HBA Advocacy Update

September news from Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Minimum-wage rates will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2024, to $10.85 an hour for large employers and $8.85 an hour for other state minimum wages. 

Click here to read the full newsletter. 

Fargo

Economic Development Incentives Committee: New draft of P3 criteria

The EDIC continues to make changes to the public/private partnership (P3) criteria. After discussions with local developers, a new criteria draft is in the works. There may be an update on current incentives and their outcomes at the next meeting. If interested, the next meeting is Sept. 26 at 1 p.m., Fargo City Hall. 

Growth Plan

The advisory committee met to go over a proposed vision of growth and discuss feedback received from a public survey. Additional opportunities for public input will be held in mid-Oct. 

Moorhead councilmember sworn in

Sebastian McDougall was sworn in Sept. 11 as the newly appointed councilmember for Ward 4.

Upcoming Building Industry Connect: FMWF Chamber Foundation

At September's BIC, we will discuss workforce initiatives the Chamber Foundation is spearheading for our region. 

The conversation will take place over lunch on Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the HBA of F-M. Guests include Jenna Mueller, executive director and Curtis Sullivan, vice president of workforce and culture. 

For more information and to register, click here. 

NAHB News

Proposed Senate bill would repeal onerous energy codes provision

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) recently introduced S. 2806, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act. This legislation would repeal a section of the Inflation Reduction Act that provides $1 billion in federal grants, pressuring state and local governments to adopt costly and restrictive energy codes. An additional 12 senators were original cosponsors. 

According to the National Association of Home Builders, "Adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code can cost a home buyer as much as $31,000 in additional costs and can take as long as 90 years for home owners to see a payback from these investments. "

For more information, read the article here. 

Labor Dept. Proposes Changes to Overtime Pay Rules for Certain Salaried Workers

The proposal would increase the current salary level for determining overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees from $684 a week ($35,568 annualized) to $1,059 a week ($55,068 annualized). 

More details here.