There’s a quote in this Times article that underscores Tarryl Clark’s ineptitude on prosperity-related topics. Here’s the quote:

“Clearly, as a state, it is always difficult for us to figure out how we can grow and sustain jobs,” Clark said. “It is always interesting to see and ask questions. Are these resources helping them do what they need to do?”

It isn’t that difficult, Tarryl. Give businesses enough of an incentive to put their capital at risk and they’ll start putting their capital at risk. While that doesn’t mean that tax cuts are the only thing that’s needed, it doesn’t mean that permanent tax cuts aren’t part of the equation, either.

A re-examination of our fees is also important. When a Minnesota distiller has to pay $3,000 a year for a license to operate and that same license costs $350 a year in Iowa, how difficult a decision is it for distillers to move from Minnesota to Iowa?

I’m told a similar situation exists with aviation and South Dakota. This contact said that new aviation companies are starting up in South Dakota rather than Minnesota. Obviously, the decision wasn’t difficult for them.

When VitalMedix asked the Minnesota legislature to change their angel investment tax credit system, the DFL shot the bill down. VitalMedix now is a Wisconsin company because Wisconsin’s investment tax credit system makes it easier for companies to raise capital.

The DFL is fond of saying that Minnesota must be doing something right, that there are more Fortune 500 companies in Minnesota per capita than any other state. the information that they bury is that these Fortune 500 companies used to have vibrant manufacturing divisions operating in the state. Now all that’s left are the companies’ headquarters.

If Minnesota’s business climate provided the groundwork for a vibrant, thriving economy, rest assured that those companies wouldn’t have migrated away from Minneota.

It’s worth noting that companies won’t move into, or expand in, states where government spending isn’t under control. Tarryl’s DFL allies are into out-of-control government spending, which forces them to constantly propose the biggest tax hikes in Minnesota history. What business in their right mind would want to move into that type of business environment?

Until the legislature starts setting sensible spending priorities and until they start saying no to political allies, companies won’t consistently move into the state. You might get one here or there but it won’t be like what’s happening in North Dakota.

Until Tarryl and her DFL allies start putting the entire package together, from tax cuts to fees reform to getting government spending under control to getting out of the way of capital investment companies, companies will (a) move out of Minnesota, (b) expand elsewhere or (c) avoid Minnesota altogether.

Tarryl thinks it’s difficult to create jobs. Actually, it’s pretty straightforward: give companies the incentives to invest, expand and prosper and they’ll invest, expand and prosper.

Technorati: Economy, Job Creation, Tax Cuts, Fees Reform, Investments, Business Climate, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Conservatism, Spending, Tarryl Clark, Tax Increases, Special Interests, DFL