The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) held its Fall Conference November 14-16 in Alexandria, where the organization outlined its 2013 legislative agenda to promote economic growth in Greater Minnesota.
"Earlier this fall, the CGMC called upon Greater Minnesota voters to elect strong legislators that would stand up and support their rural districts," explained CGMC President Bruce Ahlgren, Mayor of Cloquet.
"Now that the election is over and we know who our legislators will be, the CGMC is laying out proposals that will help our cities grow and prosper. In 2013, Greater Minnesota will be making it clear that our needs will no longer take a back seat to the metro area."
The CGMC will be pushing for the passage of economic development programs targeted for Greater Minnesota communities.
Among the legislative initiatives is an increase in the venture capital tax credit for investments made in Greater Minnesota businesses, a new employee job training program for Greater Minnesota employers, and a program to provide incentives to Greater Minnesota employers to hire interns from Minnesota colleges or universities.
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"The CGMC worked with rural business owners, chambers of commerce, and economic development authorities to craft proposals that will promote job creation and private investment in Greater Minnesota," explained Ahlgren.
"Last year, the Legislature focused its efforts on bringing economic development to the Twin Cities by providing funding for the Vikings and Saints stadiums. Now it's time for Greater Minnesota to receive the tools we need to grow our local economies."
The CGMC will also be advocating restoring at least $100 million in Local Government Aid (LGA) funding, which is state funding distributed to cities to keep property taxes lower and pay for services. Since 2002, funding for LGA has been cut by $140 million.
"State cuts to LGA and property tax relief programs have disproportionately hurt Greater Minnesota. From 2011 to 2012, our property taxes increased by 8 percent, as compared to 2.6 percent in the metro area. These property tax hikes make it harder for our businesses to survive, let alone grow and expand," explained Ahlgren.
"Providing adequate funding for LGA is necessary for Greater Minnesota cities to remain economically viable and to hold the line on job-killing property tax increases."
Both before and during the 2013 Legislative Session, the CGMC will be meeting with Greater Minnesota legislators to build support and momentum for passing these initiatives into law.
