Allina Hospitals & Clinics CEO Speaks to Business

Allina CEO Dick Pettingill was in Owatonna to discuss the future of health care and its impact on Owatonna.  In a meeting with the Chamber Board, policy committee and select leaders, Mr. Pettingill talked about a new model for health care because he says the current system is not working.  A few of the key points from his talk include:

-In the current model, health care providers get paid for treating people in hospitals and clinics, not specifically for keeping people healthy so that they don’t have to go to a hospital.  The system needs to have a model that provides incentive for keeping people healthy, not treating them in the actual building. 

-He believes we can work on maintaining the health of the population by focusing on issues like childhood obesity and creating heart safe communities.  He says that 20% of the population use the majority of the health care services because of chronic disease.

-Allina is spending $250 million on a new electronic medical record system that Mr. Pettingill says will be complete in 2007.  The new system creates efficient health care services and hopefully at some time portability of electronic files from one medical institution to another.  In the case of Owatonna they are working on this with Mayo right now because they want to provide a seamless health care campus on 26^th Street. 

-Mr. Pettingill states that he is part of a group working for a statewide secondhand smoke ban. 

-It is expected that by the year 2010, 25% of the population will be on consumer driven health plans which will help in part push a new health care model. 

 

 

Brad Meier

President/CEO

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Your Business Resource Center

320 Hoffman Drive

Owatonna, MN 55060

Phone: 507-451-7970

Fax: 507-451-7972

email: bmeier@owatonna.org

Web: www.owatonna.org

 

Manufacturing Luncheon: MN Manufacturing Week October 23-27

Local manufactruing CEOs and managers gather for Minnesota Manufacturing Week (October 23-27).

Highlights include a Mayoral proclamation given to host Wenger Corporation for 60 years of business in Owatonna, as well as Minnesota Waste Wise award presentation.


Approximatley 17 min.
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Commissioner/Sheriff Candidate Forum

Hear responses to questions and issues from Commissioner District 3 and 5 candidates, as well as candidates in the Sheriff’s race. The forum was held on Monday, October 16th by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (OACCT),Early Edition Rotary Club, Noon Rotary Club and the Owatonna People’s Press. Audio recording provided by KRFO AM 1390.


Approximately 46 min.

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Congressional Forum-Gutknecht/Walz

Listen to District 1 Congressional Candidates Gil Gutknecht and Tim Walz state positions at the recent Owatonna Chamber, Early Edition Rotary, Noon Rotary and Owatonna People's Press candidate forum on October 2nd.

Approximately 54 min.


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State Representative Candidate Forum

Listen to responses from candidates from District 26 (Senator Dick Day/Jeremy Eller), 26 A (State Rep. Connie Ruth/Kathy Muellerleile) and 26 B (State Rep. Patti Fritz/Otto Luknic) at the Early Edition Rotary Club, Noon Rotary Club, Owatonna People's Press and Owatonna Chamber's candidate forum.


Appx. 1 hr. 30 min.
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Business Disaster & Recovery Planning

Steele County/Owatonna Emergency Management Director Mike Johnson discusses areas of business disaster planning, including recovery from a disaster.

"Before the Aftermath" business assesement tool is available on www.Owatonna.org.

7 min.


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May Talk of the Town

Brad's monthly Chamber update on KRFO AM 1390.




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U.S. Chamber Access: Gingrich and Clinton

Business on National Stage

The following audio is from the US Chamber Access 2006 program held in Washington DC. The Owatonna business community was represented at this program May 10-12th. The audio is of two of the more prominent speakers, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Senator Hillary Clinton. The message was to small business on issues that are most important including health care, small business health care, education, energy, and transportation. Other topics covered included: middle class engine, National deficit, health care dilema, regulation reform, litigation reform, competing with China and India and technology changes.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich discusses the importance of business.
1 min.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses the U.S'. dependence on fuel.
1 min.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses small business health care.
2 min. 30 sec.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses health care.
2 min.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses the national deficit.
2 min.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses the 'middle class engine'.
1 min.




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Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) addresses the U.S. health care dilema with U.S. Chamber of Commerce members.
2 min.




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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses regulation reform.
1 min.




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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses litigation reform.
1 min. 30 sec.




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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses how the U.S. can compete with China and India.
1 min. 30 sec.




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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses technology changes.
1 min.




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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses the expansion of U.S. science to U.S. Chamber of Commerce members.
2 min. 5 sec.




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Secretary of Treasury addresses Leaders

The Secretary of the Treasury, John Snow spoke on the current economy of the United States as well as the future projections during the US Chamber Access 2006 program in Washington DC.

