Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 7/20/18

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

Should the federal government really be putting the Packers on TV?

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is trying to get the 'Go Pack Go' Act through Congress. This would force cable, satellite and other TV providers to give customers in Wisconsin access to programming within their home state. Is this really something the federal government should be doing?

Summer Issue of Thinking Minnesota is out

The just-released summer issue of Thinking Minnesota makes a compelling case for how allowing more mining in northern Minnesota would give Minnesota’s economy a potent shot in the arm. In the cover story, Center policy fellows used a sophisticated economic modeling program to conclude that increased mining will produce 8500 jobs and bring in $3.7 billion to the state’s economy. On top of that Minnesotans appear to agree. In a related article, the quarterly Thinking Minnesota poll shows that Minnesotans agree. When told that mining would add $3.4 billion to the economy and create thousands of Minnesota jobs, respondents’ support...

AMERICAN EXPERIMENT BOOK SHELF

American Wind Energy Association Whiffs in Their Attack on Our Report

American Experiment's report "Energy Policy in Minnesota: The High Cost of Failure," must have the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) quivering in their boots. The national lobbying organization for Big Wind put out a blog post that attempted to refute our study... They failed spectacularly. 

Higher tax rates do not bring more revenue

The dollar amount of tax revenue seems far more likely to be a function of the size of the state's economy than of its tax rates. This means that if you want more money to fund government services, you are better off looking to increase the state's GDP than its tax rates. 

Minneapolis ponders new ID Card for Illegal Immigrants and other “Constituencies”

While the City Council and the Mayor may attempt to deflect on this issue, the same residents who can get a Minnesota State ID card would be able to obtain the municipal ID. The only difference with this card is that it would allow illegal immigrants to have a valid form of ID, as well.

Painter’s Stance on Mining is a Dumpster Fire

U.S. Senate candidate Richard Painter, who became famous for his dumpster fire ad, addressed a crowd of about 100 people in Ely, Minnesota on Tuesday, July 17th. Copper-nickel mining was one of the main topics of conversation at the event. Unfortunately, Painter's stance on the issue is, well, a dumpster fire.