Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled his "Green Jobs Investment Initiative" which has an overall price tag of $86 million over many years and would create a "significant number of jobs" without naming a specific number. It expands the tax-free JOBZ zones for green jobs and has other tax credits and investments. In light of his new national position and the fact some conservative Republicans have been skeptical of his environmental positions he stood by going green and said there are "no worries of being too green or environmentally sensitive." He thinks the legislature which is DFL-controlled will view the package favorably because the jobs are "clean and green" and "we're in a recession." Urban Dems have taken aim at the gov's tax free zones in the greater Minnesota and nearly axed it last session. Pawlenty didn't steer too hard left as he still adhered to his belief that business taxes are too high in the state saying "if it were up to me we would make the whole state more like a JOBZ zone."
The governor also sounded off about the swinging U.S. Senate tallies and referenced "concerning repots of someone driving around with 30-40 ballots in their car." He asked emphatically "How does that happen?" Pawlenty reminded us that Minnesota has a proud election tradition being one of the leading states and believes "the process is not flawed on its face." He said his lawyers have been looking into a gubernatorial role in a recount and it generally doesn't seem he can play a major role as the controversy continues.
Back to the Green Jobs thing, Rep. Tim Mahoney, chair of the Committee of Biosciences & Emerging Technologies, stopped by the press offices and said there was not enough detail, but lawmakers look forward to working with the governor. Mahoney said "we all like green, but it seem like the governor is focused on how we cut taxes." The DFL lawmaker wondered "why throw in one of the most contentious issues" by including JOBZ. He thinks that hurts the plan rather than create DFL converts to the concept.
