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photo by Sarah Stultz
House District 25A Rep. Laura Brod speaks during a rally on the Freeborn County Government Center lawn Wednesday morning. Brod, R-New Prague, requested Gov. Tim Pawlenty veto any tax bill that eliminates existing JOBZ provisions.
Rally: Don’t cut JOBZ
Metro politicians eyeing rural growth measure
Published Thursday, May 7, 2009
About 25 area residents gathered on the Freeborn County Courthouse lawn Wednesday to publicly request that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty veto any tax bill eliminating existing Job Opportunity Building Zones provisions.
During what was dubbed a “Do-over Rally,” House District 25A Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, and Matt Benda, a local Republican, talked of the importance of the JOBZ program in Greater Minnesota and especially in Albert Lea. They also spoke of other areas in the House and Senate tax bills that they think need to be reworked.
Benda said during the last few months, he’s been following what’s happening in St. Paul with the tax bills in both the House and Senate. He started asking questions but kept getting the same answer that the governor would take care of it. He was told there was nothing else he could do.
This motivated him to organize the rally, he said. He noted he invited Brod because she is the highest-ranking Republican on the House Tax Committee, who has often spoken in favor of the JOBZ program.
Photo by Sarah Stultz
Minnesota House District 25A Rep. Laura Brod chats with former District 27A House candidates Matt Benda and Erik Larsen before the rally Tuesday morning.
JOBZ, passed into law by the 2003 Legislature, was launched on Jan. 1, 2004, as a rural economic development program. The goal is to spur economic development activity in rural Minnesota by providing local and state tax exemptions to companies looking to settle in outstate Minnesota.
Though several counties, such as Freeborn County, have been successful because of it, not all lawmakers have been in favor of the program. Some metro lawmakers have proposed it be on the chopping block.
Brod said many Democrats are proposing a revocation of contracts with businesses already in the program, which is something she does not support.
“What kind of message does that send to businesses who want to relocate to Minnesota?” she said.
“Businesses are about jobs, about individuals, about creating strong families in our communities.”
Benda said $50 million in capital investments has been made in Freeborn County as a result of the JOBZ program, and 40 percent of new construction in the county has come from JOBZ projects.
Freeborn County has been one of the leading counties in Minnesota for creating jobs using JOBZ and so far has created more than 600 local jobs in connection with the program.
Photo by Sarah Stultz
Albert Lean Matt Benda, left, speaks during what was termed as a "Do-over Rally" with House Rep. Laura Brod Wednesday morning.
Brod said she would not agree to anything that repeals the JOBZ program.
District 27A Rep. Robin Brown, DFL-Moscow Township, said she had an amendment on the House floor to remove any changes to JOBZ. She spoke with the Tribune later.
“I understand how very important JOBZ is especially to Freeborn County,” Brown said. “We’ve benefited greatly, especially in light of the Farmland fire and trying to bring back jobs.”
When it came down to the vote of the whole tax bill, however, JOBZ was only a small portion of the 230-some page bill, she said.
“It’s pretty easy to cast a no vote on a bill based on just one portion of that bill, but the omnibus tax bill was over 230-pages long and was multifaceted,” Brown said. “When I looked at that final bill, I looked at that in comparison to the governor’s plan. I looked for benefits. In the governor’s plan, he cut LGA much more deeply than the House plan did.”
She said she supported the House bill because it was fairer on cuts to LGA to cities such as Albert Lea than the governor was. It also had other provisions to support Albert Lea’s hospital, nursing homes and schools, along with provisions for a wind energy production tax that will help keep some of that money local and other areas to help create a better balance for taxes for all people.
“To single out JOBZ as the one reason why you’d vote against it, I think that’s oversimplifying it,” she added.
Regarding other areas of the proposed tax bills, Benda said he wanted to point out that 85 percent of taxpayers will be effected by some of the proposed changes, whether that’s through actions such as eliminating property tax deductions, charitable tax deductions, child care deductions or education tax deductions.
