Establishes legislative agenda for the Council.  Establishes key relationships with Minnesota House, Senate, veterans affairs committee and Minnesota Congressional delegation to support Council mission to educate the public and Congress on the importance of our Sea Services to our nation’s defense. 

 Director Business Development.  Research, identify corporate entities to provide funding and support of Minnesota Council activities.   Corporate sponsors should be offered membership in the Navy League, and be identified on Minnesota Council Website.  Identify other non-profits that the Navy League should establish as partners for the elements that the Council will undertake (i.e., MACV, DAR, etc.)

We are now around 230 days out from the general election on November 5, 2024, and from a Navy League Legislative affairs viewpoint there are tremendous table stakes in play for the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Services.  As Navy Leaguer’s we are reminded weekly of the importance the sea services play in our success and security as a Nation.  With the coming budgets and the battle for the White House, 2024 will be one of the most important years in our democracy.

On the Minnesota level, all our representatives have been briefed on the top priorities for the various sea services.  Whether it is positioning our collective will and manufacturing capabilities to build a 350 ship Navy, ensuring our Coast Guard team members pay is not at risk with the battle over continuing budget resolutions, developing plans to support the Jones Act ensuring our merchant services are supported and engaged for the movement of goods around the world, and ensuring our Marines have the right equipment on hand when they engage to deliver the punch to foreign policy as necessary.

This coming April the Minnesota Council is hosting its first National level meeting, the Upper Midwest Conference in Minneapolis.  The conference being held April 19-20 will involve a Friday meet up with members from the Minnesota legislature as well as time with Governor Walz.  Also planned is a visit on the history and future placement of the USS Ward Gun currently installed  on the Mall at the St. Paul Capitol and a visit to the Minnesota History Museum to see the tribute to the “Greatest Generation” on  display. Capping the evening off will be an outing to the Minnesota Twins – Detroit Tigers game at Target Field. 

Saturday April 20, we will have a wide range of topics addressed by Minnesota Council members, National attendees, and special guest speakers.  We will cover how Councils can plan for the future, develop strategic plans, position members for succession planning to leadership roles, as well as hear a timely session on the role of the Navy in global security and the defense of our interests in the chaotic time we live in.  We’ll cover what the impacts are involving China in the Straits of Taiwan, the pressures on Israel in the Gaza strip, and the ongoing needs of Ukraine to defend their borders from the brutal dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian onslaught.

 Finally, below are two good links to review for additional information on the 2024/2025 Defense budget broken down by Admiral Jamie Fogge from the Center for Maritime Strategy.  He does a phenomenal job of putting things in perspective when it comes to the Budget to fund the Navy:  Breaking down the Defense Budget and what it means

 Also noted is a sound piece on what the United States needs to do to contain the authoritarian positions of nations who are out to disrupt world order and security, namely Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia and what the United States needs to do, what they truly must do, to protect all of us from the destructive forces in play: Authoritarians are setting the stage for global security standoff

 As always, your engagement with your legislator is the single most important thing you can do to get in their ear and weigh in on the importance in cutting through the red tape, partisan politics, and woeful pace of getting the Nations business done.  Believe me nothing gets their attention like an email, a letter or a phone call to the office leaning in on them as a “voter in their district”