Polymet Mining Corp PLM.R.W

star tribune mpls

[jjeeddoo7]

You want the jobs? The tax revenue? Or what?

It gets tiring to hear discussion of only the same old partisan arguments (“DFL leaders lay out agenda for session,” Aug. 30). May I submit that both parties get creative and think about an agenda item that supports new tax revenues and job creators instead of tax increases on existing revenue generators.

We as Minnesotans have a rare opportunity to unite and rally our representatives (state and federal) to give their political weight to PolyMet Mining in northeastern Minnesota. This should be nonpartisan and a no-brainer! No tax money, taxpayer financial risk or partner vetting, as with the Vikings stadium. All private investment and investor risk.

It has taken seven years and much private money spent to develop the environmental-impact statement. If Iron Range legislators could support the stadium and same-sex marriage for reasons of job growth, I would think they would lead the charge for PolyMet. This project not only provides permanent jobs but decades’ worth of millions of dollars in tax revenue for all of Minnesota.

We don’t have to look far — to North Dakota — to see a state that seized its opportunity.

W.W. BEDNARCZYK, Minneapolis