As we talk about “jobs bills,’’ let’s ask some basic ques­tions.

● Does the proposal help create conditions in which private enterprise can flourish, both in the immediate future and in the long run?

On this score, our preference is for benefits that apply to all businesses, rather than aim at a specific sector. Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission recommended repealing the state’s corporate income tax while broadening the state sales tax to include more products and servic­es. We do not always oppose narrower tax benefits but prefer breaks that apply broadly.

Are they talking about the Fair Tax?