WASHINGTON (AP) — A possible White House contender in 2012 said in the GOP's Saturday address that President Barack Obama and the Democrats who run Congress should lower taxes and hold down spending.
"Let hardworking American families keep more of what they earn by cutting taxes and reining in spending," said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn. "It's just common sense."
He said Democratic president's budget will require higher taxes and unfairly loads debt onto future generations. Pawlenty also said Obama has talked about tax relief, but his budget suggests he'll be raising taxes.
"I thought President Obama's proposal to eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses was a pretty good idea. And his pledge to lower taxes for middle-class Americans was something Republicans wholeheartedly supported," Pawlenty said. "But the budget that Congress is considering doesn't provide that tax relief."
Click here to read the entire article and to watch the video.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Star Tribune: Click online and see how state spends your money
Only a few clicks will enable taxpayers to get more details on how their dollars are being spent.
By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune
Last update: March 26, 2009 - 10:40 PM
Minnesota's checkbook register went online Thursday.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a new website, titled TAP Minnesota -- www.mmb.state.mn.us/tap -- that anyone with a computer can access to find out how much money the state is spending and where.
Figures for 2007-09 can be found by state agency, funding source or the vendor receiving the payment. Private data are omitted.
Special funds as well as the general fund can be searched, Pawlenty said. The site will be updated daily.
The governor said he hopes that taxpayers will use it to learn more about their government, scrutinize state spending and even wag a finger at profligate officials.
"We anticipate that this is going to be a powerful new tool," Pawlenty said at a Capitol news conference. "Taxpayers are paying the bills for government in Minnesota, and we think they should have a chance to look at the checkbook register and see where all this money is going in a great amount of detail, and be able to do that on a user-friendly, online, anytime basis."
Click here to read the entire article.
By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune
Last update: March 26, 2009 - 10:40 PM
Minnesota's checkbook register went online Thursday.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a new website, titled TAP Minnesota -- www.mmb.state.mn.us/tap -- that anyone with a computer can access to find out how much money the state is spending and where.
Figures for 2007-09 can be found by state agency, funding source or the vendor receiving the payment. Private data are omitted.
Special funds as well as the general fund can be searched, Pawlenty said. The site will be updated daily.
The governor said he hopes that taxpayers will use it to learn more about their government, scrutinize state spending and even wag a finger at profligate officials.
"We anticipate that this is going to be a powerful new tool," Pawlenty said at a Capitol news conference. "Taxpayers are paying the bills for government in Minnesota, and we think they should have a chance to look at the checkbook register and see where all this money is going in a great amount of detail, and be able to do that on a user-friendly, online, anytime basis."
Click here to read the entire article.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Star Tribune: Pawlenty unveils highway projects financed by stimulus funds
By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune
Last update: February 25, 2009 - 10:30 AM
Gov. Tim Pawlenty this morning unveiled a list of 60 transportation projects in outstate Minnesota worth an estimated $180 million that will be financed by money from the federal stimulus bill.
Minnesota is expected to receive more than $596 million for state and local highway and transit projects over the next two years as a result of the federal legislation.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the outstate transportation projects will create approximately 5,000 jobs. Projects in the Twin Cities metro area will be announced in March.
The projects announced today include concrete rehabilitation on Interstate 94 near Monticello, repaving Highway 75 north of Ortonville and concrete replacement work on stretches of Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota.
The most expensive project, costing $18 million, entails rehabilitating Hwy. 53 north of Duluth.
Click here to read the entire article.
Last update: February 25, 2009 - 10:30 AM
Gov. Tim Pawlenty this morning unveiled a list of 60 transportation projects in outstate Minnesota worth an estimated $180 million that will be financed by money from the federal stimulus bill.
Minnesota is expected to receive more than $596 million for state and local highway and transit projects over the next two years as a result of the federal legislation.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the outstate transportation projects will create approximately 5,000 jobs. Projects in the Twin Cities metro area will be announced in March.
The projects announced today include concrete rehabilitation on Interstate 94 near Monticello, repaving Highway 75 north of Ortonville and concrete replacement work on stretches of Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota.
The most expensive project, costing $18 million, entails rehabilitating Hwy. 53 north of Duluth.
Click here to read the entire article.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pioneer Press: Minnesota, Wisconsin looking to help each other save
By Bill Salisbury
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle today signed an agreement to share services in order to cut costs and help both states cope with big budget deficits.
The pact directs agency heads in both states to identify possible areas of cooperation that would cut costs and provide services more efficiently. Minnesota faces a $4.8 billion budget shortfall over the next two years while Wisconsin has a $5.4 billion projected deficit.
During a press conference at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul, Pawlenty, a Republican who initiated the idea, called the agreement a "unique partnership" that has not been tried by other states.
Pawlenty didn't know how much the two states would save but said it would be "millions of dollars and maybe more."
Doyle, a Democrat, said it was an "enormously important opportunity" for both states. Wisconsin and Minnesota are similar in many ways, he said, and both states need to find ways to cut government spending during the current recession.
How would it work? Here's one example: The two states combined buy more than 600 tons of road salt every winter. Pawlenty said they could save nearly $1 million by bulk purchasing.
Click here to read the entire article.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle today signed an agreement to share services in order to cut costs and help both states cope with big budget deficits.
The pact directs agency heads in both states to identify possible areas of cooperation that would cut costs and provide services more efficiently. Minnesota faces a $4.8 billion budget shortfall over the next two years while Wisconsin has a $5.4 billion projected deficit.
