Leaders discuss how to spark growth

Last week’s McLeod For Tomorrow elected officials forum was a meeting of the minds, uniting leaders of differing perspectives and philosophies.

State Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove — voted this summer by the House Republican Caucus to succeed Marty Seifert as House minority leader — told local leaders that jobs and the economy would be focus of the next legislative session.

Zellers and Rep. Ron Shimanski, R-Silver Lake, both agree making Minnesota a more business-friendly state is the key to beating the current economic malaise. “You can’t cut your way out of it,” Zellers said. “You sure as heck can’t tax your way out of it. So we’re going to have to grow our way out of it.”

The Legislature traditionally tackles bonding for state projects on even-numbered years, and Sen. Steve Dille sees 2010 as offering unique opportunities. Dille said Minnesota’s per capita indebtedness is better than 42 other states. Because of the slow economy, he added, “bids on projects are coming in really low. This is really an ideal time to have a big bonding bill to help stimulate the economy.”

For more on this story, see the Leader’s Nov. 3 print edition.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)