Minneapolis Breakfast Club

Working as a State Legislator!

Early Birds: Early birds today were Todd Anderson, Erik Schindler, and Jim Erickson

Call to Order: Jon Peterson called the meeting to order.

Honorary Members: Karen Holtmeier and Dick Nelson were in attendance today.

Guests: Jim Erickson brought his son, Mark Erickson, Tom Devine (past Regent of UofM), and David Senness. In addition, he brought three craft speakers for the day.

Announcements

  1. We need a President, Vice President, and Board members for the club starting in the July thru December 2022 term. Interested? Contact Past President Jon Peterson.
  2. 2022 Craft Talk dates are available. Sign up with Craig Blixrud.
  3. 2022 Rosters are available to be picked up.
  4. Please bring a friend to a craft talk.

Business Networking: None today.

Business Exchange:  Jon Peterson and Craig Blixrud had something to share.

Pot of Gold: Jon Peterson drew 5 cards, and the big winner was Karen Holtmeier who left an IOU in the pot

Craft Talk: 

Craig Blixrud introduced our craft speaker, Jim Erickson of the Solomon Strategies group. 

Jim was born and raised in Council Bluff, IA and came to Minnesota to study at St Olaf College, followed by Law School at the University of Minnesota. He has spent almost all of his career as a registered lobbyist at the State Capitol.

Jim is married to Joy and considers Minneapolis his hometown. They have two children and 7 grandchildren.

Since joining the Breakfast Club and serving as President, He has introduced us to the Minneapolis Aquatennial, Hemp Farming, Bitcoins, NFT and a host of other topics.

Today Jim and his partner, John Quincy invited Jim Abeler, State Senator from District 35, Emma Greenman, State Rep from District 63B, and John Huot, State Rep from District 57B to participate in a working session of a conference committee.

Each of the legislators gave an overview of the areas of the budget they were focused on and then we had each table look at the issues. A fun exercise and of course we got off topic as is usual. 

Thanks to Jim for a real look at how conference committees work.

Registration by email, text, or call to Jim Erickson at 612-325-3009 or jim@solomonssg.com.

Looking ahead

May 18 Washburn-McReavy @ECC

May 25 Marketing the Breakfast Club, part 2@ECC

June 2 Rudin and Rubin of WellsFargo Financial Advisors @ECC