2010 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Corporations

Tim Pawlenty: Reduce business tax from 3rd highest corporate tax rate

We have the 3rd highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. Our personal income and sales tax rates are among the highest in the country, and Minnesota offers no preferential rate for capital gains. We need to face the facts: Minnesota's tax system is costing us jobs, and our tax code needs to change to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time.

Ed Rendell: We have grown our economy by cutting business taxes

Donald Carcieri: Regulatory Review Task Force to reclaim business revolution

From the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century to the bioscience and green energy revolutions today, Rhode Island has always been a place for incubating new ideas and approaches. Just as it did over a century ago--when R.I. had the highest per capita wealth of any state--our economy once again will rise on the tide of an entrepreneurial revolution.

To enable that to happen again, we need to recreate the same fertile conditions that encouraged businesses to flourish. The most important and positive actions state and local government can take now are: regulatory reform and tax reform. My Regulatory Review Task Force has given me their final report, and, in the coming weeks, I will unveil a series of specific new proposals to streamline, simplify, and shorten the regulatory process.

Mark Sanford: Cut corporate income tax by raising cigarette tax

David Paterson: Replace failed Empire Zone program with Excelsior Program

To develop this program, we went all around the State, seeking out business leaders that would give us advice in all communities. We have come back with three aggressive initiatives targeted for growth industries, such as clean energy, broadband, information systems, and bio-technology.