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 “growing well over a billion dollars in the next session.”

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

“Our mission is to represent the business community at the capitol,” he said. “Generally speaking, we came out pretty well.”

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, “largely in the K-12 system.”

The override of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto on the transportation bill was a triumph, he said, because although infrastructure is costly, improved transit, roads and bridges will “increase mobility” 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.

“That’s not free,” Blazar said. “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’ 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.

“The session could have been a heck of a lot worse,” Blazar concluded.