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State Representative Carly Melin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0172
For more information contact: Charlie Vander Aarde 651-297-8406
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MELIN BLASTS DOUGLAS E. JOHNSON FUND RAID BY GOP
(ST. PAUL) – State Representative Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing) responded today to a Republican plan that aims to take $60 million from the Douglas E. Johnson Economic Protection Trust Fund at the IRRRB.
“The Douglas E. Johnson Economic Protection Trust Fund is dedicated to local economic development," explained Melin. “Responsible management and use of the Fund protects the local economy and ensures our region stays strong.”
Revenue for the Fund comes from mining companies on the Iron Range who pay a production tax in lieu of a property tax. The Republican proposal would take $60 million from the Fund. “Jobs and Economic Development Chairman Bob Gunther reassured my Hibbing constituents just two weeks ago that the Fund would remain protected. He recognized that it is essentially local property tax money and that he would not raid it.”
Representative Melin noted that there is a long history of attempts to raid the funds for non-dedicated purposes. “Having spent my entire life on the Range, I have seen repeated attempts to steal our economic development money and use it to plug budget holes that legislators in St. Paul have created,” said Melin. “I won’t stand for it. This proposal continues the Republican agenda of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I guess when Republicans preach shared sacrifice in balancing Minnesota’s budget, what they actually mean is taking $60 million of our regional money to protect tax breaks for Minnesota’s wealthiest 5%.”
Melin noted that IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich will testify in the House Jobs and Economic Development committee on Tuesday, March 22 on the proposal. “Legislators need to respect what the Economic Protection Trust Fund means for my region of the state. This is local money that we invest locally.” said Melin. “Every few years when a proposal like this appears, the Range delegation has to do some teaching. I look forward to working with Commissioner Sertich on reeducating my House colleagues.”
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News Items
- STATE REP. CARLY MELIN APPOINTED TO KEY HOUSE COMMITTEES NAMED VICE-CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 20 2012 12:00AM)
- MELIN: STATE DISASTER RELIEF IS ON THE WAY - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
- REPRESENTATIVE MELIN AND SENATOR TOMASSONI SECURE CENTRAL IRON RANGE SANITARY SEWER DISTRICT GRANT - (Posted: 2012-07-31 00:00:00)
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