Public Policy Guide | Page 2

Public Policy Guide2016 A guide to the area’s political and legislative landscape and

overview of The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber’s public policy views and efforts.

On behalf of our more than 2,100 members and their 98,000 employees, The Chamber serves as the voice of business in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo metropolitan region. As the largest local chamber in both Minnesota and North Dakota, we are proud to represent our members in the public policy arena. In greater Minnesota, we are committed to protecting the funding mechanisms that allow border cities to remain competitive. We stand firm to mitigate policies that unfairly impact border cities and will advocate for expanded exemptions. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo community is

a strong and reliable economic engine for the state of North Dakota. We are proud to be the voice of our dynamic business community in Bismarck. We continue to advocate for sensible tax relief, a smart approach to the 21st century job market and permanent flood protection for our region. One of The Chamber’s top priorities is to advocate for responsible and successful strategies to respond to our workforce shortage in our region. We are fortunate to live in a thriving metropolitan area that offers a strong economy, evolving job market and exemplary educational institutions. It’s imperative to the continued success of our community that we shine a light on the impressive opportunities that are available for people who are looking for a great place to work, live and do business. I invite you to please join us in our advocacy efforts and thank you for your Chamber membership.

Message from the President

Craig Whitney, President/CEO, The Chamber

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The foundation for a successful business climate is built on sound public policies and an engaged private sector. As chair of The Chamber’s Public Affairs committee, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in the political education process with members of our committee and The Chamber’s Board of Directors. We’ve studied important issues and provided guidance for the membership on more ballot measures than ever before. I am proud of what’s been accomplished and continue to be amazed at how savvy the business leaders in our Chamber really are. It is by no accident that the economy in the Red River Valley continues to prosper. I’d like to acknowledge the leaders of our subcommittees and our special task forces who stand ready to lend their

expertise for the benefit of us all. As a business owner myself, I’ve learned the value of having a strong team and with depth of The Chamber membership, rest assured your interests are in good hands.

Tom Dawson Dawson Insurance – Business Leaders for Flood Protection Task ForceBrein Olmstead Rasmussen College – Workforce Development Marshal Albright Cass County Electric Cooperative – Environment & Natural Resources Rocky Schneider Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. – Regulatory, Tax and Economic Development Connie Nelson Fargo Public School District Number One – Metro Cooperation Pam Gulleson Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND – Health Care Kris Bakkegard KLJ – Planning, Transportation & Infrastructure

I look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead.

Message from the Chairman

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Jim Roers, Public Affairs Committee Chair, The Chamber

Page 1 | Public Policy Guide

Energy and Natural ResourcesRegulatory The Chamber supports certainty in energy markets and opposes burdensome, unnecessary regulations and mandates that increase costs for businesses and consumers. The Chamber supports responsible regulations driven by and in response to local conditions and needs.

Energy Infrastructure The Chamber supports the development of essential energy infrastructure including transmission lines, power generation facilities and pipelines to produce and transport local energy to market. Additionally, The Chamber encourages increasing refining capabilities to drive additional investment in local energy resources, strengthen the economy and increase the availability of a reliable supply of natural resources.

Energy Development Impact The Chamber encourages the allocation of appropriate resources to communities affected by energy development to ensure access to adequate water, power, housing, infrastructure and workforce needs.

Comprehensive Energy Policy The Chamber supports the efficient development of regional energy resources. Local access to a vast array of resources provides the link to comprehensive energy solutions and supports energy independence.

Education Stewardship The Chamber values our spectacular natural environment and encourages responsible stewardship of state water, state trust lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources.

Environmental Stewardship The Chamber values our spectacular natural environment and encourages responsible stewardship of state water, state trust lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources.

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Education,Training and Workforce DevelopmentEarly Education Expansion The Chamber supports public policies that increase the availability of affordable, quality, early childhood learning opportunities and career advancement opportunities of early childhood professionals to meet the burgeoning demand and critical importance of early childhood education.

Alignment of Education and Employment The Chamber supports the strategic development of a skilled workforce that aligns with regional employment opportunities and encourages increased communication between employers and educators. The Chamber supports programs that provide internships, mentorships and on-the-job training opportunities.

21st Century Workforce Skills The Chamber encourages a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) as well as the acquisition of resources necessary to support the STEM disciplines. Additionally, The Chamber encourages the modernization of education to incorporate new technologies and cutting-edge teaching methods.

