Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer received an award for his 100 percent legislative voting record in support of the agenda of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), but not a formal endorsement ... not yet, anyway.

Before behind handed the “Guardian of Small Business” award, Emmer, the state representative from Delano, met with and answered questions from about two dozen members of the Minnesota NFIB’s leadership council at the Capitol today.

During a half hour of Emmer talking points and answers to the assembled owners of small businesses, Emmer preached to the choir: Reduce government spending; reduce government regulations; eliminate regulatory redundancies of state and federal agencies; do away with the Metropolitan Council; limit taxes, limit mandates on small businesses and their owners.

According to Mike Hickey, the state NFIB representative and lobbyist, Emmer received an 81 percent favorable vote from more than 300 NFIB member businesses recently polled. About 11,000 businesses belong to the NFIB in the state. Hickey said an endorsement from NFIB of a gubernatorial candidate could be expected soon. Assume Emmer’s their guy.

Pressed by journalists after the session, Emmer said his long-awaited plan for the deficit-riddled state budget will be released next week. But he hinted it won’t come in one fell swoop, but rather will be rolled out in segments.

“We’ll start next week,” Emmer said of his plan to detail his plan for the state budget. “We’ll keep putting things out. ... We’re not going to peak on September first.”

In comments about businesses that vote with their feet and allegedly leave the state because of high taxes or regulations Emmer asserted in his presentation to the NFIB’s leaders that a major employer in Minnesota is “being courted” by France.

Later, when asked, he wouldn’t reveal what Minnesota company that is.