NMMA Hosts MN State Legislators at Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow
Last weekend, NMMA hosted two Minnesota state legislators at the 87th Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis, serving as a key component of the association’s expanded state advocacy efforts. Representative Jim Davnie (D-MN-63A) of South Minneapolis and Representative Rick Hansen (D-MN-52A) of South St. Paul toured the show and met with exhibitors to learn more about the outdoor recreation industry.
Representative Davnie and Representative Hansen had the opportunity to speak with exhibitors about challenges the industry faces, including workforce shortages, trade, and tax. Additionally, they discussed the strong economic impact the outdoor recreation industry has on the local economy. In Minnesota, outdoor recreation consumers spend $16.7 billion annually and the industry generates $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue.
In February, Representative Davnie authored a bill (HF 2220) to create an Outdoor Recreation Office in Minnesota, an effort NMMA has supported nationwide as a leading member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) coalition. The bill passed through the Environment and Natural Resources Policy committee earlier this month and continues to move through the necessary process. On Thursday, March 28, HF 2220 will be heard in Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, which is chaired by Representative Hansen.
For more information, please contact NMMA vice president of state government relations, David Dickerson at [email protected] or NMMA Great Lakes policy and engagement manager, Jill Sims at [email protected].
Photo caption: State Representative Jim Davnie (D-MN-63A) and State Representative Rick Hansen (D-MN-52A) meet with Northwest Sportshow exhibitors.