Education Finances The Chamber supports the allocation of financial resources to support student success. Funding should leverage programs that increase retention and on-time graduation, attract and retain the most effective teachers and accurately reflect population growth. Regarding higher education, The Chamber supports increased programs that will increase students understanding of postsecondary education including costs, employment prospects and earning potential in their chosen fields.

Diversity The Chamber supports an educational and employment environment that embraces a diverse workforce and capitalizes on unique talents.

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Health CareHealth Information Exchanges The Chamber supports the confidential exchange of health information to facilitate access to and retrieval of clinical data regardless of the setting of treatment. This exchange of information will reduce the duplication of services, reduce costs and increase the quality and efficiency of care.

Public Funding The Chamber supports policies that address regional funding disparities for health care providers to ensure continued access to health care services.

Long-Term Care The Chamber supports policies that incentivize individuals for and saving for their long-term care needs while targeting limited public dollars toward those who can least afford their own care. Given the projected wave of seniors utilizing long-term care, The Chamber encourages greater participation in information sharing by employers and employees and supports innovation in the delivery of long-term care that promotes consumer choice and reduces costs.

Health Promotion The Chamber supports investments in evidence-based worksite wellness programs that encourages a personal responsibility role in reducing the costs of health care and also supports public policies that discourages the use of tobacco products, decreases the health risks associated with use and reduces the disparity between North Dakota and Minnesota tobacco tax laws.

Cost Containment Strategies The Chamber recognizes the need for affordable health care and supports public policies that address the growing cost of care including: the promotion of wellness programs, the implementation of telehealth, tele-pharmacy and other innovations, the examination of medical liability laws and supporting payment methodologies that reward providers for quality, coordinated care and the management of chronic diseases.

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North Dakota Tax Relief The Chamber supports the continued reduction of property taxes, business taxes, individual income tax and sales tax while recognizing the need to maintain local control. The Chamber strongly supports the examination of reducing the state income tax to zero as a means to attract workforce and reward personal and corporate success.

Border City Competitiveness The Chamber will continue to support programs that allow Minnesota border cities to be competitive, including local government aid and the Disparity Reduction Credit. The Chamber will support efforts to eliminate business-to-business taxes as well as protect and create new border-city exemptions.

Entrepreneurship The Chamber supports ventures that foster the formation and advancement of business incubators to encourage start-ups, accelerate time to market and increase the rate of long-term success. The Chamber encourages the advancement of programs that provide access to capital or spur capital investment in the private sector to promote and support entrepreneurship.

Earned Income Credit The Chamber supports the viability of tax incentives that support workforce participation.

Global Trade The Chamber supports efforts to expand fair global trade opportunities for North Dakota and Minnesota businesses by removing trade sanctions and barriers and enforcing existing trade agreements. The Chamber recognizes the foreign trade distortions that require a balanced trade policy.

Tort Reform and Legal Climate The Chamber supports identifying opportunities to improve the legal climate to be fair and predictable for all parties and to discourage the practice of costly, frivolous lawsuits.

Economic Development and Tax Policy

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Flood ProtectionPermanent Flood Protection The Chamber supports the FM Area Diversion project as the best solution to reduce the flood risk in the metropolitan area and provide protection of lives, property and economic opportunity.

Multiple Funding Sources The Chamber supports the allocation of financial resources for the construction and maintenance of the diversion project from all available local, state and federal partners.

Impact Mitigation The Chamber recognizes that achieving the necessary flood risk reduction will not come without a cost and encourages sponsors and stakeholders to make every effort to minimize the impact to affected landowners.

Quality of Life The Chamber supports the integration of recreational opportunities into the development of the diversion project to contribute to a healthy, vibrant economy.

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Comprehensive Transportation Planning The Chamber supports a quality, multi-modal transportation system that allows people and goods to move quickly, conveniently and safely into and around the metropolitan area. The Chamber supports efforts to develop, integrate and maintain rail, air, bus and pedestrian services, including the expansion of services to new growth areas.

Strategic Development The Chamber supports a strategic and synergetic approach toward community development. This includes implementation of proven economic tools to promote investments in downtown Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. Additionally, The Chamber supports the study of construction and/or expansion of a multi-functional convention center to accommodate enhanced professional, educational and recreational opportunities.

