One week before reconvening the Legislature, Gov. Dayton and DFL leaders announced their plan to create high-quality, well-paying Minnesota jobs–the top priority during the 2012 session. The Jobs Plan is comprised of smart, targeted and proven strategies that will spark new hiring, get tens of thousands of Minnesotans back to work, and ensure that Minnesota companies and workers can compete in today’s economy.

With 175,000 Minnesotans out of work, it is crucial for the legislature to pass the following components of this plan:

·         A New Jobs Tax Credit for small businesses, which will allow entrepreneurs to create jobs of the future with additional flexibility and capital.

·         Provide $2,000 grants for job skills training to 2,000 Minnesotans, based on in-demand jobs called for by local businesses.

·         Expand the Minnesota FastTRAC program that trains workers for highly needed jobs.

·         Investment in construction projects while building costs are low and public infrastructure is undergoing decay. Gov. Dayton plans to invest $775 in Minnesota’s infrastructure to put 21,700 Minnesotans back to work.

Sen. Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, expressed his support for the proposal, stating, “These initiatives will spur much needed economic activity in our state, as Minnesota attempts to recover from the recession. Our community in southwestern Minnesota will benefit from this plan and I hope to assist in its passage this session.”

The Governor and DFL leaders have expressed the importance of the Jobs Plan, and their intent to pass these provisions early in the session to begin the course toward full economic revival.