Being in the real estate business, we saw a turn in the economy before it was publicly declared a “recession.” Homes were taking longer to sell as the pool of buyers was drying up and there weren’t as many potential buyers relocating to the Twin Cities. Then in 2007, it got worse, and we started to see homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments, yet it hadn’t yet made the news.

In 2008, it got even worse, with many homeowners being upside down on their mortgages and a large percentage of them going into foreclosure.

Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have lost their jobs, endured pay cuts, benefit cuts and reduced hours. Minnesota’s poor business climate has contributed to this financial demise. Our anti-business tax, regulatory, and job creation climate has made this recession worse for Minnesotans than it really had to be.

It’s no surprise that this is where we ended up. It’s a logical result of public policies enacted by our legislature that have handcuffed our employers, employees and everyone else who has tried to grow a small business, pay taxes, give back to their community and keep the state moving forward productively.

So what are some solutions?

• Ease the tax burden on small businesses. 75% of Minnesotans are employed by small businesses. The only way a small business can expand is if they have more capital, more cash at the end of the day. If the government consistently dips their hand into the bottom line of local businesses, there is nothing left for expansion, growth, i.e. hiring more employees. This is exactly where we’re at right now. Our businesses are frozen, as they can’t afford to be taxed another penny. We will see more and more businesses close their doors in 2011, if something isn’t done to change this on Nov. 2^nd. This isn’t a cliché, or a scare tactic, or someone making up theories because they want to get elected, it’s the truth. Talk to your small business owner down the street. They’ll tell you what they’re feeling & the crunch they’re under. They’ll also give you this same solution.
• Reduce license and permit fees on job providers to be no higher than in neighboring states. Again, when a business is deciding on where to base their headquarters, these license and permit fees add up, and a business will move to wherever their bottom line is the healthiest. MN is not winning in this category any longer.
• Reduce corporate income taxes. Contrary to popular belief, all corporations are not bad. They employ people. Corporate income taxes are not paid out of business profits, but passed thru to the consumer in the form of higher costs for the product. If they can make their end cost to the consumer cheaper, they will move elsewhere, where the corporate income tax is lower. This too is not fiction…remember Northwest, Honeywell and State Farm Insurance. Do we want to lose Target, 3M, Ecolab, General Mills & Medtronic too? If they have to continue to trickle down Minnesota’s corporate income tax to the cost of the product & end consumer, we will.
• Cut capital gains taxes. Minnesota has one of the highest personal income tax rates in the country, and unlike some states, gives no preference for capital gains when calculating income tax. Here’s the scenario that is currently happening in our state… A resident owns their investment for years, it earns interest (proportionate to inflation) & upon retirement they want to liquidate some of their investments to now use as income. When looking at the bottom line when selling their investment, a Minnesota resident will move to tax-friendlier state, like Florida, to take advantage of their lower capital gains tax. Minnesota residents have already moved to Florida, living there for six months and a day to get residency and then sell their investment. MN then gets zero of that tax dollar. Last I checked, something is better than nothing when it comes to income.
• Create a “one-stop shop” all new business permits, licenses and fees to make our state more customer-friendly for new businesses. Currently small businesses who are trying to do the right thing upon start-up, are burdened with poor response time in obtaining permits and licenses. Minnesota’s business regulations are cumbersome & small business owners should be able to make one call or one stop to secure the permits and pay the fees necessary to begin operation. Our state needs to become more user-friendly in helping our businesses comply.

New or expanding businesses pay taxes. New or expanding businesses pay more wages to more employees who pay taxes. The net result is more revenue for the state to fund its needed priorities through private sector job creation that benefits everyone. The alternative, attempting to fund state government through tax increases on individuals and small business owners works to stop job increases in the state and takes money out of the economy to pay for more government.

Businesses create jobs, not the government.

Team Housley Parade Line up at 10:00 AM. We’re Unit #26…Look for the Balloons!

Team Housley had a great time attending many of the events at Hastings Rivertown Days and chatting with the residents & visitors to town.  We couldn’t resist entering the recycled boat race in which 50% of your boat had to be made out of recycled materials, or materials that could be recycled. And another important element? It had to float…

Our “on board” team included Hastings Anytime Fitness’ Missy Junker, Hastings resident Laura Sykes, Karin Housley (me) & High School Junior Anthony Johnson.  The boat now rests on Golden Pond serving as a floating dock for area swimmers.

If you or anyone you know  would like a sign, or would like to help us in the neighborhoods to get the word out, (it really is fun and the exercise & fresh air are great), email me. I’d love to have you door knock with me! The people really are nice.

Also, if you could spare a dime, every dollar counts! It’s important. If we’re ever going to get a different kind of government, we’re going to need a different kind of senator. Every sign, every piece of literature and every mailing costs money, and to win this election, we need to pull out all the stops, and that means money too. Please donate here, or send a check to Housley For Senate, PO Box 7, Lakeland, MN 55043. I really, really appreciate it.

This was our last parade in Afton on July 4th…our float & team took up the whole block. You should join us at the next one this weekend! Check out all of our photos on Facebook.

Rivertown Days is this weekend…here’s your parade chance! We line up at 11:00 AM, parade starts at noon.

Parade Map

Line up at Tyler & 14th Street in Hastings.  Map here. We’ll be southeast on 10th Street so walk & ask for parade unit #58. The parade follows Tyler St. from 10th St. to 2nd St. continuing to Eddy St. and ends at Wilson Park. Bring candy. Lots of it. We always run out. If you have any questions, or are lost on your way, call Vicki 952-250-2072.

We also need need volunteers to help staff our Housley For Senate booth. Come on down! Look for us at Jaycee Park, west of the Highway 61 bridge. We’ll be passing out balloons with our TEAM HOUSLEY shirts on. Call Julie if you can join the team! 612-282-7900

Thanks so much!! I’m excited, and I look forward to seeing you at Rivertown Days!

Join us in Hastings on July 18th!

Line up at 5:30. On 12th Avenue south of Wentworth…directions here.

We’re taking the  TEAM PHOTO at 6:15 sharp.

Be part of TEAM HOUSLEY that goes to St. Paul on November 2nd!