Rail Safety and Efficiency The Chamber supports minimizing risk of accidents by any means possible including replacing older tank cars, appropriate speed regulations, increased standards for track and equipment inspections. The Chamber also supports public outreach and first responder training to ensure officials are properly informed and trained to respond to potential situations.

Expanded Bandwidth Capacity The Chamber supports a progressive private/public approach to developing an advanced digital infrastructure system through investments in the fiber networks, resulting in the highest speed and bandwidth capacity available.

Transportation Infrastructure Investments The Chamber supports investments in the National Highway System, Minnesota’s Interregional Corridors and the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund through the examination of the motor fuel tax to ensure adequate resources are available for transportation infrastructure needs.

Water Infrastructure The Chamber understands the increase in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural water use places a growing demand on existing water supplies that will be inadequate during periods of drought. The need to supplement the water supply to the Red River Valley has been clearly demonstrated; therefore, The Chamber supports the prioritization and advancement of the Red River Valley Water Supply Project to ensure the availability of a long-term, high-quality water supply.

Air Service The Chamber supports the vitality of air service to ensure sustainable access for commerce.

Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure

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Mark Dayton

Constitutional OfficersGovernor Mark Dayton

Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith

Attorney General Lori Swanson

Secretary of State Steve Simon

Minnesota Supreme Court Lorie Skjerven Gildea, Chief JusticeBarry AndersonChristopher DietzenDavid StrasWilhelmina WrightDavid LillehaugNatalie Hudson

In Minnesota, constitutional officers include the governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor and secretary of state. Offices including the commissioner of education, commissioner of agriculture and commissioner of revenue are appointed positions.

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MINNESOTA

Jack Dalrymple

Constitutional OfficersGovernor Jack Dalrymple

State Auditor Robert R. Peterson

Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley

Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring

Secretary of State Alvin A. Jaeger

State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem

Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger

Superintendent of Public Schools Kirsten Baesler

Public Service Commission Julie Fedorchak, ChairRandy ChristmannBrian Kalk

North Dakota Supreme Court Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief JusticeDale V. SandstromCarol Ronning KapsnerDaniel J. CrothersLisa Fair McEvers

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NORTH DAKOTA

Amy Klobuchar

Al Franken

Collin Peterson

Congressional DelegationSenator Amy Klobuchar302 Hart Senator Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 | 202.224.3244121 Fourth Street South | Moorhead, MN 56560218.287.2930 | klobuchar.senate.gov

Senator Al Franken309 Hart Senate BuildingWashington, DC 20510 | 202.224.5641819 Center Avenue, Suite 2A | Moorhead, MN 56560218.284.8721 | franken.senate.gov

Representative Collin Peterson2204 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 | 202.225.2165714 Lake Avenue, Suite 107 | Detroit Lakes, MN 56501218.847.5056 | collinpeterson.house.gov

Minnesota State LegislatureState Capitol Building75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. BoulevardSaint Paul, MN 55155651.296.8338 | leg.state.mn.us

District 4Sen. Kent Eken Phone: 651.296.3205 Email: Sen.kent.eken@senate.mn

District 4ARep. Ben Lien Phone: 651.296.5515 Email: Rep.ben.lien@house.mn

District 4BRep. Paul Marquart Phone: 651.296.6829 Email: Rep.paul.marquart@house.mn

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MINNESOTA

John Hoeven

Heidi Heitkamp

Kevin Cramer

Congressional DelegationSenator John Hoeven338 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 | 202.224.25511802 32nd Avenue, Suite B | Fargo, ND 58103701.239.5289 | hoeven.senate.gov

Senator Heidi HeitkampSH-110 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 | 202.224.2043657 Second Avenue North | Fargo, ND 58102701.232.8030 | heitkamp.senate.gov

Kevin Cramer1032 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 | 202.225.26113217 Fiechtner Drive, Suite D |Fargo, ND 58103701.356.2216 | kevincramer.house.gov

North Dakota State LegislatureState Capitol Building | 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505Legislative Council | 701.328.2916 | legis.nd.gov

District 41Sen. Kyle Davison | kdavison@nd.govRep. Pamela Anderson | pkanderson@nd.govRep. Al Carlson | acarlson@nd.gov District 45 Sen. Ronal Sorvaag | rsorvaag@nd.govRep. Mary Johnson | marycjohnson@nd.govRep. Tom Kading | tkading@nd.govDistrict 46 Sen. George Sinner | georgesinner@nd.govRep. Kathy Hawken | khawken@nd.gov

