Thank you Star Tribune for urging Gov. Dayton to ‘keep the greater good in mind’ and sign the ‘protest’ bill

The Star Tribune should be commended (again!) for their May 19 editorial urging Gov. Dayton to sign the bill enhancing penalties for protesters who block highways or airports.  I say “again” because the Star Tribune previously editorialized in support of this cause 15 months ago, and I thanked them here.  [Star Tribune photo.] Saturday’s newspaper editorial was titled, “Protesters go too far in blocking highways,” but the online headline was much stronger and to the point: “Protesters endanger themselves and others when blocking highways: Dayton should sign bill that would increase penalties.”  I hope Gov. Dayton and his advisers see...

Dayton Likely to Quash Met Council Reforms Again

Most of the focus on potential gubernatorial vetoes concerns the tax and spending bills just sent to Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk. Yet another measure before the governor also faces a likely veto for the second year in a row. A bill to shake up the Metropolitan Council passed with bipartisan support. But the Star Tribune reports Dayton will probably continue to shield the most powerful unelected regional government in the country from becoming more transparent and responsive to taxpayers. “It goes to the point of representation and accountability,” said Rep. Tony Albright, R-Prior Lake, the House author. “Right now the...

Wisconsin under Scott Walker beat Minnesota by many economic measures

This op-ed appeared May 21, 2018 in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  There’s an old saying where I’m from: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The recent report by the Economic Policy Institute comparing the economic records of Wisconsin and Minnesota since Governors Scott Walker and Mark Dayton took office in January 2011, is a case in point. It was seized upon by people, including a columnist for this news organization, who saw it as vindicating things they already believed. But just as you should never buy a car without checking under the hood, you should...

AMERICAN EXPERIMENT BOOK SHELF

Candace Owens’ American Experiment Speech Continues to Create Buzz

Candace Owens visited Minnesota for only a day, but the ripple effect of her dynamic speech at American Experiment’s May 8 forum continues to reverberate over a week later. Minnesota Public Radio broadcast Owens’ talk twice across the statewide network this week under the headline of “Candace Owens’ Journey to Conservatism.” (Audio here) Candace Owens, 28 years old, believes culture and politics mix in interesting ways, and the left has had a “stranglehold on culture.” She added, “whoever controls culture controls politics.” Once considering herself a Democrat, she “had the feeling something had gone amiss in the black community. We’ve...

The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

It was a glorious morning in Windsor, England for the wedding of Prince Harry and American actress, Meghan Markle.

Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 5/18/17

A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.

Happy Twin Cities Bike to Work Day! Your Bike Ride is Environmentally Meaningless

Biking to work is a great way to get exercise, but some people think it will save the planet. Here's the guide for debunking that theory in case you have a co-worker who gets a little too preachy about their cycling habits...