As you know a new legislative session is upon us.  A fresh start and a chance to bring some fresh new ideas to our state.  Every legislator seems to have a some ideas on how to help our state. While Senator Gerlach has a lot of ideas, more of which you'll likely see here, a local news agency recently covered one of the ideas he'll be pushing early this session.

Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chairman Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, said one item his committee will address early in the session is the public benefit corporation.
Gerlach described a public benefit corporation as a hybrid between profit and nonprofit corporations.
In a public benefit corporation, investors invests with the idea of making modest returns on their dollars.
For these modest returns, investors are rewarded in knowing the corporation is engaged in part in activities with a public benefit, Gerlach explained.
Under the proposed legislation, liability protection is extended to public benefit corporation board of directors against shareholders intent on greater earnings, Gerlach said.
Gerlach is co-authoring the legislation with the Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville.

Hopefully this bi-partisan idea is passed and brings positive changes to Minnesota.

If you missed it,you're not the only one.  My opponent skipped the chance to address the concerns of local residents and those small business owners that are so critical to creating jobs.  Fortunately, you have the chance to watch it online by clicking here!

I'd like to thank the Rosemount Area Business Council of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the forum and giving my fellow local candidates and myself a chance to address the public and the local business community!

Senator Chris Gerlach has a proven track record of promoting policies that encourage job growth and economic stability.  Never has this been more important than these times of economic hardship, when so many are out of work and small businesses are struggling to survive.  In order for our economy to recover, our government needs to pursue an approach that provides the environment that allows businesses to do what they do best, create jobs, without government getting in their way.

That is why Senator Gerlach is proud of his endorsements from the State Chamber of Commerce PAC, the Dakota County Chamber of Commerce PAC, the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce PAC, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).  Each of these groups represent the kind of businesses we depend on to grow our economy and create jobs for the residents of Minnesota.  Senator Gerlach is honored by their endorsements, and looks forward to working with the business community to get Minnesota back on track with well-paying jobs and economic security.

The end of the session was bittersweet, because while we held the line on taxes and passed important election law changes, there were missed opportunities to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. 

I invite you to read my 2010 Legislative Session Report to read about what was accomplished this session and what further work is needed.

I look forward to serving you again in 2011 and beyond. Thank you for your support!

Senator Gerlach argues against the tax-raising DFL budget plan, by pointing out that the problem is not that Minnesotans are undertaxed. It's that the DFL-controlled Minnesota legislature overpromises and cannot control it's own spending.

Chris Gerlach will continue to fight for Minnesota's taxpayers in the Senate.