Political Notebook

Franken, Klobuchar and Walz urge IBM not to cut Roch jobs

DFL Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Tim Walz sent a letter to IBM Vice President Walter Ling today asking the company to reconsider its decision to move manufacturing jobs to Mexico and New York. Below is a copy of the letter.

March 12, 2013

Walter Ling, Vice President IBM

3605 Highway 52 North Rochester, MN 55901

Dear Walt,

We write regarding the recent announcement that IBM plans to transfer manufacturing of its Power Systems, PureSystems and PureFlex Systems servers to Guadalajara, Mexico later this year. This decision will result in job loss for approximately 200 full-time workers in Rochester, Minnesota. As the third largest industry in the state, manufacturing is a direct and indirect source of good paying jobs and a major driver of innovation. We believe that southern Minnesotans comprise one of the most capable, educated, and productive workforces in the world and they stand ready to assist as American manufacturing makes a comeback. It is our hope that IBM will reconsider its decision and keep jobs in Rochester as well as look at other ways the company can invest in its Rochester facility. Undoubtedly, this is an investment worth making.

Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Al Franken Representative Timothy J. Walz

A fiscal cliff deal just in time?

It's up to the Republican-controlled House to determine the fate of a last-minute deal to avoid the fiscal cliff.

The U.S. Senate passed the deal early this morning. The agreement, worked out between Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, would prevent taxes from being raised on individuals making less than $400,000 per year. It also delays for two months steep spending cuts that were scheduled to take effect in the new year.

The bill passed 89 to 8 in the Senate with both of Minnesota's DFL senators — Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar — voting yes. Below are statements released by the senators' offices.

Sen. Al Franken's statement:

“I voted for this bill because it contains a number of very important provisions, including tax cuts for working and middle-income Minnesotans, an extension of unemployment insurance for so many Americans who are looking for work, and the production tax credits that mean so much to our state’s renewable energy producers. And it was crucial to me that Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security beneficiaries were protected.

 “There are some provisions I most certainly don’t like, particularly those in the extension of the Farm Bill: cuts in conservation and energy, and the gutting of the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program. But I’ll continue to work to pass a five-year Farm Bill this year so that Minnesota’s ag community has the support and certainty it needs. 

“While I don’t think this package raises sufficient revenues toward paying down the debt or to make the investments in infrastructure, education, and research and development needed to grow our economy, I knew that no bill would have 100 percent of what I wanted, and I will continue to fight for the priorities that I believe will best serve Minnesota.” 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar's statement:

 “I voted for this compromise because the last thing we should be doing this New Year’s is sticking middle class families with a tax hike. I fought for and wanted a larger, more comprehensive plan that balanced revenues and spending cuts. I will continue to push for a broader plan to reduce our debt and give businesses and families the certainty they need.”