We Have To Change The Business Climate Here In Minnesota

Senator Geoff Michel in a floor speech yesterday offered up the A50 amendment, saying "We can do tax cuts and the state senate should start it". He proposes boldly eliminating the high business taxes in his speech. A drastic measure? I say no, especially considering the stakes and the economic climate. Revenue can not possibly increase if businesses are cutting employees, shutting their doors and moving to Nevada, South Dakota and Texas.

His focuses are simple and few: Balance the Budget and Kick Start the Economy – Grow Jobs. Michel said "Let's send a message today that Minnesota is open for business." Thank you Senator. A state can not survive, let alone thrive on shopping and state run bureaucracies. How can we ease the burden on businesses in Minnesota?

He has put the gauntlet down for the DFL House: "I think this is an opportunity members to send a message to business and to send a message to the House...that the Minnesota State Senate is ready to grow jobs and that we are so ready to grow jobs, that will do it with the first bill we take up this year."

Today I was a part of a blogger conference call with Gary Gross, Andy Aplikowski, and Senator David Senjem who spoke about the GOP Senate’s interest in Michel’s vital proposal. Senjem noted that Minnesota has the 3rd highest business tax rate in the WORLD. And closer to home here in the US, The Tax Foundation's 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks Minnesota 41st, and The Tax Foundation ranks Minnesota as the 44th worst state in terms of business taxes. If you want to know who we are competing with for this infamous honor, here you go.

The ten worst states are:

    41. Minnesota      46. Rhode Island
    42. Nebraska       47. Ohio
    43. Vermont         48. California
    44. Iowa               49. New York
    45. Maryland        50. New Jersey

Senator Senjem said “If we’re going to have a future here we have to change the business climate here in Minnesota or soon we’ll be 40 below and no business. It really will be True North”

“As a caucus we will be really emphasising that our cards and the governor’s cards are on the table, now let’s see yours. But we probably won’t see them until May.”

Mr Pogemiller, Ms. Kelliher, The ball is in your court. Do you want Minnesota businesses to dry up and die, or to get a break, prosper and create jobs?