Two years ago today, foodservice and other hospitality businesses were shut down as the state grappled with uncertainties around the developing COVID-19 pandemic. No industry has been hit harder by the following economic conditions, including shutdowns and limitations that reduced revenue by an equivalent of up to 249 days. Experts project that Minnesota’s hospitality and tourism industry lost over $15 billion in revenue. At the same time, operators’ bills for rent, mortgage, insurance, utilities, taxes, and other costs continued unabated, leaving a many in debt as they work to emerge from the crisis. Today, over half of restaurants and hotels project that revenue won’t return to “normal” until 2023 or later. The situation is made worse by the fact that the industry now has 32,000 less workers than pre-pandemic levels. This report and the data within helps drive our legislative engagement and communications strategy as an industry and is important information for our members and allies to understand and be conversant in.
Yesterday, we had a very positive hearing on our bill to create a free online hospitality training program modeled after South Dakota (see our Issue Brief). Thanks to member Jason Subbert (TPI Hospitality) and Xinyi Qian (U of M Tourism Center Director) for their testimony in addition to our presentation from EVP Ben Wogsland. Watch our testimony. Thank you to our Senate author Carrie Ruud for leading on this critical workforce solution. Thank Senator Ruud by contacting her here.
We are testifying before the Senate Tax Committee this morning in favor of SF3090, a bill to ensure Restaurant Revitalization Funds are not taxed in Minnesota. The bill is authored by Sen. Bigham (Cottage Grove) and the companion in the House is authored by Rep. Baker (Willmar). A similar provision is included in the governor’s tax bill HF3669, which we testified on previously in the House Tax Committee. While we are pushing for swift passage, it is becoming increasingly likely that these bills may not make it to the Floor for final votes until later in the session. Let your legislators know this is a priority.
On Monday, our bipartisan online hospitality training bill HF3550 advanced out of the House Workforce Division on a 12-0 vote and was sent to the Higher Ed Committee. The senate version SF3771 was also introduced on Monday. We met with the author Sen. Carrie Ruud (Breezy Point) on Tuesday and are pushing for a swift hearing in the Jobs Committee. CALL TO ACTION Reach out by phone or email, using our brief, to ask the House Higher Ed Committee members to co-author and support HF3550, a bill to create an online hospitality training program modeled after South Dakota’s successful program.
We advanced our positions on: ProStart/HTMP, Expansion, Online Hospitality Training, RRF Tax Conformity, UI Trust Fund Replenishment, Direct, Grant Relief, Open Wholesale Liquor, Sales Tax Exemption on Restaurant Equipment, and Relief for BWCA/Border.
Our work this week has been focused on providing testimony on key issues and meetings with leadership. Here's what we've been up to. Online Hospitality Training Bill Heard in House Workforce Committee Yesterday, the House Workforce Committee heard our bipartisan legislation to create a free online hospitality training program modeled after South Dakota’s successful program. Thank you to our lead author Rep. Baker (Willmar) and all of you who participated in our call-to-action earlier this week. Testifying on the bill were Ben Wogsland (HM, EVP), Xinyi Qian (UM Tourism, Director), and HM member Jason Subbert (TPI Hospitality, GM). Watch the hearing. Read more about the initiative in our Issue Brief.
HM Meets with House Minority Leader Daudt This morning, representatives for Hospitality Minnesota met with House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (Crown) to discuss our legislative priorities. We are meeting next week with House Speaker Hortman (Brooklyn Park) and Majority Leader Miller (Winona).
Things are moving quickly at the Minnesota Capitol, and here are the issues on deck this week. Look for the actions you can take to weigh:
This is a top priority on our legislative agenda this session and we’ve been advocating with the administration and legislators since last year. We continue to fight in DC for fully funding the RRF. You can help by contacting your federal elected officials. Take action today.
 The National Restaurant Association is hosting its annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington DC. April 25-27. Hospitality Minnesota has been meeting with members of the Minnesota delegation on issues such as Restaurant Revitalization Fund replenishment, Employee Retention Tax Credit and workforce shortage, but this is another way to make your voice heard. Interested in going to DC? Hospitality Minnesota can help facilitate meeting requests with your elected officials and provide you with talking points. Contact ben@hospitalitymn.com for more information.
|
Capitol UpdateFollow as we advocate for the hospitality industry at the local, state and federal levels. This work has been a hallmark of the Association for decades, and will continue to be a core benefit of membership. Archives
September 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
|
2520 University Av SE
Suite #201 Minneapolis MN 55414 Phone: (651) 778-2400 | info@hospitalitymn.com 2022© Hospitality Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. 
|