Rep. Jim Kasper | jkasper@nd.gov

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District 1Sen. Tim Mathern Email: tmathern@nd.gov

Rep. Ron Guggisberg Email: rguggisberg@nd.gov

Rep. Kris Wallman Email: kwallman@nd.gov

District 21 Sen. Carolyn Nelson Email: cnelson@nd.gov

Rep. Kathy Hogan Email: khogan@nd.gov

Rep. Mary Schneider Email: mschneider@nd.gov

District 44 Sen. Tim Flakoll Email: tflakoll@nd.gov

Rep. Josh Boschee Email: jboschee@nd.gov

Rep. Blair Thoreson Email: bthoreson@nd.gov

District 13 Sen. Judy Lee Email: jlee@nd.gov

Rep. Kim Koppelman Email: kkoppelman@nd.gov

Rep. Chris Olson Email: cdolson@nd.gov

District 27 Sen. Jon Casper Email: jcasper@nd.gov

Rep. Thomas Beadle Email: tbeadle@nd.gov

Rep. Randy Boehning Email: rboehning@nd.gov

District 45 Sen. Ronald Sorvaag Email: rsorvaag@nd.gov

Rep. Mary Johnson Email: marycjohnson@nd.gov

Rep. Tom Kading Email: tkading@nd.gov

District 16 Sen. Tyler Axness Email: taxness@nd.gov

Rep. Ben W. Hanson Email: bwhanson@nd.gov

Rep. Ben Koppelman Email: bkoppelman@nd.gov

District 41 Sen. Kyle Davison Email: kdavison@nd.gov

Rep. Pamela Anderson Email: pkanderson@nd.gov

Rep. Al Carlson Email: acarlson@nd.gov

District 46 Sen. George Sinner Email: georgesinner@nd.gov

Rep. Kathy Hawken Email: khawken@nd.gov

Rep. Jim Kasper Email: jkasper@nd.gov

NORTH DAKOTA

Del Rae Williams

Chad Olson

Local Leaders

First Ward Mari Dailey | mari.dailey@ci.moorhead.mn.usNancy Otto | nancy.otto@ci.moorhead.mn.usSecond Ward Heidi Durand | Heidi.durand@ci.moorhead.mn.usJim Haney | Jim.haney@ci.moorhead.mn.usThird Ward Brenda Elmer | Brenda.elemer@ci.moorhead.mn.usMike Hulett | Mike.Hulett@ci.moorhead.mn.usFourth Ward Chuck Hendrickson | chuck.hendrickson@ci.moorhead.mn.usSteve Gehrtz | steve.gehrtz@ci.moorhead.mn.us

Moorhead City Council218.299.5305 | ci.moorhead.mn.usMayor Del Rae WilliamsDelrae.williams@ci.moorhead.mn.us

District 1 Wayne Ingersoll | wayne.ingersoll@co.clay.mn.usDistrict 2 Frank Gross | frank.gross@co.clay.mn.usDistrict 3 Jenny Mongeau | jenny.mongeau@co.clay.mn.usDistrict 4 Kevin Campbell | kevin.campbell@co.clay.mn.usDistrict 5 Grant Weyland | grant.weyland@co.clay.mn.us

Clay County Commission218.299.5002 | co.clay.mn.us

Elected City Officials of Dilworth Jim Aasness | jim.aasness@ci.dilworth.mn.usJulie Nash | Julie.nash@ci.dilworth.mn.usJason Kakac | Jason.kakac@ci.dilworth.mn.usKevin Spaulding | kevin.spaulding@ci.dilworth.mn.us

Dilworth City Council218.287.2313 | dilworthcitymn.comMayor Chad Olsonchad.olson@ci.dilworth.mn.us

MINNESOTA

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Tim Mahoney

Rich Mattern

Local Leaders

District 1 Chad Peterson | petersonc@casscountynd.govDistrict 2 Rick Steen | sttenr@casscountynd.govDistrict 3 Ken Pawluk | pawlukk@casscountynd.govDistrict 4 Arland Rasmussen | rasmussena@casscountynd.gov District 5 Mary Scherling | scherlingm@casscountynd.gov

Fargo City Commissioners Tony Gehrig | tgehrig@cityoffargo.comDave Piepkorn | dpiepkorn@cityoffargo.comMelissa Sobolik | msobolik@cityoffargo.comMike Williams | mjwilliams@cityoffargo.com

