February 6, 2003 -- State Representative Al Juhnke -- NEWS RELEASE
281 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-6206
3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201
320/235-4442
JUHNKE: STATE OF THE STATE OFFERED NOTHING NEW
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's first State of the State address was a warmed-over recitation of his promises from last year's campaign - but lacked a single word about Rural Minnesota and agriculture, Rep. Al Juhnke said after hearing the speech Thursday.
"The Governor never used the word 'recycling,' but that's exactly what his speech was all about - the same lofty rhetoric without much substance behind it," Juhnke, of Willmar, said. "And not a line of his remarks seemed relevant to Rural Minnesota and agriculture. That's very disappointing - it indicates he has a blind spot for 25 percent of the state's economy and half of its population.
And we already know that he doesn't support ethanol, which is the most successful economic development effort we've seen in Rural Minnesota in the past two decades."
Although Gov. Pawlenty called for good schools and better roads throughout the state, his speech lacked specifics, Juhnke said. And while the Governor may stick to his "no tax hike" pledge at the state level, cuts to schools and in state aid to cities and counties will force city councils and school boards to do exactly that.
"He pointed out goals, but didn't show us a road map to get there," Juhnke said. "No one disagrees that Rural Minnesota needs more jobs, good schools and good roads."
Juhnke also challenged two assertions made by the Governor: That Minnesota is one of the nation's most-taxed states, and that jobs are fleeing to Wisconsin and South Dakota.
"The truth on taxes is that Minnesota is no longer in the top 10 on any major taxes - sales, income, corporate or property," Juhnke said. "In fact, we rank 22nd in terms of total tax burden."
Likewise, it's a myth at Minnesota businesses aren't expanding. The 2002 annual report by the Department of Trade & Economic Development showed 148 major business expansions worth $784 million even in the midst of the recession. That followed 297 projects worth $1.4 billion in 2001 and almost $5 billion a year in the "boom years" of 1998, 1999, and 2000.
