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<br /> THE BUSINESS JOURNAL I twincrties.bizjournals.com 43
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<br /> adOP raise budget that doesn't raise taxes, but acknowledge health costs will rise
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<br /> 1 businesses by eroding the historic property- National Association of Industrial and Office
<br /> 1 M©RE tax reforms of 2001,business leaders said.The Properties.
<br /> of How Gov Tim Pawlenty plans to solve the Pawlenty administration has pledged not to
<br /> $4„2 billion 2004.05 budgetcnsis increase the statewide business property tax, Nigher education
<br /> Na new tax increases, but cities might try to recoup lost revenue by Another concern of business leaders is that
<br /> Uses about$1billion*tobaccoendowmmntfunds raising their own property taxes. the cuts might hurt the University of
<br /> re 1 'Proposes two-year public•employee pay freeze The administration is aware of such a possi- Minnesota,which is considered a key element
<br /> in ' Total projected spending would be reducedfrom bility and wants to cap the levies of local gov- in creating a vibrant economy through tech-
<br /> i $3098`billion to$28,12 billion.Reductions would emments.Pawlenty also supports reverse ref- nology transfers and research.
<br /> ie l; include: • • erendums,which would give citizens the abiliThe universitywould lose 15 percent under the
<br /> Health and Human Services,$810 million. ty to pass a referendum that repeals property governor's proposal,which calls for$1.08 billion
<br /> a I Local aid;$638 million tax increases. in state funding.That translates into a reduction
<br /> at l Higher education,$358 million Bill Blazar of the Minnesota Chamber of of about 5 percent of the U's total revenue.
<br /> er `= Environment and agriculture,$95.7 million Commerce, said reverse referendums could A tuition increase for both Minnesota State
<br /> nt Economic Development,$65.1 million do more to stop increases than the levy caps. Colleges and Universities and the University
<br /> nt # Transportation,$25.9.million • "We know that levy limits have not been an of Minnesota to make up for the cuts would be
<br /> it i Criminal Justice,$138 million effective tool in the past,' because of the many limited to a maximum of about 15 percent,the
<br /> loopholes and exceptions theycontain. governor said.
<br /> n �: Otherz$69 million P P
<br /> t Total reductions;$2.83 billion • The issue is one of concern to the real-estate A favorable aspect of Pawlenty's plan,
<br /> its = Restores budget reserves to$500 million by 2005 industry, which fought hard to win the 2001 Benson said, is a shift to subsidize students
<br /> ie Total spending would still increase about$1 bit- tax reductions."Real-estate professionals real- rather than institutions by dedicating$60 mil-
<br /> of lion,or 3,8 percent above the 2003'04 budget ize that there is a battle ahead of us to keep the lion to financial aid.
<br /> ie a - taxes where they are today,' said Jean Kane,
<br /> es president of the Minnesota Chapter of the smith@bitjoumals.can 1(612)288-2107
<br /> r- "devastating."
<br /> 4
<br /> re "The public hospitals would all find it
<br /> 3e sossible to recruit with a wage freeze," Minnesota Technology Inc. faces another death threat
<br /> i- said. "We would start to hemorrhage
<br /> [d . ►pie leaving for better opportunities else- For the second consecutive year,Minnesota Technology Inc.has found itself on the governor's
<br /> where." chopping block.
<br /> Ys Business leaders said the wage freeze was The nonprofit organization,which helps businesses develop,use and commercialize technology,would
<br /> is appropriate since it mirrors private sector see the$5.3 million it receives from Minnesota axed under Gov.Tim Pawlenty's new budget plan.Such a
<br /> t- cost-cutting measures. cut would essentially shut down Minnesota Technology,which has a total budget of about$8.3 million,offi
<br /> ie Nonprofits and the arts are the other big dais said.
<br /> ie losers.Among cuts to nonprofits are a 35 per- "There's no way we can exist without the state's involvement;said Lynn Buschman,Minnesota
<br /> ss cent decrease in state funding for Minnesota Technology's director of communications.She noted that,though Pawlenty said that Minnesota
<br /> ie Public Radio and a 25 percent cut in public tel- Technology has other funding sources,the$2 million MTI receives from the federal government is cor
<br /> it evision funding. tingent on the group getting at least$4 million from Minnesota.
<br /> u- Marcia Avner, public policy director of the Still,Minnesota Technology has been in this situation before and survived.Last year,Gov.Jesse
<br /> Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, said the Ventura tried to eliminate the group's funding,but all but about 11 percent(or$750,000)was
<br /> or cuts will be very significant for nonprofits and restored by the Legislature.
<br /> 3- some will have to close. Buschman said that past support from lawmakers is a sign of hope this year."We know the valuE
<br /> v- we bring to small and medium-sized businesses in Minnesota;she said.Minnesota Technology sail
<br /> rt Possible property tax hikes that its work with businesses results in$13.2 million in new sales and income-tax revenue for the
<br /> ;h Pawlenty proposes a 22 percent cut in local state annually–about twice the state's investment
<br /> ht aid to cities and counties over the next two As a result of last year's cuts,Minnesota Technology recently began an effort to shift itself to a fee-
<br /> s- years.These reductions in local government based business model,charging businesses for services it once gave away.That could eventually
<br /> in aid-a program designed to equalize revenue help fund the organization independently,but Buschman said that effort is still in the pilot phase.
<br /> )e among cities — could boomerang back on BY MARK REILLY I SENIOR REPORTER
<br /> iai n strives to get more fans in the Metrodome earlier in the season than in.. 2002
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<br /> ticket holders. paper and convincing them to go to the match the success of the"Get To Know'Em'
<br /> The new campaign is an evolution of the Metrodome. campaign.
<br /> "Get To "Know 'Em" campaign that "You can't catch aTorii Hunter home run on According to research conducted by team
<br /> atneapolis-based Hunt Adkins created for your couch, and there are very few places officials in August, 85 percent of the general
<br /> y 1� team in 2001. That campaign aimed to where you can throw your peanuts on the population said they had heard or seen a
<br /> ie introduce fans to a number of new players, floor,"O'Brien said."People coming out to the Twins advertisement. Approximately one-
<br /> such as.shortstop Cristian Guzman and left ballpark will have a better experience if the third of those people were able to recall the
<br /> to fielder Jacque Jones.Using newspapers,radio volume is higher." Twins "Get To Know 'Em" slogan. About 94
<br /> .8 and television, the campaign played off the The"Gotta See 'Em campaign will deliver percent said the advertisements left them
<br /> to players'hobbies and skills. - the message via print,radio and television.A with a positive impression of the organization
<br /> a- Because of the ads' success,the"Gotta See few of the radio ads hit the airwaves earlier and 38 percent indicated that the advertise-
<br /> le 'Em"campaign has a similar look and feel. this week and the television campaign is ments motivated them to purchase tickets or
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