Fargo City Commission701.241.1310 | cityoffargo.comMayor Tim Mahoneytmahoney@cityoffargo.com

Cass County Commission701.241.5720 | casscountynd.gov

West Fargo City Commisioners Mark Wentz | mark.wentz@westfargond.govDuane Hanson | duane.hanson@westfargond.govMark Simmons | mark.simmons@westfargond.govMike Thorstad | mike.thorstad@westfargond.gov

West Fargo City Commission701.433.5300 | westfargond.govMayor Rich Matternrich.mattern@westfargond.gov

NORTH DAKOTAMINNESOTA

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Legislator Contacts

Contacting a Legislator in North DakotaHouse and Senate leaders are the only members assigned an office and receive assistance from a legislative staff member. During a session, all legislators can be reached by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center or by physical addresses listed on their biographies. North Dakota Legislative Telephone Message Center 1.888.NDLEGIS (635.3447) or 701.328.3373

North Dakota Legislator Email Addresses Legislators also have access to email and their addresses may be found at legis.nd.gov/contact-my-legislators.

Contacting a Legislator in MinnesotaMinnesota legislators are assigned offices and a legislative assistant to help coordinate their work and constituent requests. Staff members can be very helpful in ensuring legislators receive your communications. In addition, calling, writing letters to their physical address and emailing are all acceptable means of communication.

While visiting the Minnesota Capitol, meetings with your legislator can be arranged through their legislative assistant. They can also advise you on how to call a legislator out of a committee meeting or off the House or Senate Floor. How to Locate Your Minnesota Legislator Visit house.leg.state.mn.us/members/hmem.asp or senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/index.php to find out who your Minnesota Legislator is.

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E N G I N E E R I N GS O L U T I O N SFROM MUNICIPAL TO TRANSPORTATION.

Biennium The two-year period by which North Dakota and Minnesota budgets are set. Unless called into special session, lawmakers in North Dakota meet once during the biennium, while Minnesota lawmakers have a flexible schedule, which means by law, they are not required to meet annually but are authorized to do so.

Bill A proposal calling for a new law, a change in current law, the repeal of current law, or a constitutional amendment is drafted into a bill for consideration by the legislative bodies.

CaucusHouse and Senate members of the same political party or faction meet a “caucus” to elect leadership and discuss priorities.

Concurrence When changes or amendments are made to a proposal, the original body can concur or not concur. Concurrence is an action in which one body approves or adopts a proposal or action taken by the other house. Conference Committee A group of members from the House and Senate appointed to resolve differences in a proposal passed by both chambers in different forms.

Consent Calendar Typically non-controversial bills that are awaiting their second reading.

Selective Legislative Terminology

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Companion Bills In Minnesota, identical bills can be introduced in the House and the Senate. The bills can be passed out of both chambers into committees for further action. If both bills return to the House and Senate floor, a conference committee would be appointed to work out the differences. Companion bills are not used in North Dakota as typically a bill is introduced in the House or the Senate, is referred to a committee. Once it returns to the House or Senate floor it is voted on and if passed, sent to the second house. If the bill is amended by the second house, a conference committee ultimately is appointed to work out the differences.

Fiscal Note Fiscal notes are intended to be an objective assessment on the price tag on proposed legislation on the change in expenditures and revenues that will result from a bill.

Interim The months between adjournment of one regular session and the next is referred to as the “interim.” When the legislature is not in session, committees continue to work on assigned studies and often produce legislation to introduce in the following session.

Journals The official records of the House and Senate. Records are recorded and posted on their respective legislative web sites.

LobbyistLobbyists are individuals who are hired, or act on their own behalf to influence action in a particular manner. Information on how to register as a lobbyist, rules and reporting requirements can be accessed from each state’s Secretary of State office.

Referendum Legislatures can refer law making proposals to the voters by passing a referendum. The referendum would be placed on the ballot for a vote.

Selective Legislative Terminology

Selective Legislative Terminology

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Page 1 | Public Policy Guide

This guide was developed by the Public Affairs committee and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. Photography provided by 5foot20 design lounge, Explore Minnesota Tourism, FATcat Studios, Legacy Photography and North Dakota Tourism/Clayton Wolt.

202 First Avenue North | Moorhead, Minnesota 56560218.233.1100 | fmwfchamber.com