Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 15/8/18

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

PolyMet Land Swap to Close June 28

PolyMet Mining Co. this morning said it has received notice from the U.S. Forest Service that the land exchange for the company's proposed mine north of Hoyt Lakes will officially close June 28, giving PolyMet title to the mine site.

‘It’s going to be a mess’ come tax season – CPAs speak out on Gov. Dayton’s parting gift to Minnesotans

Gov. Dayton's veto of the tax bill means higher taxes and more complexity for Minnesotans next tax season. He will have left office by then, but, as you're struggling with your taxes in 2019, remember who to thank. 

AMERICAN EXPERIMENT BOOK SHELF

St Paul Schools hire principal with an interesting resume: Misused State Funds, Drunk Driving Arrests

Superintendent Joe Gothard said in an interview that he was unaware of the audit when he picked Dutrieuille as principal of the grades K-8 Hazel Park Preparatory Academy on the East Side. Gothard said he’s since reviewed the audit and has no concerns. Besides the questionable spending, Dutrieuille faced drunk driving charges four times between 1993 and 1999. Gothard said he was unaware of Dutrieuille’s drunk driving arrests.

“I Like My Hands. They are My Work.”

What is it about working with one’s hands that can be so satisfying, even joyous in quiet ways?  Here are four satisfying, even joyous excerpts from Making It Right: The Simple Philosophy of a Working Life, by Ole Thorstensen, a carpenter in Oslo.

Union Dues Used to Finance Political Advocacy Without Permission

It is no secret that public sector unions almost exclusively support one political party and its affiliates. The Center for Union Facts conducted new research that found from 2010 to 2017, more than $1.3 billion in member dues went to hundreds of liberal advocacy groups aligned with the Democratic Party, without prior member approval.

Dayton Reaffirms Minnesota’s Commitment to Foolish Paris Climate Accord Pledges

Yesterday, Governor Mark Dayton doubled down on committing Minnesota to the expensive and ineffective Paris Climate Accord. Don't you wish Governor Dayton would stop cheerleading irresponsible energy policies that increase electricity prices and make it harder for Minnesotans to put food on the table?