The state’s major small business group, the National Federation of Independent Business Minnesota, with close to 10,000 members, announced today that Senator Carla Nelson (Rochester) was awarded the prestigious NFIB Guardian of Small Business award.

NFIB gives out its Guardian of Small Business award at both the federal and state level to recognize lawmakers who have been supportive of small business on critical issues. Nelson’s award was based on votes she took during the 2019-2020 sessions of the Minnesota Legislature. She made many votes beneficial to small business including:

• A vote for a significant tax bill to help small business that finally conformed Minnesota to the critical section 179 expensing provision of federal tax law and also contained an income tax reduction and other positive changes.
• Voted for the continuation of Minnesota’s reinsurance plan for the individual health insurance market that saved the market back in 2017. The plan significantly reduced premiums for individuals that suffered huge increases due to the negative impact of Obamacare.
• Supported critical preemption legislation that prohibits local governments from raising minimum-wages higher than the state’s or enacting additional mandates on local businesses.

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