Earlier this year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced the creation by executive order of the &8220;21st Century Tax Reform Commission,&8221; which is being tasked with proposing a new state tax code. Pawlenty calls the state&8217;s current tax code outdated, and the purpose of the commission is to create a more attractive and competitive business climate in Minnesota.

The idea is a good one, but with the announcement of the commission&8217;s 15 members Wednesday, it&8217;s clear there are some flaws.

While some may dislike the noted business slant of the commission &8212; most are vice presidents, directors and CEOs of some of the state&8217;s largest companies &8212; that fulfills the governor&8217;s intentions. The largest flaw is that the make-up of the commission is decidedly metro-centric.

Of the 15 members, only two are from outside the Twin Cities area, and both are from northern Minnesota. A CPA from Duluth and a bank president from Thief River Falls are the only outstate voices on the commission. None of the members has any direct involvement with agriculture.

There are some smart people on the commission &8212; a former state senator, an associate professor of finance, four accountants &8212; but the make-up of the commission could lead to a neglect of southern Minnesota needs. Entrepreneurs starting industry along the Iowa border may have different views on taxation than those competing with Wisconsin and Canada &8212; and certainly any tax commission that claims to represent the best interests of all Minnesotans should have at least one voice for agriculture on it.

It&8217;s an oversight that could be a detriment to the work the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission has been asked to do.

&8212; Austin Daily Herald, April 24