He also talked of the proposed fourth-tier for income taxes, which would effect people in Albert Lea, he said.
Brod added 68 percent of the people in the top income bracket in the state are business owners.
She believes in these people, who are innovators and risk takers.
Brod said the economic deficit is not just affecting federal, state and local governments; it’s affecting families and businesses in communities, too.
On the other hand, Brown said she thinks creating the fourth-tier will create more tax fairness to the system.
“I don’t see that as a negative, especially when you consider we’re talking about couples who make $300,000 or more,” she said.
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Comments
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sham, and shame on the politicians who support this wasteful program. Dan Dorman out right lied to all of us when he presented this sham. Many in economics said from the start of JOBZ that a town the size of A.L. would never be able to recover the lost tax revenue through the new jobs created, but why didn't we hear this from Dorman? It is being said now that every job created costs tax payers 10,000 dollars in lost tax revenue. How is that considered successful? What it has done is allow politicians like Dorman to say they have created jobs, but who couldn't create tax payer subsidized jobs? Dorman told us that the revenue raised from the new jobs would equel, or exceed the lost tax revenue, then he preceeded to put in the bill a clause that wont allow citizens the opportunity to see exactly how much the program costs. And this is our leader in economic developement? Dorman, if you have one honest bone in your body, and I doubt that you do, tell us all how much money we are losing. Like I have said before, I don't care how many jobs are created, if it costs the tax payer money, it is a failure. JOBZ was a business bailout before we had one on a national scale. Again, Dorman, prove to us, show us all the numbers, show us all that JOBZ doesn't cost tax payers 10,000 dollars per job created. Only in politics and Dan Dormans economic mind could such a program be considered a success. JOBZ equals a huge failure, as does Dorman as our economic guru.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, JOBZ and Dorman has not created one single job. All they have done is BUY jobs, with our tax money, period. Only in politics could a program that costs us money be considered a success. And wow, 25 people, LOL, that is just a tidal wave of local support, LMAO! Isn't that about the same number of people that voted for Benda? LMAO!
Posted by alhs1975 (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And the Governor says we should all feel the pain of cuts. Why shouldn't the incredibly inefficient and wasteful business welfare program called JOBZ, too?
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL, I have an investment proposition for you alhs1975. Of course you wont make any money, as a matter of fact it will cost you, but it is a succesful investment. Are you in? LMAO! Let me ask you all this. If Dorman and Benda had the info that buying these jobs was a financial success and benificial to tax payers, don't you think we would have that info? Politicians don't keep any good news a secret. If JOBZ was even breaking even with our tax dollars, we would all know about it, Dorman would have made the info available instead of creating legislation that by law keeps that info a secret. If the revenue from the jobs that Dorman has bought with our tax money (JOBZ)does not exceed the lost tax revenue, who exactly would call that a success? Other than Dorman and Benda, and O'yeah, 25 other people, LMAO! JOBZ is a dismal failure. Dorman, come on here and prove otherwise, show us what the numbers are.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Never mind, I did forget, Dorman made it law that we aren't allowed to see how much of our tax money has been lost to his job buying scam. Isn't Bernie Maddoff going to prison for investments like this? Taking money from investers (tax payers) giving it to others and claiming there is a big return, even when all the numbers say otherwise? Dorman and Benda would make me laugh it wasn't so disgusting what they have, and want to do with our tax money.
