Fighting Crippling Policies: Steve Barthel on Laws That Drive Up Prices and Inflation

On this episode of American Potential , guest host Heather Andrews speaks with Steve Barthel, Government and Community Relations Manager for the Minnesota Grocer Association, about the damaging effects of misguided policies that drive up costs for businesses and consumers. Steve exposes how a flood of new regulations in Minnesota—including labor mandates, energy policies, and proposed fuel standards—are creating a perfect storm of rising costs and inflation that hit grocery store shelves and wallets the hardest. Hear firsthand how overreach from lawmakers, fueled by an $18 billion surplus, is threatening Minnesota businesses and families. With narrow profit margins, grocers and other small businesses are bearing the brunt of poorly thought-out laws while politicians point fingers at so-called "price gouging." Steve also highlights how a coalition of unlikely allies came together to defeat the Clean Transportation Standard Act, a proposal that would have worsened the affordability crisis. If you’re tired of government policies that squeeze small businesses, drive inflation, and make life harder for everyday Americans, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to push back.