Article: Subsidies vs. job creation; Critics say tax breaks for Thomson West would merely underwrite lofty pay packages for corporate executives. More important, proponents say, the plan will open up high-paying jobs.(BUSINESS)

Byline: Pat Doyle; Staff Writer

Should the state give millions of dollars in tax breaks to a business that pays its top few executives a combined $25 million a year?

That question is being debated by legislators, an economist and academics regarding a request by the Eagan publishing firm Thomson West that was backed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The state Senate this week is considering a less expensive version.

The company says it needs state tax exemptions over four years for an expansion that will create 2,000 jobs, and it implies that it might expand somewhere else if Minnesota doesn't save it some taxes. But because the tax savings would represent ...

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