Chris on Creating Jobs and Growing the Economy

As a small business owner and a member of the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, Chris understands the vital need to grow Minnesota's economy. Chris is committed to helping businesses create the jobs that Minnesota needs. Chris believes that the public sector needs to work hand-in- hand with the private sector to ensure that we in Minnesota are creating the jobs that all of us in Minnesota need.

Clearinghouse for Small Businesses

Chris understands that small businesses face a range of issues from regulatory compliance to securing small business loans. Chris will use his office to provide free assistance to small businesses in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and North Oaks to point them in the right direction and get the answers that they need from state officials, so that they can go about the job of running their businesses.

An "Angel Investor" Tax Credit

Access to capital is the lifeblood for start-up businesses and small businesses are the engines for tomorrow's economy. I spoke with an entrepreneur in White Bear Township who decried the changes over the past 20 years that have made it more difficult to secure venture capital to start new businesses. I support a 25 percent tax credit for investments in high technology, biotechnology, medical device or green manufacturing businesses to help create the jobs of the 21st century right here in Minnesota.

Investing in Safe Roads and Bridges

Minnesota must continue to invest in its basic infrastructure to provide for safe roads and bridges. Unfortunately, my opponent opposed the Transportation Bill in 2008 that provides funding for safe roads and bridges and supports 40,000 well-paying jobs in our communities. I supported the Transportation Bill and want to make sure that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) addresses two pressing transportation needs for our communities:

Doing the Job Right on Highway 61 Through Downtown White Bear Lake

In 2014, MnDOT is scheduled to repave Highway 61 through downtown White Bear Lake. I will work with community members, local businesses, and local officials to ensure that MnDOT does the job right so that the Highway 61 repaving project provides the maximum leverage to White Bear by ensuring that the project takes into account sidewalks, curb ramps, connector trails, and other features that will make downtown White Bear even more walkable, bikable, and livable place to shop and do business.

Making the Highway 96 Overpass Over I-35E Less Congested and Safer for Bikers and Walkers

The Highway 96 Overpass over I-35E is outdated and is ranked by Ramsey County as the third highest priority for bridge replacement. I will work with local officials to ensure that the outdated Highway 96 overpass is replaced to relieve the traffic congestion and to make it safer for bikers and walkers using the Highway 96 Regional Trail.

Affordable Health Care for Small Businesses

Rising health-care costs are a crushing burden on small businesses. I met with a woman in White Bear Lake who is healthy and has had her own one-person business for past 20 years. The best health-insurance plan that she could secure was one where she has a deductible of $11,000.

I support removing the barriers in Minnesota that prevent small businesses from forming large groups for health insurance coverage. Removing these barriers will enable small businesses to enjoy the reduced health-insurance rates offered to larger employers. A similar program in another state has a group of 11,000 small businesses encompassing over 175,000 employees. Small businesses that are part of this group can select from among more than 25 different health- insurance plans. This is a practical solution to addressing a real need and will be of great help to our small businesses.

Historic Structure Rehabilitation Credit

The reuse of historic buildings can revitalize a business area and preserve the culture of a community. I support a tax credit of 20 percent of the total cost of rehabilitating historic structures. Qualifying properties must be either certified historic structures or located in certified historic districts. Several other states provide this tax credit. I support the state historic structure rehabilitation tax credit here in Minnesota to help us reuse the best building from yesterday for today's needs.