Peter J. Nelson
- Hide Bio
Peter J. Nelson is our Director of Public Policy. He devotes most of his time researching and writing on a range of policy issues, including health care, energy, state budgets, and state governance. Peter regularly consults with state policy makers on these issues and contributes commentaries to the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and other local newspapers across Minnesota. Peter received his B.A. in economics from Wheaton College and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School where he was a member of the Minnesota Law Review.
Peter J. Nelson's Archive
May 15, 2013
A number of proposals to implement new energy mandates on electric utilities and their consumers are quickly moving through the Minnesota legislature in the final days of the legislative session. Ironically, the solar and other energy mandates, despite finding a home in the jobs bill, will cost Minnesota jobs.
May 9, 2013
Proposals to expand Minnesota’s renewable energy mandates will raise electricity prices on Minnesota families and businesses. If electricity prices increase by a half cent to two cents per kilowatt hour, the loss of Minnesota jobs in just the manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors will likely amount to 12,000 to 49,000 jobs.
Apr 26, 2013
A new Center of the American Experiment report investigates an important question: Does state tax policy motivate people to leave or avoid Minnesota? Analysis of IRS income migration data reveal clear patterns of movement from Minnesota to lower tax states,which strongly suggest that taxes make a difference in where people and their incomes are moving. The implications for proposals to raise Minnesota tax rates is clear: Higher taxes will likely lead to even more wealth moving to other states.
Apr 23, 2013
Center of the American Experiment will soon release a report on the movement of people and their income to and from Minnesota. We are releasing this preview today to help inform tax policy discussions currently underway in St. Paul.
Apr 7, 2013
Gov. Dayton recently signed legislation passed on a party-line vote to require Minnesota to establish and operate a federal health insurance exchange, a key element of President Obama's health care law.
Mar 18, 2013
In their Sunday editorial, the Pioneer Press highlights American Experiment's recently released report on state spending, "Minnesota Spending 101."
Mar 14, 2013
.jpg)
This report provides vital information to help understand and evaluate state spending. The report highlights the need need for spending restraint, evaluates state spending trends, compares state spending to other state, and estimates would state spending would have been if, in the past, it had been restrained to inflation plus population growth.
Mar 8, 2013
House File 880 proposes to modify the state’s Renewable Energy Mandate primarily by increasing the percentage of renewables required and by requiring a specific percentage to come from solar.
Feb 18, 2013
As the key months for implementing the Affordable Care Act begin, 30 governors are resisting key provisions of the law. But these leaders don't need to act just as a phalanx of opposition; if they work with President Obama and Obama works with them, they can change the law's future for the better.
Feb 10, 2013
American Experiment offer key recommendations on building a state budget to promote prosperity for all Minnesotans. These include recommendations on redesigning the state’s budget process. A fiscally sound budget process should institutionalize spending restraint, prioritization, performance review, efficiency, accountability, and transparency.