Dayton, Kelliher and Entenza promote Job Creation in Minnesota Governors Race

Kelliher has been talking about jobs more than other candidates. It is a cornerstone of her “No Stone Unturned Tour” to create more than 200,000 jobless Minnesotans back to work.

Her $25 million jobs plan is in addition to her plan to support $1 billion public works finance bills each of the first two years she is in office. That would be twice the typical bonding bill.

“We can afford that,” she said.

The Kelliher campaign still is studying the economic impact of her jobs plan, but said she is confident she can create jobs.

“By the end of four years, we believe we will have made a very significant dent on those 214,000 Minnesotans who are out of jobs,” she said.

Dayton also supports a $1 billion public works construction bill and includes plans to increase employment by boosting the green industry.

The former U.S. senator also promises to promote tourism, which he said brings a $20 return for every dollar spent. Dayton said that unlike other candidates, he has saved and created jobs during his time as state official, including a stint as economic development commissioner.

Entenza emphasizes green jobs, those in the environmental areas such as making wind turbines or remodeling buildings to make them more energy-efficient.

“It is not part of my plan to balance the budget, but it will bring in revenue,” Entenza said about increasing green jobs.

Since the state spends more than $10 billion a year on energy such as electricity, “if we spend even a fraction of that on ourselves, that will drive up state revenues as well.” He would make sure the Commerce Department and Public Utilities Commission push energy-efficient changes in state facilities to use more home-grown energy.

Attracting green jobs would help revitalize rural communities, where Entenza says the biggest export is their youth.

The DFL primary is August 10th and all three candidates see job creation as a major part of their campaign effort despite Minnesota's relatively better job position compared to the rest of the nation.