Today Minnesota Retailers Impact announced the endorsement of these candidates running for the Minnesota House of Representatives:

Minnesota House

Jim Joy - 4B
Lisa Demuth - 13A
Tim O'Driscoll - 13B
Bernie Perryman - 14A
Chris Swedzinski - 15A
Dave Baker - 16B
Greg Davids - 26B
Marion Rarick - 29B
Peggy Scott - 31B
Matt Norris - 32B
Zack Stephenson - 35A
Kristin Robbins - 37A
Kristin Bahner - 37B
Kelly Moller - 40A
Cheryl Youakim - 46B
Jim Nash - 48A
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn - 49B
Steve Elkins - 50B
John Huot - 56B
Jon Koznick - 57A           
Jeff Witte - 57B

“These candidates have demonstrated an appreciation for what the retail industry offers Minnesota’s economy as the industry supports over 950,000 jobs across the State. Each endorsed candidate is a demonstateed supporter of Minnesota's consumers, retailers, and our communities,” said Minnesota Retailers Impact Treasurer Bruce Nustad.

Minnesota Retailers Impact is a politial action committee funded through personal contributions to support candidates who appreciate retailer contributions to Minnesota communities.

At Minnesota Retailers, our mission is to ensure collective success across the state by continually advancing retail—encompassing retailers, partners, employees, consumers, and policymakers.

Retail businesses are the backbone of our communities. They drive economic activity, create jobs, contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, and serve as vital links in the supply chain that connects Minnesota to the world. Your presence here today underscores the crucial role you play in shaping the policies that impact this dynamic industry.

We invite you to review our six proposed policy priorities, which are key to ensuring that communities in Minnesota thrive. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we strive to craft policies that support workforce development, encourage innovation, and remove barriers to growth. By working together, we can sustain and enhance the economic vitality of the state.

Proposed Priorities

• Cultivate a Competitive Retail Landscape for Minnesotans
  
  Minnesota retailers operate in an increasingly hyper-competitive environment, where success hinges on the state's ability to balance critical factors such as taxes, regulations, environmental stewardship, and overall competitiveness. By balancing these prioritizes, the state can better support consumers, workers, and the retail economy, which plays a vital role in contributing to Minnesota's prosperity.
  
  
• Support Retailers & Communities with a Vendor Collection Allowance
  
  Retailers bear the full cost of collecting and remitting sales taxes to the state. A state task force on local sales taxes recommends investing in our retail partners by offering an allowance to offset these collection costs.
  
  
• Modernize Alcohol Regulations to Reflect Consumer Preferences
  
  Minnesota is unique in its restriction of beer and wine sales primarily to liquor stores and we are the last state to license 3.2 beer. Minnesotans should have the option, clarity, and convenience of buying full-strength beer, including local brews, in grocery and convenience stores.
  
  
• Combat Organized Retail Crime with Dedicated Resources & Coordination
  
  Following the passage of a bill defining organized retail crime (ORC) in 2023, our next step is to establish and fund a state ORC workgroup. This group, modeled after successful collaborations in other states, would use a coordinated, cross-agency approach to quickly identify and shut down organized crime rings.
  
  
• Enhance Healthcare Accessibility at Retail Pharmacies
  
  Community pharmacies play a vital role in providing healthcare services to Minnesotans. Updating laws and regulations is essential to ensure these services continue to be accessible across the state.
  
  
• Promote Workforce Participation & Development with Affordable Childcare
  
  A strong and resilient workforce is essential for Minnesota's economy. The Department of Employment and Economic Development projects that there will be 125,000 retail sales and supervisor openings over the next decade. Addressing the childcare shortage will help more Minnesotans enter and stay in the workforce.

>> Click here to weigh-in on these priorities and tell us about yours!