Press Release - Oberstar Must Explain Northeastern Minnesota's 30-year Lag in Jobs

Oberstar Must Explain Northeastern Minnesota's 30-year Lag in Jobs

DULUTH --- For over 30 years, the policies and initiatives of Rep. Jim Oberstar have resulted in dramatic population and job losses that have led to a fact that threatens the area's future: the biggest export from northern Minnesota is our children.

"When our children graduate from college, we need to give them road maps with their diplomas," said Senator Grams. "Northeastern Minnesota has a 30-year history of appallingly low job growth compared to the rest of the state and the only message Oberstar has delivered is that the best years are yet to come."

In just the last five years, cities similar in size to Duluth like Sioux Falls and Fargo have each created 14 times the number of jobs as Duluth. Even when Minnesota topped the nation with 13,181 new jobs for the year, the 8th District lost 2,173.

These numbers are from the U.S. Department of Commerce which state that since 1975, Duluth's job growth was 77% slower than the rest of Minnesota.

"Northern Minnesota used to be one of Minnesota's strongest economies. Since Oberstar entered Congress it has become Minnesota's weakest," said Senator Grams. "Jim will tell you that job creation in northern Minnesota is a pipe dream of those with vast imaginations. Nobody deserves to have a congressman with such a negative, defeatist attitude.

"This district needs a turnaround, and it starts with new political leadership," said Senator Grams. "This district deserves to have a representative who comes home and listens to the voters and works overtime, not part-time."

http://www.rodgrams2006.com/News/11.02.06_jobs.htm