During a press conference at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul, Pawlenty, a Republican who initiated the idea, called the agreement a "unique partnership" that has not been tried by other states.
Pawlenty didn't know how much the two states would save but said it would be "millions of dollars and maybe more."
Doyle, a Democrat, said it was an "enormously important opportunity" for both states. Wisconsin and Minnesota are similar in many ways, he said, and both states need to find ways to cut government spending during the current recession.
How would it work? Here's one example: The two states combined buy more than 600 tons of road salt every winter. Pawlenty said they could save nearly $1 million by bulk purchasing.
Click here to read the entire article.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Park Rapids Enterprise: Pawlenty promotes green jobs
Don Davis, Capitol Bureau
Published Monday, November 10, 2008
Lower taxes for businesses that add jobs in renewable energy industries is a key part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2009 economic plan.
As he was beginning a statewide tour announcing his $86 million "Green Jobs Investment Initiative," Pawlenty told reporters in a Capitol news conference Monday that he does not know how many jobs his plan would create. However, he said it would be a significant number and state officials predicted more than 114,000 million Minnesotans will hold such jobs in the next 30 years. About 15,000 Minnesotans work in green jobs today.
Green jobs are those involving the manufacture or other work on renewable energy components ranging from manufacturing wind-powered electric generator parts to making crop-based fuels.
Pawlenty's proposal, which needs legislative approval, would:
-- Create a nearly tax-free environment for businesses that create green jobs patterned after the Job Opportunity Building Zones program for struggling rural areas.
-- Provide a tax breaks to investors willing to spend money on projects creating green jobs.
-- Give companies that produce solar or biomethane gas (such as from landfills and manure) energy credit toward meeting the state's goal of providing 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Click here to read the entire article.
Published Monday, November 10, 2008
Lower taxes for businesses that add jobs in renewable energy industries is a key part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2009 economic plan.
As he was beginning a statewide tour announcing his $86 million "Green Jobs Investment Initiative," Pawlenty told reporters in a Capitol news conference Monday that he does not know how many jobs his plan would create. However, he said it would be a significant number and state officials predicted more than 114,000 million Minnesotans will hold such jobs in the next 30 years. About 15,000 Minnesotans work in green jobs today.
Green jobs are those involving the manufacture or other work on renewable energy components ranging from manufacturing wind-powered electric generator parts to making crop-based fuels.
Pawlenty's proposal, which needs legislative approval, would:
-- Create a nearly tax-free environment for businesses that create green jobs patterned after the Job Opportunity Building Zones program for struggling rural areas.
-- Provide a tax breaks to investors willing to spend money on projects creating green jobs.
-- Give companies that produce solar or biomethane gas (such as from landfills and manure) energy credit toward meeting the state's goal of providing 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Click here to read the entire article.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
MPR: Pawlenty renews push to change teaching rules
by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio
September 23, 2008
St. Paul, Minn. — Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday outlined a number of education related proposals he plans to push for during the 2009 legislative session. It's the first set of initiatives from the governor for next year's legislative session.
The governor's package focuses on improving the quality of teachers by changing how they are paid, recruited and prepared for class.
Pawlenty proposes tying teacher pay raises to improvement in student performance. It's a step further than the QComp law Minnesota enacted a few years ago, which put more emphasis on merit in pay decisions.
Click here to read the entire article.
September 23, 2008
St. Paul, Minn. — Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday outlined a number of education related proposals he plans to push for during the 2009 legislative session. It's the first set of initiatives from the governor for next year's legislative session.
The governor's package focuses on improving the quality of teachers by changing how they are paid, recruited and prepared for class.
Pawlenty proposes tying teacher pay raises to improvement in student performance. It's a step further than the QComp law Minnesota enacted a few years ago, which put more emphasis on merit in pay decisions.
Click here to read the entire article.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Star Tribune: Pawlenty unveils plan to revamp health care system in Minnesota
Pawlenty's health care plan would allow patients to view records on secure websites and use debit cards to tap flexible spending accounts. For 50,000 state employees, it could be a reality by next year.
By PATRICIA LOPEZ, Star Tribune
Last update: July 29, 2008 - 11:22 PM
You're sick. Achy. You've got a nagging feeling that maybe this is a recurrence of that bug you picked up a few months ago.
Imagine logging on to your secured personal medical Web profile, checking results of previous lab tests, doing a few quick price comparisons on treatment options, then using your flexible spending account debit card to pay for eligible out-of-pocket costs.
That's what could soon be in store for all Minnesotans and what will be reality for the state's 50,000 employees as early as next year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday in a major health-care rollout that he said puts Minnesota in the forefront of consumer-friendly medicine.
Speaking to a health care alliance group at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, Pawlenty said his goal is to give all Minnesotans access to online personal health portfolios by 2011.
Click here to read the entire article.
By PATRICIA LOPEZ, Star Tribune
Last update: July 29, 2008 - 11:22 PM
You're sick. Achy. You've got a nagging feeling that maybe this is a recurrence of that bug you picked up a few months ago.
Imagine logging on to your secured personal medical Web profile, checking results of previous lab tests, doing a few quick price comparisons on treatment options, then using your flexible spending account debit card to pay for eligible out-of-pocket costs.
That's what could soon be in store for all Minnesotans and what will be reality for the state's 50,000 employees as early as next year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday in a major health-care rollout that he said puts Minnesota in the forefront of consumer-friendly medicine.
Speaking to a health care alliance group at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, Pawlenty said his goal is to give all Minnesotans access to online personal health portfolios by 2011.
Click here to read the entire article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
