Act requirements in some instances.
• Employers will be charged a .7% payroll tax to fund the program. There is no cap on the tax, meaning if program costs exceed the amount collected, the state will raise the tax. Employers may “charge back” employees for up to 50% of the tax, but must do so under proportion, contract, or wage requirements.
• Employees will be paid a partial wage replacement based on their income on a progressive scale. For lower income workers, the wage replacement rate will start at 90%.
• Employees have reinstatement rights – meaning their jobs must be held for them upon their return from leave.
• Employers may opt out of the mandate if they provide a leave program at least as generous as the state required mandate. Employers must submit their plans to the state for approval for opting out. Employers who opt out will be assessed a fee.
• Employees are eligible 90 days after hire.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS:
Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R) District 9
(218) 205-5062 | sen.jordan.rasmusson@senate.mn
Senator Torrey Westrom (R) District 12
(651) 296-3826 | sen.torrey.westrom@senate.mn
Representative Mary Franson (R) District 12B
(651) 296-3201 | rep.mary.franson@house.mn
Representative Tom Murphy (R) District 9B
(218) 640-1707 | rep.tom.murphy@house.mn

Mark Thompson is the Business Manager for Blizzard Hockey out of Alexandria, MN. Alexandria Blizzard Hockey is a junior hockey league for ages 16-20 who are trying to further their career in hockey. The players come from all over the country and around the globe to live here 7 months out of the year and stay will families called Billet Families. Alexandria Blizzard Hockey plays out of the Runestone Community Center for home games. 

​This year’s Business Benchmarks (which can be accessed online at mnchamber.com/2023-business-benchmarks-report) goes beyond the analysis of where Minnesota stands in economic categories. This year, we compare Minnesota to other states that are outpacing us in these categories. What are the trends that sets them apart? What intentional steps are they taking to help their economies grow?

Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah have all seen economic improvements in several categories. They have similarities to Minnesota in the size of their economy, industry strengths, populations, and natural and cultural amenities. Each of them has a story to tell, in making their state more affordable, improving their workforce, and becoming more competitive overall.

We also examined neighboring states Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota (North Dakota’s recent history with the oil industry offers a less comparable analysis). Minnesota employers compete with the economic advantages enjoyed in these states every day. When considerations about growth or expansion are in play, businesses recognize Minnesota’s quality workforce, but may choose a neighboring state because they offer a quality workforce and are more affordable.

There is no silver bullet for economic development. The growth of any state’s economy depends on a complicated and diverse set of conditions, and it’s the cumulative impact that decides whether an economy succeeds or lags behind its competition.

But singular decisions from business leaders and policymakers can make a huge impact on whether Minnesota is an attractive and affordable place to live, work and grow a business. We are providing this deeper comparative analysis to help understand the formula that goes into it.

Make no mistake - Minnesota is an exceptional place to live and raise a family, and start and grow a business. But the data tell us that the state is not living up to its economic potential. Understanding our competitive strengths and weaknesses can determine what is needed to regain our competitive edge.

We urge business and policy leaders alike to read this report and support policies and private sector-led efforts to get Minnesota growing again.