Kelash for Minnesota State Senate - A Senator for All the People of SD63
Kelash Slide Show
Senator Kelash supports legislation to create jobs in Richfield, Bollminton and Minneapolis
Creating New Jobs in Richfield, Bloomington and Minneapolis
Sen. Kelash supported tax reform that will create 1,450 new jobs at the Mall of America.
Creating New Jobs & Preserving Our Cultural Heritage at Fort Snelling
Long neglected Fort Snelling is slowly coming back to life. Federal dollars are being spent to stabilize old buildings and the Boy Scouts of America are completing a new rope and rock climbing recreation facility. Sen. Kelash supported tax credits that will spur new development at the site.
Request A Lawn Sign
Click the sign, sign up and help Ken win in 2010!
Cutting the Cost of State Government
Tough economic times requires belt-tightening in State Government. Sen Kelash supported a $33 million dollar reduction in dollars going to administer state programs. This included cutting $2.8 million dollars from funds used to support the State Legislature, a $210,000 cut in funding for the Governor's office and a $954,000 cut to the State Attorney General's office.
Using State Bonding Authority to Add 16,000 Construction Jobs to Repair and Build Much Needed Infrastructure
Senator Kelash supported the passage of the bi-partisan $680 million dollar bonding bill in 2010. The bill funds construction projects throughout the State - conservative estimates state that 16,000 construction workers will be hired to complete these projects. Some of the projects included in the bill are:
* $56 million to repair facilities at the University of Minnesota.
* $52 million to repair facilities at community colleges throughout Minnesota.
* $66 million to replace local bridges.
* $63.5 million for flood mitigation projects around the State
How Does Bonding Work?
The State of Minnesota sells bonds to raise funds used to pay for repair or build new infrastructure projects around the State. The State pays investors who buy these bonds interest. If the interest the State must pay out is high, the cost to the taxpayer can be high. However, interest rates paid to bond investors are at historic lows, thus it makes good sense to issue bonds now to finance these much needed improvements while creating needed jobs in the process.
Using Tax Credits To Create Jobs & Preserve Minnesota's History
Senator Kelash supported bi-partisan legislation that will provide tax credits to developers who agree to rehabilitate the historic structures located at Fort Snelling. Here's why:
Civic leaders in Richfield, Bloomington and Minneapolis all point to the former military base at Fort Snelling as the area most likely to become the next destination center for tourism and commerce in the Twin Cities.
Using Tax Policy to Support Job Creation at the Mall of America
The Mall of America (MOA) is the largest tourist attraction in Minnesota, and has more than 40 million visitors each year. Last year the MOA had a small increase in sales while retailers all over the world were hurt by the poor economy. In 2010, Senator Kelash supported bi-partisan tax overhaul legislation that allows the Mall of America to use previously approved special local taxes and revenue bonds to expand its operations through the construction of a new adjoining hotel.
