Despite MnDOT’s budget woes, and despite the slow atrophy of our infrastructure, Pawlenty has continued to slash state spending and run up massive budget deficits. The reason he usually gives is economic competitiveness — businesses won’t locate here if they have to pay taxes, he says. Of course, I say businesses won’t locate here if they don’t have high-quality infrastructure to move their products and their employees.
Now, Pawlenty seems ready to admit that we do need more money to complete transportation projects. And here’s the incredible irony: He’s asking Minnesota businesses to pay for it. The Star Tribune reports:
Millions of dollars from corporations are accelerating construction of two major highway interchange enhancements in a funding strategy Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel described as models for future projects.
Is it just me, or does this completely undermine Pawlenty’s whole argument about having a competitive economy? What businesses is going to care about our tax rates if they have to choose between either having insufficient infrastructure or paying for that infrastructure themselves?
Sure. He’s got to change his tune.
The infrastructure of course needs to be ready for any future return of employment.
Another stadium isn’t going to make commuters happy so much as roads & rail.
Nevertheless, since he’s getting outta here: Pawlenty can trade on his earlier claims.
Bush did that, when he got the hell out of Texas before the impacts of his policies came to roost.
That’s the way the game gets played - just like you keep hearing Ronnie Reagan being all about CUTTING taxes.
Never mind he raised them later, when his vision failed to bear out.
Pawlenty’s timing may not work. He’s benefiting from chaos in the Republican Party nationally.
“Boring” is even interesting in the short term, since no one else is making much noise.
Early enough to be noticed before he gets bowled over when Gingrich & Palin & Romney all get aboard.
I'd be interested in hearing comments from the rural people (NorthernMN for ex). You think the big city corporations are going to fund your highway needs?
Pete,
Now I am feeling the love; mentioned by (screen) name, hooray! I must say, our roads are in bad shape up here. Highway 2 just outside of Crookston has essentially fallen into the Red Lake River. I have no idea when (if) it will re-open.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?stor...
And I can think of no business in this quadrant of the state that has ANY money to donate to infrastructure of any kind. Even profitable businesses are seeing their budgets hit hard by rising health premiums and decreased demand for goods and services.
So yeah, if this continues, NW MN is going to be using snowshoes to get to work.
It ignores the concept of the common good. We pay taxes so society can function, and that can mean everything from smooth roads to good schools to dependable police and fire departments to regulating insurance companies. Are we now moving in the direction where I have to pay the police extra to get them to patrol in front of my house? And then pay the city attorney to prosecute someone who breaks into my house?
It’s not a “tax.” It’s not a “fee.” It’s now “public-private partnerships.”
Do the companies get to write-off their “investments in the state” as “donations to charity”?
Lets add a few more P's
Pawlenty
Prostituting
Public
Projects for
Private
Purposes