Minnesota Republicans oppose American Jobs Act despite potential job gains
Pres.
Jul 31, 202036.4K Shares810.2K Views
Pres. Barack Obama is sending his jobs plan to Congress today, where it’s expected to face opposition from Minnesota Republicans, despite White House claims that the plan would create jobs in the state.
A White House analysis argues that the American Jobs Act would create at least 91,100 jobs in Minnesota, provide payroll tax relief for 120,000 state companies and cut the average Minnesotan’s taxes by $1,740.
The plan includes at least $608 million in transit and infrastructure funding in the state. It also would allocate $500 million to hire Minnesota teachers, $100 million to rehabilitate foreclosed properties and $87 million to modernize community colleges.
Obama’s plan faces some challenges from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Republican members of the Minnesota congressional delegation, including Reps. John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Michele Bachmann, criticized the jobs plan last week.
“I stand here tonight to say to the President, not only should Congress not pass your plan, I say stop. Your last plan hasn’t worked, it’s hurting the American economy,” Bachmann said in a rebuttal to the President. “Instead of temporary fixes, do what has proved to work in the past, permanent pro-growth policies that are driven by the free market.”
In a statement last week, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum urged Republicans to pass the plan for the good of the country.
“Even with millions of people out of work and hurting, passing this jobs package requires the Tea Party majority to act in a responsible, bipartisan manner which is doubtful,” McCollum said. ”The American people want jobs, not dangerous and harmful Tea Party schemes to protect polluters, bust unions, eliminate Medicare, and outsource more jobs.”
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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