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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE COMMERCE CHAIR ANNOUNCES PLAN TO ADDRESS NWA SALE TO DELTA
ST. PAUL - State Representative Joe Atkins, who chairs the House Commerce and Labor Committee, introduced legislation today to address the economic impact of a sale of Northwest Airlines to Delta. Atkins' bill would require NWA to live up to its agreements with the State of Minnesota, under which the State and the Metropolitan Airports Commission provided $445 million in loans and concessions in exchange for NWA's agreement to keep its headquarters, a hub and thousands of jobs in Minnesota. In the event NWA breaches its agreements, Atkins' bill would require NWA to pay back all the money it owes to the state. Atkins' bill would also require NWA to pay the additional, consequential damages that would normally be required from the party who breaches a contract. These damages could exceed $1 billion.
"Northwest Airlines might be on the next flight to Georgia, but that doesn't mean it can run away from the contracts it entered into with the State of Minnesota," said Rep. Atkins. "The State didn't just give NWA a gift of a half billion dollars - we got something in return, namely a headquarters, a hub, and thousands of jobs. If NWA breaches that contract, it should be responsible for payment of damages just like any other business that breaches a contract."
Atkins and the House Commerce and Labor Committee will begin hearings on Friday, April 25, to examine the NWA sale, the impact on Minnesota, and to officially begin the process of collecting what is owed to the state in the event of a breach of contract by NWA.
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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