Emmer releases job-creation proposal

Standing in a small manufacturing plant in Burnsville, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer unveiled a plan to revitalize the economy through business tax cuts and breaks to spur investment in new businesses.

Emmer held a Labor Day news conference to showcase his job-creation package, the first of a three-part rollout of his budget-balancing proposal. While Emmer's two rivals have already released complete budget-balancing plans, voters won't see what are likely to be the most controversial aspects of his plan for a couple weeks.

Emmer's proposal did nothing to wrestle down the projected $6 billion shortfall, instead adding another $626 million in red ink. He also offered no guarantees about the number jobs his plan would create.

"The biggest problem we face is not that government has a budget deficit, but that Minnesota has a jobs deficit," Emmer said at Permac Industries, which makes parts for medical device manufacturers and other industries.

Emmer's proposal includes:

- Cut the corporate franchise tax rate of 9.8 percent by one percent each year until 2012 and then further reductions to 3 percent by 2015. Emmer's goal is to eventually repeal the tax. The proposal would save businesses $368 million in 2012–13.

- Allow businesses to subtract 10 percent of their pass-through income, saving them $158 million through 2013. Emmer wants to increase the subtraction to 20 percent in later years.

- Expand research and development tax credit and the angel investor tax credit, targeting start-up technology companies.

"I am not here to say I can save or create some number of jobs," Emmer said. "Governors and governments don't do that, despite what some might say. What we can do is create a business climate that will lead to job creation."

Rivals again criticized Emmer for refusing to release details for how he would cut $6 billion without raising taxes.

"It is good to see that Representative Emmer finally acknowledges the need for business tax reform," said Matt Lewis, spokesman for Independence Party candidate Tom Horner. "The difference is that Tom Horner has the political honesty and the plan that tells Minnesotans how we will pay for that tax reform."

Lewis and other critics pointed out that Emmer's plan largely mirrors recommendations by the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission and are some of the same ideas Gov. Tim Pawlenty has pushed for eight years.

Dayton said Emmer is running to be CEO and hasn't come up with a plan for the deficit that would pass muster with any corporate board.