Kristi Noem can’t have it both ways. If she wants to agree with the President, that’s fine with us. We wholeheartedly concur that it’s time for Washington Republicans to do their jobs and put America back to work. However, now is not the time for Noem’s double-speak and political gamesmanship. Her credibility isn’t the only thing she’s putting at risk – South Dakotans and their jobs are being gambled away too.
According to an interview Noem gave to KELOLAND TV, she said:
“Keeping rates lower could be incentive for more companies to come here.”
Noem also said:
“The jobs bill [aka the American Jobs Act] would create a new infrastructure bank.”
Fantastic. Noem also wants to give South Dakotans some certainty. Again, we agree. That’s why we stand with the President and call on Noem and the rest of her leadership team to pass the American Jobs Act. Four words: South Dakota can’t wait.
Noem wants tax rates to provide incentives? Wonderful. Here’s what the American Jobs Act will do:
“The President’s plan will cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level. In South Dakota, 20,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.” (Source: Whitehouse.gov)
As for that infrastructure bank:
“The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. Of the investments for highway and transit modernization projects, the President’s plan will make immediate investments of at least $192,500,000 in South Dakota that could support a minimum of approximately 2,500 local jobs.” (Source: Whitehouse.gov)
Wondering about certainty? There’s nothing that provides it more than knowing you get to wake up in the morning and go to work. Here’s what the American Jobs Act will do to ensure South Dakotans will get that luxury:
“Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 5,000 long-term unemployed workers in South Dakota back to work.” (Source: Whitehouse.gov)
So, we have one suggestion for Ms. Noem – on behalf of every South Dakotan, do your job, so we can count on ours. Just because you say you aren’t playing games doesn’t make it true – that’s why elections matter (and why we’re so excited for November 2012).