Minnesota Business Partnership

Minnesota Business Partnership
Name	Minnesota Business Partnership
Founded	1977
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Key people	Charlie Weaver (Executive Director)
Focus	Public policy, Economic development

Minnesota Business Partnership. It is a prominent nonprofit organization composed of the chief executives of Minnesota's largest employers, dedicated to shaping state policy to foster economic growth and competitiveness. Founded in the late 1970s, the organization leverages the collective influence of its members to advocate for legislative and regulatory changes. Its work spans areas including education reform, tax policy, infrastructure investment, and healthcare.

Overview

The organization operates as a 501(c)(6) entity, focusing on state-level public policy advocacy to improve Minnesota's business climate. Its membership is exclusive, comprising the CEOs of approximately 120 of the state's leading corporations, including giants like 3M, Target Corporation, UnitedHealth Group, and Cargill. The partnership is headquartered in Minneapolis and is known for its data-driven approach to policy recommendations, often commissioning studies from institutions like the University of Minnesota or consulting firms such as McKinsey & Company. Its activities are closely watched by the Minnesota Legislature, the Governor of Minnesota, and media outlets like the Star Tribune.

History

The partnership was established in 1977 by a group of prominent business leaders, including Curtis L. Carlson of Carlson Companies and William B. Randall of First Bank System, during a period of economic transition and growing state government influence. A key early figure was John W. Morrison, who served as its first executive director. Its formation was partly a response to the policies of Governor Rudy Perpich and aimed to provide a unified corporate voice on issues like taxation and regulation. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it was instrumental in debates over education standards, property tax reform, and welfare reform. It played a significant role in the passage of the Minnesota Miracle school funding law and later advocacy for the No Child Left Behind Act.

Membership

Membership is by invitation only and is restricted to the sitting chief executives of Minnesota's largest private-sector employers, spanning diverse industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and retail. Notable member companies have historically included General Mills, Best Buy, Land O'Lakes, Ecolab, and Xcel Energy. The Board of Directors is typically chaired by the CEO of a major member company, with past chairs including leaders from U.S. Bancorp and Thrivent Financial. This structure ensures the organization's agenda is directly driven by the state's top corporate leadership, providing significant financial resources and political access.

Advocacy_and_Policy

The partnership's advocacy focuses on long-term economic competitiveness, often through detailed white papers and direct lobbying at the Minnesota State Capitol. A major perennial issue is state tax policy, where it has advocated for lower corporate tax rates and reforms to the Minnesota corporate franchise tax. In education, it has championed teacher effectiveness reforms, school choice initiatives, and increased funding for STEM fields. Other priority areas include transportation funding for projects like Southwest Light Rail, healthcare cost containment, and regulatory reform affecting industries from mining on the Iron Range to financial services in Saint Paul.

Community_Engagement

Beyond direct lobbying, the organization engages in broader civic initiatives, often partnering with other groups like the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Itasca Project. It has been a supporter of major community projects, including the development of Target Field and the Minneapolis Riverfront. The partnership also funds and promotes programs aimed at workforce development, such as collaborations with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and initiatives to close achievement gaps in the Minneapolis Public Schools. These efforts are designed to align community health with long-term business success.

Leadership

The day-to-day operations are managed by Executive Director Charlie Weaver, a former Minnesota House of Representatives member and chief of staff to Governor Tim Pawlenty. The board chairmanship rotates among member CEOs; recent chairs have included leaders from Delta Air Lines (which maintains a major hub at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport) and Ameriprise Financial. The organization's staff includes policy experts and lobbyists who work closely with key political figures, including the Minnesota Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker, regardless of which party holds the majority, reflecting its pragmatic, business-oriented approach.

Category:Business organizations based in Minnesota Category:Organizations based in Minneapolis Category:1977 establishments in Minnesota