Posted by Jake (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just typical politics and it's ridiculous. I heard yesterday that the "Dem's are trying to eliminate the JOBZ program" from a very staunch republican. Laura Brod & Matt Benda play into that hand by making it sound as though that program is on the chopping block all by itself. Thank you Robin Brown for at least clarifying that this is part of a 230 PAGE BILL, and actually trying to do something about it by proposing an amendment (rather than running around to cities trying to stick the blame on the other party). I'm not saying this is a republican thing or a democrat thing because they both do it. It's dirty politics and it makes me sick.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jake, I agree. But look at the people in the back ground of the picture, it was a republican photo opportunity. And to Benda, you talk about what was it? 50 million in capital investments? How much of that 50 million are we collecting taxes on? This reminds me of the Married With Children episode, the one where Peggy becomes an Avon lady, when the commission checks of 200 dollars start coming in Peggy says she is making 200 dollars. But come to find out, she is the only customer, and is spending 400 dollars to get a 200 dollar commission. Sadly, the republicans that were posing for that picture remind me of Peg Bundy, they are using Peg Bundy economics to justify a failed program that they have endorsed. This is more about politicians covering their own butts, and that of their party than it is wisely investing tax payers money.
Posted by NOGOP (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"It's dirty politics and it makes me sick."
Well said Jake
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I challenge Matt Benda to come on this site, and tell the people that the JOBZ program isn't costing the tax payers of A.L. money. Come on Matt, I know you have been told about this discussion. Come on here and tell us all that the tax revenue generated from the jobs that JOBZ has bought, has surpased the estimated taxes that we have lost to JOBZ. Employers were on Region 6 talking about this, and said that without it, he would have to cut the jobs that we as tax payers have already bought. How is that economic developement? When the money, our money runs out, the jobs are gone. That's our tax money subsidizing jobs, not creating them. Come on Matt, where are you and your 25 loyal neocons?
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry about the posts, but I was just thinking about the Tribune pictures of the million man march, LMAO, I mean the JOBZ rally, LOL. Take a look at them, all I see are a bunch of people that have lost elections over the past few years. These are people who have already had their ideas shot down by local voters, yet we should listen to Matt Benda because he can muster 25 people to agree with him, LMAO!
Posted by 1961 (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great jobz! do you really think dan or matt will come out of hiding?
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No I don't, because they know if they come on here and say that JOBZ isn't costing the tax payers 10,000 dollars per job bought, that they will be liars. Plus, this isn't the atmosphere that they like to enjoy, the wish to be surrounded by their 25 supporters, LMAO, its where most politicians feel comfortable, in front of a staged protest full of their own supporters, LOL. Benda doesn't have the brains or the guts to come on here and defend a program he knows is costing us money.
Posted by 1961 (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To: mrs, 1975, jake and nogop, great jobzzz. great posts!!!
Posted by 1961 (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How soon will comments be disabled?
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 7, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL @ 1961. I personnally have a lot of respect for Tim and Scott at the Tribune. I hope that comments aren't disabled on this issue and would be dissapointed in them if they were. Benda had his news conference and rally, LOL, is 25 people, the majority of them losers in past elections, even considered a rally, so let the people speak here. Come on Matt, come defend JOBZ and the money it loses.
Posted by 1961 (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No direspect intended. just waiting for the political hammer to fall.
Posted by MaBarker (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most people get fired for not showing up to work. The House is in session. Rep. Brod's seat is empty. Nice representation.
Who is paying for her trip here? Why isn't she on the House floor fighting for her own district? She needs to reimburse the state for a days wages.
Posted by allake (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/jou...
Looks like the House was in session and the recessed. I wish there were time stamps on the journal it would give us a better idea of how the day went. But it looks like Ms. Brod was on the floor for at least the first 3 votes. But interestingly enough, the Speaker of the House was not.
MaBarker, should the Speaker reimburse the state as well?
Look folks, it's easy to point out the flaws in "the other side" but they all do it. I hope you call it both ways.
Just look at the posts here. Mike believes JOBZ to be an evil tool of Dorman and the Republicans and Jake points out the Rep. Brown tried to save the program.
And we have a new poster who calls people out while hiding behind a screen name. Not that I have a problem with that, but then I am not calling anyone out. Mike at least posts his name before calling people out.
Posted by awooduck (Mike Lee) on May 7, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure is funny how when the local GOP take’s a hit on there favorite corporate welfare program how they whine. Why should I have to have my taxes go through the roof so some millionaire doesn’t have to pay his fair share?