He says the economy is strong and moving forward in a positive way. When he started the economy was under performing and fragile, now with tax cuts that he'd like to see as permanent, the last 3 years have brought lowering of taxes that improves the economy, adds jobs, real wages, while increasing government income as well.

Growth is at 4% over the last 3 years, real wages are up, revenues are up (highest the government has ever had), GDP is up and there are 5.2 million jobs. The corporate tax receipts are up as are individual tax receipts.

His next quest is to get rid of the death tax. He says it's time to end the double taxes.

Sec. Snow believes that the national debt will come down and that the economy will meet and exceed the president's effort to cut the debt in half.

Looking ahead, how can we continue this 4% growth rate over the next 10 years? Sec. Snow says that increased job participation rate, capital investment, and innovation & technology are key to keeping the economy growing at this high rate.

Clinton Addresses Forum

Hillary Clinton, the possible frontrunner for the Democratic party in the 2008 presidential election addressed the Owatonna business leaders as well as the rest of the US Chamber forum during the Access 2006 program in Washington DC.

Clinton outlined the challenges that she believes we have as a country moving forward, including health care, education, energy, and fiscal responsibility.

Health Care-Information technology needs to be better. There should be a national framework for this and a single form for all insurance companies.
Education-Need to invest earlier in our kids and keep the doors of college open for everyone
Energy-reduce the dependance on foreign oil. Force oil companies to change by using flex fuels and providing tax incentives to purchase more efficient vehicles. Also that we need better energy efficiency in our buildings.
Fiscal Responsibility-important for the government to grow the current situation is not good because we've got our 'hat in hand' when dealing with other countries because they're loaning us billions of dollars. She wants to see the US back on a pay as you go like in the 90's. Likened the deficit to a 'ticking time bomb'.

Gingrich Speaks Business In DC

Several applause stops spotted a speech by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich during the Owatonna business visit to DC with the Minnesota and US Chambers of Commerce. The Gringrich speech highlights include:
-Compliments to business-people who know what needs to be done in DC but are too busy in their own business to do their civic work and don't often break down the doors of government.
-Science will change dramatically over the next few years which means more knowledge with more advanced technology.
-The US will need to transform itself to compete with China and India by changing: litigation, regulation, taxation, and security.

-Citizens need to be the immediate response to issues. Gingrich mentioned several examples of private business being many times more efficient than government and even joked that it might have been better for New Orleans if FEMA hadn't found its way there.
-Health Savings Accounts need to be implemented by employers so that employees are invested in their health care. Prevention and wellness is key piece of overall health of country.
-Education-interesting idea to pay kids money for math and science scores with grades of B or better in the poorest neighborhoods of America.

We'll have full audio of Gingrich's speech shortly on this site.

US Chamber President Addresses Owatonna Business

Part of the Owatonna business visit to Washington DC included an excellent panel of speakers. Tom Donahue, President/CEO of the United States Chamber of Commerce addressed several hundred small business people this morning and touched on the following:
-Small business is why the US economy is doing so well versus Europe where unemployment is high-small business people get up early and stay late to get it done.
-The message is that we're here as businesses to kick some butt at capitol hill.
-Government needs to create a good environment for business and then get out of the way!!
-The US Chamber is now getting into K-12 education, after stating some very sobering statistics about low graduation rates, unskilled workers, etc, lead Donahue to ask, "What the hell are we doing?"
-Outlined three priorities when dealing with Immigration: 1. Safety of the country, 2. future of the workforce, 3. Who we are-country of immigrants, what do we want our country to look like?

Four Season Collaboration

Great work by the Steele County Commissioners, specifically Tom Shea and a community task force to find a solution to a potentially bad situation.

Never flinching, the effort lead by Steele County Park & Rec Chair John Connaker, jumped a marathon worth of hurdles to ensure all current users of the Four Season Center remain.

The exciting part about this is that seven entities made concessions so that there will be ice in March/April starting in 2008 for the SMN Express junior A hockey team and dry floor available for our other successful events (Deer & Turkey Expo, Farm & Power, KOWZ Home Show, Wrestling Open).

The Chamber of Commerce says 'Thank You' to this hard fought effort, your work is very positive for the Owatonna area. Let's keep the momentum moving in the right direction!

