Hiring teenagers today

In today’s super-tight labor market, employers are increasingly turning to teen-aged workers to fill the gaps in their labor force. The Wall Street Journal highlighted this trend—and the surprising successes it has spawned—in a recent article headlined “Facing Historic Labor Shortages, Companies Snap Up Teenagers.”

Twin City Hardware hires employees before positions open

[Photo Source: TCH] Twin City Hardware (TCH) is one of many Minnesota companies that has struggled to find qualified workers. But in the last few years, the Oakdale-based manufacturer of doors, frames, hardware and security-related products has adopted an innovative approach and experienced startling success.

Overturning ‘fair share’ union fees would restore balance

Many public employees object to union policies. The Supreme Court is in a position to overturn a requirement of “fair share” fees.  This op-ed originally appeared in the Star Tribune on June 21, 2018. Minnesota law requires public employees to fund unions even when they are not a member and they object to union policies. Once certified, unions get the revenue just for showing up; the state even collects the dues, at no charge. What would happen if public-sector unions like Education Minnesota had to earn revenue from teachers and other public employees? We may soon find out. The U.S....

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Will the High Court Stop Forced Union Fees for Public Employees?

We are standing by live right now to see if the Supreme Court rules in favor of restoring the First Amendment rights of public employees; in Janus v Afscme, the Court has been asked to overturn a 1977 decision that forces them to pay agency fees to a union.  If the Court does not rule today, it could rule Friday, or next Monday--or another day next week. But it will rule by June 29. 

The Inside Story: American Experiment Attends Trump’s Mining and Trade Policy Roundtable in Duluth

What did the President say at the mining and trade roundtable in Duluth yesterday? Click here to find out.

Legalized Marijuana is Putting a Generation of Kids at Risk.  Will Minnesota Follow Colorado?

Admittedly I may not be the best person to write about this topic as my personal experience in this area is limited to two thinly-related events in my life.  As a seven-year-old I took one of my grandma’s smokes into the car but couldn’t figure out how to make the non-flame cigarette lighter light the cigarette.  I ended up producing a flame by lighting a Wrigley’s silver gum wrapper and only succeeded in burning my fingers.  In middle school when classmates were starting to chew tobacco, I tried to demonstrate a better, safer way toward full flavor by bringing a...

MN High Court Rules for Citizens Fighting Bloomington on Garbage

A citizen watchdog group just handed the city of Bloomington an embarrassing loss at the Minnesota Supreme Court. The case started over the rights of residents of the Twin Cities suburb to choose their own garbage hauler. But more broadly the unanimous 6-0 ruling upholds the standing of citizens in home rule charter cities to bring petitions and place legislation on the ballot apart from and in opposition to the city council. I wrote about their Hands Off Our Cans campaign several times over the course of their three year effort to hold elected officials in Bloomington accountable to the...