The Voice of Business
The Chamber serves as the voice of business at all levels of government. Through our advocacy efforts, the Chamber ensures that the interests of the business community are represented throughout the policymaking process.
Elected officials make decisions that have an immense impact on local businesses and the economy. As the business community’s non-partisan voice, the Chamber engages with elected officials on the local, state, and federal level to advocate for policies that enhance the quality of life in our community and region.
Chamber Advocacy Team
Jonathon Krull, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Leadership Development
Ryan Parsons, President
Legislative Agenda
To communicate the Chamber’s policy stances, we develop a yearly legislative agenda derived from insight from our member businesses. The legislative agenda communicates a clear set of priorities to legislators and members alike.
Key Legislative Priorities for 2026
- Support legislative efforts that positively impact talent attraction, retention, and training needs to meet the evolving workforce needs of the Rochester region.
- Support legislative efforts that encourage development, promote sustainability, and enhance the Rochester region through investments in infrastructure and projects that positively impact the regional business community.
Additional Legislative Priorities for 2026
2025 Legislative Session Review
Over the past three years, the Minnesota Legislature has experienced a DFL trifecta, a historic tie, and narrow partisan majorities, and the upcoming 2026 legislative session promises to be just as interesting. As the session nears, many candidates and elected officials already have their sights set on election season. In the 2026 cycle, Minnesotans will see a number of offices on the ballot, including governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the entire Minnesota Legislature, and numerous local offices.
Given the narrow margins in the state legislature, federal policy changes, and 2026 being an election year, the upcoming session promises to be a unique one.
As the session approaches, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing our 2026 legislative priorities derived from input from a diverse makeup of Chamber members, including small businesses, mid-size employers, and community partners.
This year, the top two priorities return from our 2025 legislative agenda. These include the support of the City of Rochester and Olmsted County’s bonding projects and legislative support for efforts to address talent attraction, retention, and training that sustains and empowers the diverse workforce of the Rochester region.
Additionally, the Chamber’s advocacy efforts will focus on:
- Securing state bonding funds for the development of interchanges on Highway 14 in Byron at the intersection of Highway 14 and County State Aid Highways 3 and 5
- Addressing business concerns through modifications to mandates such as Paid Family Medical Leave
- Reducing barriers to employment and addressing workforce needs
- Promoting economic development through tax reform and streamlining the permitting process
- Supporting legislative efforts to remove the nuclear moratorium to enhance grid reliability and strengthen baseload power
- Addressing regional housing needs through the development and expansion of resources such as the City of Rochester’s request for funding to increase sewer capacity
The Chamber is committed to keeping you, our members, informed of our advocacy efforts and legislative developments. Our Advocate newsletter, sent out bi-weekly during legislative session, shares relevant policy updates, opportunities to engage in the legislative process, and relevant local, state, and national news.
As a preview of the upcoming legislative session, the Chamber connected with our local delegation and invited them to share their perspective on what they view as the top priorities of the business community and their personal expectations and goals for the upcoming session in our December 2025 Advantage issue. With the February 17th start of session nearing, we encourage you to view the responses of legislators to learn more about their outlook and expectations for the coming year.
Thank you to you, our members, for your continued engagement in our advocacy efforts as we work to share the voice of the Rochester area business community with our elected officials in St. Paul.
Advocacy Communications
The Advocate Email Newsletter
The Advocate shares information on the advocacy efforts of the Chamber and informs members of relevant news stories on the local, state, and federal levels. It is sent biweekly during the legislative session (January - May) and monthly outside of the session. During the session, we highlight a few key bills we are tracking and the impact of the bill on business.Â
Sign up to receive The Advocate and other Chamber email newsletters.Â
Advantage Magazine
Each year, Advantage magazine publishes features focused on advocacy both before and after the legislative session. These articles include insights from Rochester-area Senators and Representatives, who share their priorities heading into the session and key takeaways afterward. They address key issues affecting businesses, challenges faced, and notable highlights.
During major election years, the Advantage magazine features local candidate profiles in October.
View the Advantage magazine issues here.
Advocacy Events
Eggs & Issues
Two-part series covering relevant topics to the business community
Legislative Update
Updates from legislators on the legislative session and expected outcomes
Local Government Connect
Updates from the city, county, schools, and parks as well as expected business impacts
Economic Summit
Regional economic snapshot with an economic outlook keynote
Day at the Capitol
Sharing the issues impacting business operations with decision makers in St. Paul
Linking Leaders & Industry
Fostering meaningful discussions and collaboration between declared candidates for local political office and the business community
Information Sessions
Varying topics of interest, past topics include earned sick and safe time, legalization of marijuana, upcoming road construction, paid family medical leave
Candidate Training
Equips those considering to run for local office with the needed resources and information to run a successful campaign