INDIANAPOLIS -- Congressman Marlin Stutzman was the latest Indiana official to meet with Carrier executives – and the latest to be told the company's plans aren't changing.
Stutzman, a Republican, met with executives from United Technologies, Carrier's parent company, on Wednesday to talk about the 1,400 jobs the business will move from Indianapolis to Mexico.
"While it is clear that cheaper wages played a part in informing the decision, it is also evident that it is the federal tax and regulatory environment that pressed them to look for these bottom line cuts to remain competitive," Stutzman said, Let me be clear, these reasons make it no less bitter of a pill to swallow. But we know Indiana remains a great place to do business. However, their decision does underscore the need for a complete regulatory and tax overhaul in this country. If companies cannot compete in a state like Indiana, we are left with no other choice. Top down federal energy policy 'at all costs' is not the solution going forward."
Democratic Sen. Joe Donelly has argued repeatedly the company is only chasing $3-an-hour wages from Mexican workers. He points to the company's 20 percent growth and $7 billion profit last year, as well as a conference call in which Carrier President Bob McDonough said the company was expecting even more growth this year.
MORE | Carrier president: Company expecting more growth this year
Like others who've met with Carrier, Stutzman said he "insisted … on the need to pay back all tax incentives to the state."
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett rolled out a plan this week that would see some $1.2 million in tax incentives awarded to Carrier used for job training and placement for the workers the company will leave behind.
FULL COVERAGE | Hogsett calls on Carrier to return $1.2M within 30 days | Union president: 'We're not going away quietly' | Carrier employees protest move at statehouse| Pence on Carrier meeting: 'I don't want to create any false hope for people' | Moving to Mexico: What you need to know about Monterrey, Mexico | Moving to Mexico: On the ground in Monterrey, Mexico, where Carrier is moving Trump weights in on Carrier relocation to Mexico | Carrier: Company did not receive $5M in federal stimulus funds | President of United Steelworkers Union: No hope of saving 1,400 jobs | Carrier employees, local businesses reel after announcement of move to Mexico | WATCH: Employees react to news that Carrier is moving from Indy to Mexico | Pence to review Carrier's plans to move to Mexico | TRUMP: Carrier should be taxed for their goods after move to Mexico | Hogsett, Donnelly meet with Carrier workers | City, state stepping in to help Carrier employees | Indiana leaders ask Carrier for a meeting to try to keep the plant, jobs in the state
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