Communication is the first step to understanding
Chair's Message
Eric O'Link | August/September 2025 Footnote
Editor's note: Updated July 24, 2025
When I sat down to write this Chair’s Message, recent tragic events in Minnesota were top of mind.
Like so many other Minnesotans, I was shocked by the news of the June 14 attacks on Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman and their spouses. Not only was this a horrific event, but it also felt personal. Like me, Sen. Hoffman lives in Champlin. He’s my state senator; I spent almost half an hour chatting with him in his office during CPA Day at the Capitol in February. Like other MNCPA members, I was there to ask for support for the MNCPA’s legislative priorities.
CPA Day was an opportunity to do a little bit of lobbying on behalf of Minnesota CPAs, but it also served as a reminder that our elected officials are people. When I visited Sen. Hoffman, I learned that constituents are welcome at his office anytime, which explained the retired gentleman who was enjoying coffee and conversation in the senator’s office and who joined our meeting. It is unfathomable to me that anyone would want to attack Sen. Hoffman, or anyone else for that matter, regardless of their political views.
Because of my involvement with the MNCPA, I’ve met several politicians this year. During the AICPA Spring Council meeting in Washington, D.C., our Minnesota delegation met with staffers for all our national representatives to discuss issues and legislation important to CPAs. A group of us met Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Michelle Fischbach.
None of the people I met — whether the politicians themselves or their staffers — were as one-dimensional as is often portrayed in social media and on cable TV. Reality is a lot more nuanced. They have varying views on varied issues. They have a sense of humor. Even those famous party-line votes don’t tell you much, because I learned that various politicians supported measures in some pending bills, even if they did not plan to vote for the larger bill.
I share this to encourage you to connect with the offices of your elected officials. As CPAs, we often have the reputation of being “the smartest people in the room.” Others look to us for our expertise and our opinions. I think I can speak for all of us when I say I hope June’s heinous attack on Minnesota politicians is the last of its kind. One of the ways we can work toward a better tomorrow is through communication with those who represent us in government. We may enlighten them; they may teach us something. We may not always agree, but communication is the first step to understanding, and understanding is a path out of a toxic political climate.
The MNCPA has resources to help you connect with your government officials. Reach out to Geno Fragnito, MNCPA government relations director, at
govrelations@mncpa.org if you have questions or want to get involved.
Sincerely,
Eric O'Link
Chair, MNCPA board of directors
boardchair@mncpa.org
