Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) sent a letter [PDF] yesterday to the MN Chamber of Commerce and MN Business Partnership asking them to join the fight for equal marriage. Winkler makes an excellent point: a constitutional ban on marriage could actually harm these businesses’ recruitment. 

In Minnesota, 70% of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples and families. Nearly every company in Minnesota whose brand is well known offers these benefits, with a total of more than 290 Minnesota employers offering domestic partner benefits.

Minnesota’s economy relies on a talented, educated workforce. The ability to recruit individuals with these qualities is crucial for our state’s businesses. In the United States, more than twenty states and metropolitan jurisdictions that compete economically with Minnesota recognize same-sex couples and families, and fourteen offer full recognition of these families’ rights. Of course Minnesota’s businesses compete globally—and thirty nine countries offer full recognition of same-sex couples’s rights.

In this competitive environment, Minnesota businesses will be harmed if a prohibition on marriage equality is made part of our constitution. We write to request your leadership in stopping this misguided proposal. Minnesota’s business leaders have understandably weighed in on tax and regulation issues that affect competitiveness. Similarly, we ask that you send a strong message to the Legislature that the same-sex marriage amendment is bad for business.

My first thought: I wonder how Target will respond.