State Transportation & Energy Issues

What can be done to address transportation needs in Minnesota? How do we provide consistent power to our industries and homes at affordable prices?
These two major business questions were hashed out during a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring state lawmakers: Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), Sen. Ann Rest (D-New Hope), Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee), and Rep. Paul Thissen (D-Minneapolis).
Transportation
Let's clear out the rush hour parking lot in the metro! Discussion revolved around interesting ideas for reducing congestion in the Twin Cities metro area, including an outer ring that would route traffic in a wider square around the metro area outside of the 494/694 ring. Toll roads and hot lanes made it into the discussion as well with the lawmakers in general interested in the toll road option since it works in other states.
Each of the legislators were in favor of a gas tax ranging from 5-10 cents to help pay for infrastructure.
Sen. Senjem even brought up his belief that a commuter rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities may be prudent in the future.
Rep. Beard cited engineering solutions that merge lanes in a smarter way to reduce traffic problems in the Twin Cities on sections of 494/694 and how this can help as part of the solution.
Each of the legislators would like to see the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment wording changed a little bit, but all agree that either way this is an amendment that needs to pass in November to send needed money to transportation.
Energy
What do animal waste, wind and nuclear all have in common? They're electric! At least capable of producing power.
Of course these options and coal were all part of the continuing discussion about growing energy options for our state and nation.
According to Rep. Beard, bio mass (burning animal waste for power) is working with almost 100% efficiency in some locations. Rep. Thissen believes wind needs to be part of the mix and Sen. Senjem wants to wait on an energy policy until a study comes back that would provide detailed information about the options. This study will be available for the debate in 2007.
They acknowledged that base power-providing nonstop generation-is an issue. Transporting coal from the coal basins is a problem that hasn't been fixed with rail lines providing slow and inconsistent service. Nuclear power was discussed as a very real opportunity. The issue, they say, with nuclear is that it is a political problem because the perception is that it is very dangerous and bad for the environment.

State Transportation & Energy Issues

What can be done to address transportation needs in Minnesota?  How do we provide consistent power to our industries and homes at affordable prices?

These two major business questions were hashed out during a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring state lawmakers:  Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), Sen. Ann Rest (D-New Hope), Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee), and Rep. Paul Thissen (D-Minneapolis).

Transportation
Let's clear out the rush hour parking lot in the metro!  Discussion revolved around interesting ideas for reducing congestion in the Twin Cities metro area, including an outer ring that would route traffic in a wider square around the metro area outside of the 494/694 ring.  Toll roads and hot lanes made it into the discussion as well with the lawmakers in general interested in the toll road option since it works in other states. 

Each of the legislators were in favor of a gas tax ranging from 5-10 cents to help pay for infrastructure. 

Sen. Senjem even brought up his belief that a commuter rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities may be prudent in the future. 

Rep. Beard cited engineering solutions that merge lanes in a smarter way to reduce traffic problems in the Twin Cities on sections of 494/694 and how this can help as part of the solution. 

Each of the legislators would like to see the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment wording changed a little bit, but all agree that either way this is an amendment that needs to pass in November to send needed money to transportation.

Energy
What do animal waste, wind and nuclear all have in common?  They're electric!  At least capable of producing power. 
Of course these options and coal were all part of the continuing discussion about growing energy options for our state and nation.

According to Rep. Beard, bio mass (burning animal waste for power) is working with almost 100% efficiency in some locations.  Rep. Thissen believes wind needs to be part of the mix and Sen. Senjem wants to wait on an energy policy until a study comes back that would provide detailed information about the options.  This study will be available for the debate in 2007. 

They acknowledged that base power-providing nonstop generation-is an issue.  Transporting coal from the coal basins is a problem that hasn't been fixed with rail lines providing slow and inconsistent service.  Nuclear power was discussed as a very real opportunity.  The issue, they say, with nuclear is that it is a political problem because the perception is that it is very dangerous and bad for the environment. 

 

 

State Transportation & Energy Issues

What can be done to address transportation needs in Minnesota?  How do we provide consistent power to our industries and homes at affordable prices?

These two major business questions were hashed out during a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring state lawmakers:  Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), Sen. Ann Rest (D-New Hope), Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee), and Rep. Paul Thissen (D-Minneapolis).

Transportation
Let's clear out the rush hour parking lot in the metro!  Discussion revolved around interesting ideas for reducing congestion in the Twin Cities metro area, including an outer ring that would route traffic in a wider square around the metro area outside of the 494/694 ring.  Toll roads and hot lanes made it into the discussion as well with the lawmakers in general interested in the toll road option since it works in other states. 

Each of the legislators were in favor of a gas tax ranging from 5-10 cents to help pay for infrastructure. 

Sen. Senjem even brought up his belief that a commuter rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities may be prudent in the future. 

