BIA Advocacy Update

Access resources for Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave below

While the rule doesn't fully kick in until Jan. 1, 2026, there are important steps that must be taken prior to 2026. For a full list of responsibilities and helpful information, head to: https://paidleave.mn.gov/ and click the "For employers" tab at the top.

The first important date: Minnesota employers (and employers with employees performing 50% or more of work in Minnesota) need to report wage details for their employees starting Oct. 31, 2024. Paid Leave will use the same online reporting system as Unemployment Insurance (UI). No additional steps are needed from employers if all of their employees are covered by UI, as the same account and quarterly wage detail reports will serve Paid Leave. If an employer has some or all of their employees not covered by UI, they may need to create an account to submit wage details by Oct. 31, 2024.

*If you have questions about the program, contact the department here. Please keep in mind that the program is still being developed and some details may not be established.

Virtual Small Business Meeting

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is hosting a monthly small business call to provide updates and a chance for small businesses to ask questions. The next call is at 2 p.m. Sept. 10. Click here for information. If you have questions, please contact mark.simmer@state.mn.us.

Recently, the FMWF Chamber hosted a great informational session in partnership with DEED on paid family and medical leave that included an informative presentation. We will share those slides once they are available.

Sept. 10: Moorhead City Council Candidate Forum 

BIA-RRV members, we invite you to attend our Candidate Forum at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at the BIA office. To register, click here. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Kosel. 

ND Measure 4: Property Taxes

Nov. 5 is Election Day, and it is coming up fast! 

One measure on the ballot gaining significant attention is Measure 4, which proposes eliminating property taxes in North Dakota. While we recognize that at first glance it may seem like a good idea, the BIA-RRV is opposed.

Why? No solid plan has been proposed to replace the revenue that would be lost if property taxes were eliminated. Without a well-vetted plan, we believe this change could lead to negative impacts for our local communities. Instead of local control, decisions would be passed to the state legislature. We maintain that local officials have the best understanding of local needs. 

Previously, it was estimated by the Legislative Council that the cost of the measure would be about $2.6 billion per biennium, not including money saved by cutting property tax relief programs. At a recent Legislative Management Committee meeting, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus provided three different estimates ranging from $3.04 billion to $3.15 billion for the 2025-2027 biennium. Legislative Management voted to use the most expensive estimate. You can read more in this ND Monitor article. 

BIA-RRV joined the Keep it Local coalition to collaborate with organizations across ND that are also opposed to the measure. To receive updates and further information on why this measure is not advantageous for our communities, head to keepitlocalnd.org.