By Katie Johnson, AlbertLeaTribune.com

AUSTIN &8212; The 2008 legislative session could be deemed a success with the close of the $935 million budget gap, a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce official believes.

Bill Blazar, senior vice president of public affairs and business development who met with Austin officials Wednesday, said, however, he foresees it &8220;growing well over a billion dollars in the next session.&8221;

Blazar sees positive results from the session in transportation funding, blocking of increased statewide property taxes and health care.

&8220;Our mission is to represent the business community at the capitol,&8221; he said. &8220;Generally speaking, we came out pretty well.&8221;

When speaking with local Chambers and businesses throughout Minnesota, Blazar said a common theme was the lack of skilled employees in the workforce. He said the Chamber will push to address workforce development, &8220;largely in the K-12 system.&8221;

The override of Gov. Tim Pawlenty&8217;s veto on the transportation bill was a triumph, he said, because although infrastructure is costly, improved transit, roads and bridges will &8220;increase mobility&8221; with $6.6 billion in funding over 10 years.

On environmental issues, a study will be conducted to determine feasibility of reduction in CO2 emissions.

&8220;That&8217;s not free,&8221; Blazar said. &8220;It will make electricity more expensive, most assuredly.

Several health care measures adopted are a step toward increasing a functioning health care market, the Chamber said.

Starting in September 2010, consumers and purchasers will have access to information on providers&8217; cost and quality, and how that data compares to other providers. Plans will be requires to use the information to establish incentives for consumers to choose higher-quality, lower-cost providers.