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Tim Pawlenty on Welfare & Poverty

Republican MN Governor


Government growth displaces faith community & charities

Endless government growth becomes a form of tyranny. When the government takes up more and more space--space that was previously reserved for individuals, families, the faith community, charities, markets and the private sector--the result is more displacement, discouragement, disincentive, and dependency. As government swells to become nearly everyone's financial nanny, freedom and personal responsibility are diminished."
Source: Courage to Stand, by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, A.P. excerpts , Jan 6, 2011

Metropolitan poverty bill: Express to Success Transit System

[In a 1992 article, Pawlenty was described as] an atypical Republican because he was concerned about poverty. He said Republicans needed to do a better job of articulating an agenda that met people's needs.

Pawlenty made good on his campaign promise to address poverty. He introduced a "metropolitan poverty reduction bill" to increase jobs and affordable housing throughout the Twin Cities in both urban and suburban areas. The proposal included development of low-income housing in the wealthier suburbs; various tax credits and business incentives to spur job creation; an "Express to Success Transit System" for low-income city residents working in the suburbs; and a program to help move people from welfare to work. The bill was side-tracked when Democrats introduced a far more extreme proposal that ultimately was vetoed.

Source: Sam's Club Republican, by J.A. McClure, p. 12-14 , May 10, 2010

2005: Established state council on faith-based initiatives

Following the example of President Bush, Pawlenty signed an executive order establishing a state council on faith-based initiatives, the Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives. The council was charged with matching the faith-based organizations with state and federal grants. The 15-member board was given a budget of $175,000.
Source: Sam's Club Republican, by J.A. McClure, p. 36 , May 10, 2010

Rural poverty JOBZ program: Job Opportunity Building Zones

Pawlenty's signature legislation for addressing rural poverty was the Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) program. Under JOBZ, impoverished rural areas were designated as tax-free zones to generate entrepreneurship and investment. Companies in the zones were exempted from income taxes, property taxes, and state and local sales taxes. The goal was to stop Minnesota from hemorrhaging manufacturing jobs, to revitalize impoverished regions, and to compete with low-tax neighbors like South Dakota. The JOBZ program was a moderate success, receiving mixed reviews years later. The program was helpful in attracting out-of-state businesses, but questioned whether it was cost-effective given the loss of tax revenue.
Source: Sam's Club Republican, by J.A. McClure, p. 35 , May 10, 2010

Other candidates on Welfare & Poverty: Tim Pawlenty on other issues:
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Pres.Barack Obama
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Rep.Michele Bachmann(MN)
Herman Cain(GA)
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Gov.Jon Huntsman(UT)
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Page last updated: Feb 23, 2012