The state’s major small business group, the National Federation of Independent Business Minnesota, with close to 10,000 members, announced today that Senator Carrie Ruud (Breezy Point) 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. Ruud’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 Ruud 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.