Posted by hotrod (anonymous) on May 7, 2009 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Look who is calling the kettle black allake and what was your name and address oh a phone number would be good too
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 8, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allake, nice post, you make some very fine points. BY the way, I dont think JOBZ is the evil tool of Dorman, I do think JOBZ is a waste of our tax payers money though. It just so happenens that it is supported by Dorman, Benda, and the rest of the out of touch republicans. Believe me, if it were supported and promoted as a successful program by local dems, my posts would not be any different, just would calling different people out. JOBZ isn't about politics, its about one party sticking with a costly, worthless program that is costing us money, but yet, because it is their baby, they still refuse to tell the truth and continue to support it. By the way, Benda, by not having the guts or the brains to come on here and defend it, showed me exactly what kind of a man he is, or might I say, lack of a man. I knew he wouldn't come into hostile terroritory. He likes those nicely organized rallies, LOL, sorry, it still makes me laugh when I think of him actually getting 25 people at his rally. Maybe he is planning another unsuccessful run for office, he is all to familiar with the word unsuccessful. (JOBZ)
Posted by newyankee (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think JOBZ is no different than windmills or ethanol or LGA and maybe even Welfare.
Posted by allake (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Awoodduck,
If the program is so bad, why did Brown try to save it? Maybe I missed your post taking her to task?
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 8, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is the same as corperate welfare. Amazing isn't it that the same party, the same individuals, that whine and moan about welfare and social programs for the poor, are the very same ones that support JOBZ? It comes down to who represents the people, and who reprersents business. Now I admit, I am not a small business owner, but if I were, my suggestion for economic developement would be, make sure the people, my customers, have money in their pocket. Thats the only way we create jobs that will stay. JOBZ is nothing but the same failed trickle down economics, give to the guys at the top and they say watch it make its way down. Bull, that has and will never work. I would also like to know if, and how much some of the companies that are taking advantage of JOBZ has donated to the same republicans we saw at Benda's rally, LMAO, sorry, that 25 people thing is just so funny. Keep up the good work Benda, you, like Palin and Bachmann are the greatest gift the demacrats could ever hope for, LMAO! 25 people, LOL, that is just amazing.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 8, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry allake, you are right, but Brown is also wrong. She is looking at getting elected again. Benda and his republican cronies will say that if you are against JOBZ that you are anti growth, and anti jobs creation. Brown is to weak to stand up to them, so she caves and supports the same failed program. The challenge goes out to Benda, Dorman, Brown, or any of the losers of past elections that were pictured with Benda at his 25 person rally. Come on here and prove to us all, that JOBZ is not costing the tax payers money. Robin Brown, come on here and prove that JOBZ is not costing 10,000 dollars per job bought. Again, Brown is no different, she will take credit for buying the jobs, but will not tell the truth about the cost.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 8, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me ask you all this question. How many would consider JOBZ a success, solely on the jobs bought (created)?
Now how many would have to take into consideration the cost, before deciding if it was a success? In other words, if it is costing 10,000 dollars per job bought, is it a successful jobs creation program?
Posted by SunMan (anonymous) on May 8, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
newyankee: Welfare? Please... do not start criticizing the agricultural "support" (a.k.a. subsidies/welfare/whatever) programs.
We NEED them around here!
America is the land of equal opportunity as long as I get mine first and cut last.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 9, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just as I thought, no Benda, no Dorman, no Brown, not one republican has the guts to come on here and defend their failed JOBZ program. This is the part of politics that I despise. Benda would rather continue waisting our tax money on a failed program, rather than admit that they were wrong in the first place. How many other programs on a state or national level that dont work, are we still paying for simply because our so-called leaders cant say "I was wrong" Benda, Dorman, Brown, please come here and tell us all how wonderful JOBZ is, unless you finally have found the courage to stop being a bunch of liars.
Posted by MRSimmons (Mike Simmons) on May 9, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Benda, you are exactly the kind of politician that we can do without, you are a disgrace to all americans, and a total joke of a man!
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