Rep. Beard cited engineering solutions that merge lanes in a smarter way to reduce traffic problems in the Twin Cities on sections of 494/694 and how this can help as part of the solution. 

Each of the legislators would like to see the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment wording changed a little bit, but all agree that either way this is an amendment that needs to pass in November to send needed money to transportation.

Energy
What do animal waste, wind and nuclear all have in common?  They're electric!  At least capable of producing power. 
Of course these options and coal were all part of the continuing discussion about growing energy options for our state and nation.

According to Rep. Beard, bio mass (burning animal waste for power) is working with almost 100% efficiency in some locations.  Rep. Thissen believes wind needs to be part of the mix and Sen. Senjem wants to wait on an energy policy until a study comes back that would provide detailed information about the options.  This study will be available for the debate in 2007. 

They acknowledged that base power-providing nonstop generation-is an issue.  Transporting coal from the coal basins is a problem that hasn't been fixed with rail lines providing slow and inconsistent service.  Nuclear power was discussed as a very real opportunity.  The issue, they say, with nuclear is that it is a political problem because the perception is that it is very dangerous and bad for the environment. 

 

 

Talk of the Town-April

Monthly update on Chamber happenings on KRFO AM 1390 and www.Owatonna.org.




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Local Option Sales Tax Proposal

City Administrator Greg Sparks, Mayor Tom Kuntz, Park & Rec Director Jeff McKay and City Council President Bill Thompson explain the proposed 1/2% local option sales tax.


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March 2006 KRFO Update

Monthly radio show update.


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Rep. Fran Bradley Discusses Health Care Costs

Representative Fran Bradley discusses health care costs in Minnesota.


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Governor Pawlenty Unveils Plan in Owatonna

Gov. Pawlenty unveils details about the state transportation plan in Owatonna.


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Minnesota Chamber Update From Board Member Bob Randall, Viracon

Bob Randall is a Sales Manager at Viracon and a member of the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors.  These updates are from his perspective, please feel free to go to www.mnchamber.com for official policy statements from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

The Minnesota Chamber is staking its entire effort this year on passing the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) constitutional amendment after having failed to get more transportation funding for the past four years. Failing to pass the MVST Amendment would certainly set us back in the eyes of the legislature and governor's office as they would say, "the public has spoken...they did not want any more money to go for transportation...this even when the proposal involved only a shift in existing revenues...in essence the proposal involves more funding and NO
TAX INCREASES."
We tabled Eminent Domain until our next meeting in April... members are split between the strict property rights point of view and the pro-growth faction that like having eminent domain as an economic development option. I personally favor limited usage, but not a strict interpretation precluding it from an economic standpoint 100%. Hopefully by April we will have some ideas on how to craft a policy "in the middle".

We decided Energy would be our next big policy effort. The Chamber
staff will spend most of their research resources on this issue this
year as we try to come out with a proactive policy supporting more power
generation to keep rates competitive...if we do nothing,
proposals unfriendly to business will likely put us on the defensive down the road.
Workforce development will be a future issue we deal with as well . We are struggling to
get our arms around this monster! Some want to tackle the issue
"soup to nuts" (education through worker training and recruitment) while
some of us would like more time to define what it is we need. The MN Chamber staff
will work on coming up with some way to measure/research the issue and
present the options to us before we move ahead.
The MN Chamber will be leaping into the debate regarding election reform
as we advocate: 1) staggered terms for the MN Senate 2) moving up the
primaries to June (as a way to minimize the caucuses and encourage more
"mainstream" candidates) 3) having a biennial legislature...having them
meet every other year rather than every year so as to discourage the
idea of having our legislators be full time politicians and 4)drawing
district lines by commission to help de-politicize the process.
We will also be addressing the governor's immigration reform proposal as
it has a provision that is not business-friendly...namely the feature
that opens up a witch hunt for companies that "knowingly hire illegal
immigrants". The issue seems to be more of a Federal problem, rather
than a state problem. We don't have a policy yet, but clearly this is
not fair to businesses that try to comply with Federal Employment law,
which limits the questions and verification we can do to verify citizenship. Having the state put more responsibility on business to verify citizenship while the Federal Gov't ties our hands makes no
sense in my opinion , so I am sure we will have something by April on this issue.
We sharpened up our education, healthcare, environmental, labor/mgmt,
civil justice and privacy policies as well. More on that if you want an
update on anything specific.

Sparks-City Sales Tax

City Administrator Greg Sparks details items on the proposed 1/2 percent local option sales tax.

Your thoughts on the local sales tax option: Click Here for a One Question Survey


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