MN House GOP: Put Minnesotans Back to Work!

St. Paul, MN – Representative Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) made a motion today to suspend House rules and immediately pass jobs legislation to thaw the pandemic of uncertainty plaguing job providers throughout Minnesota.  HF 363 would gradually phase-out Minnesota’s corporate income tax, working to attract new businesses and reward existing businesses for staying in Minnesota.  House Democrats voted down the motion.

“Since adjourning the rhetoric out of the legislature has created a damper on job creators,” said Buesgens. “It has led to the paralysis of job creators and helped create a $1.2 billion hole in our budget.”

“It is necessary to show that we value our businesses in the state of Minnesota, to tell them we need them and want them to grow,” said Buesgens. He described the bill as “the right and bipartisan thing to do.”

HF 363 phases-out the corporate tax rate by one percent annually and Alternative Minimum Tax at the same rate. This would provide much needed relief to area businesses hit hard by the economic downturn and encourage expansion, providing more jobs for Minnesotans.

“We are looking to create a business-friendly environment in Minnesota that would help bring in new jobs,” said Buesgens. “Employers have had to play things close to the vest and not expand because the climate is so uncertain. This bill would be a step in the right direction.”

Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) seconded the motion and felt the ideas laid out in the bill were something both parties could come together on.

“They are not Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative; they are pro-business, pro-growth and pro-jobs,” he said. “Let’s put more Minnesotans back to work.”

Rep. Laura Brod (R-New Prague) also voiced her support for Buesgens’ motion.

“We want to make sure we are moving toward prosperity,” she said. “We aren’t looking for work because of government spending, but work created by job creators that stands the test of time.”

The government needs to take a step back and reduce the tax burden on businesses in this state. Employers are cautious and not bringing on new employees because the climate is so uncertain. Rep. Buesgens believes this bill would help change that.

“A billion dollar borrowing bill that creates short-term jobs is not the answer to all our problems,” he said. “We need private sector job expansion, not further government intervention.”

Watch video of House Republican Minority Leader Kurt Zellers speaking on behalf of the jobs bill:

Listen to audio from members' floor speeches:

Rep. Dean Urdahl 

Rep. Laura Brod

Rep. Steve Gottwalt