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State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
E-mail update
Gov. stresses jobs during State of the State
Neighbor-
We had the honor of hosting Governor Tim Pawlenty in the House chamber today, where he issued his annual State of the State Address. The governor will not seek re-election, so this was his final State of the State.
Pawlenty's speech focused on the state economy/budget and helping Minnesotans get back to work. He detailed a six-part proposal to spur entrepreneurship and job growth. Details of his proposal and more information from his speech are below in a news release issued by the governor's office.
Sincerely,
Paul
GOVERNOR PAWLENTY FOCUSES ON ‘TRUE SOURCE’ OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
~ Governor says Minnesota’s quality of life depends on good jobs for our citizens ~
Saint Paul – In his final State of the State Address, Governor Tim
Pawlenty said state government needs to listen to job creators about
what needs to be done to grow good, private sector jobs in Minnesota.
The Governor also implored legislators to reduce government spending,
cut taxes on job providers, and reform the state’s budget process.
“The most important question before us is this: how do we best grow
good, private sector jobs in Minnesota?” Governor Pawlenty said in the
speech. “The people who can best answer that question aren’t in
this room. They’re not in Congress. They’re not in the White
House. They’re not in bureaucracies. In fact, they’re usually not
in government or politics at all. The people who best know how to
create jobs, are the people who have actually done it.”
Governor Pawlenty said job providers are sending a clear message to
government: “Get out of our way. Leave us alone. Make it easier, not
harder.”
The Governor outlined a six-part package of tax cuts and incentives,
called the “Jobs Creation Bill,” to spur entrepreneurship and job
growth. The package includes:
? 20 percent reduction in the corporate tax rate
? 20 percent exclusion from taxation for small businesses
? “Angel Investment Tax Credit” to provide incentives for
investment in early-stage companies
? Supercharged Research and Development Tax Credit
? Capital gains exemption for qualifying investments
? Incentives for companies to invest in Minnesota small businesses
In addition, Governor Pawlenty called on the legislature to extend the
benefits of the state’s JOBZ tax-free development zones, which are
scheduled to expire in 2015, and create a new CARZ initiative to provide
similar tax incentives at the Ford plant in St. Paul, which is set to
close in the next couple years.
Governor Pawlenty also highlighted the need to reform the state’s
budget process. He renewed his call for a “Spending Accountability
Amendment” to the Minnesota Constitution that would cap state spending
at the level of revenue actually received during the previous budget
period.
“We should spend only what we have, not what we hope to have,”
Governor Pawlenty said. “That’s a common sense approach understood
at every kitchen table in Minnesota.”
Governor Pawlenty asked the legislature to enact the unallotments he
made in July 2009 in order to bring certainty and stability to the state
budget. The Governor’s recommendations for dealing with the existing
$1.2 billion deficit will be released on Monday.
Governor Pawlenty outlined several other initiatives in his speech,
including:
? Holding the line on government spending at all levels –
Governor Pawlenty called on the legislature to make the current property
tax caps, which expire after next year, permanent.
? Increasing education accountability – Governor Pawlenty called
on the legislature to pass his plan to give mayors the mayors of
Minneapolis and St. Paul accountability and full control of their local
school districts. Short of that, he directed the Department of
Education to use existing authority to create an Office of Turnaround
Schools that will have the ability to implement new leadership and
hiring practices at failing schools.
? Improving teacher quality, recruitment, and training – The
Governor called on the legislature to pass the “Teaching
Transformation Act” in order to help recruit the best and brightest
into the teaching profession, improve teacher training in college,
provide a more supportive working environment for teachers, and
implement a 21st century compensation system linked to performance.
? Reforming teacher tenure – Governor Pawlenty called for
teacher tenure to be renewed every five years and based on evaluations
linked to student performance.
? Providing additional choice and affordability in health care –
Governor Pawlenty asked the legislature to pass his plan to allow
Minnesotans to purchase health insurance across state lines. He also
called for reforming state government-subsidized health programs to
require that they include incentives to reduce costs and improve
quality.
? Enhancing public safety – Governor Pawlenty asked the
legislature to pass his “If You Don’t Breathe, You Don’t Leave”
plan to crack down on drunk drivers and his proposal to more than double
sentences for sex offenders.
? Streamlining Minnesota’s permitting process – Under the
Pawlenty Administration, the wait time for water permits has already
been cut in half. On Monday, the Governor directed state agencies to
further improve permitting.
? Improving the democratic process – Governor Pawlenty said the
legislature should ensure members of the military can vote on-time and
establish a fair redistricting process.
Governor Pawlenty also highlighted the St. Sauver family of Pierz,
Minnesota. All six St. Sauvers serve the military – father Lt. Col.
Steve St. Sauver is currently in Iraq leading the Minnesota National
Guard 151 Field Artillery Battalion, mother Deb works at the Camp Ripley
Family Assistance Center, and children Chris, Anthony, Blake, and Ashley
all followed their father’s footsteps and enlisted in the National
Guard.
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