Sen. Mathews earns “Guardian of Small Business Award”

Milaca lawmaker especially helpful on pro-Main Street votes

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Minnesota announced the presentation of its Guardian of Small Business award to Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca) for his votes in support of small businesses in the Minnesota State Senate. With 10,000 members statewide, NFIB is Minnesota’s largest small-business group.

“The engine of Minnesota’s economy is our small business community,” said Senator Mathews. “From family farms to main street businesses, small business owners provide essential services and jobs in our communities. In St. Paul, I will continue to support policies that encourage economic growth and allow small businesses to succeed.”

Senator Mathews received a 100% rating from the group for his votes during the 2017-2018 sessions of the Minnesota Legislature, including support for:

  • New law which resulted in a significant small-business property tax reduction, reducing taxes for the smallest businesses by 20 percent to 30 percent
  • New law which resulted in a significant $1 million increase in the estate tax exemption that particularly benefits small family farms and family-owned resorts
  • New law that resulted in a desperately needed 25 percent reduction in health insurance premiums in 2017 for those on the individual market
  • Supported critical legislation that preempts local units of government from enacting minimum wages higher than the state’s, and from imposing other new mandates on local employers.

“Senator Mathews is a real friend of small business, and we are happy to announce that he has earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award,” concluded Mike Hickey, NFIB Minnesota state director.