Emmer nabs big biz endorsement

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer won the endorsement of the political arm of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

"Tom Emmer is the candidate who best meets our criteria and will make an outstanding governor," said Steve McCulloch, a member of the Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund Political Action Committee. "Emmer is the candidate who best represents the Minnesota Chamber's pro-business, pro-jobs agenda and is most electable. His message will resonate with all Minnesotans, because it's common-sense, especially during a challenging economy."

The Chamber's board interviewed Emmer and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner, who has long ties to the business community and several chamber board members. DFLer Mark Dayton declined to be interviewed by the group.

The political group looked favorably on Emmer's plan to balance the state budget by essentially holding state spending flat and delaying repaying money the state owes K-12 schools until at least 2014.

"Minnesota businesses must set priorities when times are bad – they expect the same from their state government," McCulloch said in a statement. "Minnesota has about $33 billion to spend over the next two years. Rep. Emmer's approach to budgeting ensures that those dollars will go where they will support the greatest economic growth in both the short and long run. This is not the time to increase state tax burdens."

The group's board saved its harshest words for Dayton.

"Minnesota cannot afford a Mark Dayton administration," McCulloch said. "The business community is unified in stopping his agenda of tax increases that would put all businesses at a disadvantage in today's global marketplace and, as a result, cripple Minnesota's economy just when a shot in the arm is needed."