Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 1/31/20

State and local taxes and spending

Lake Superior NewsHow much of your gas tax comes back to Cook County?

The GlobeColumn: An in-depth look at public school funding

Bemidji PioneerCity green lights sales tax push at 2020 Legislature

Bemidji PioneerBemidji is ‘financially healthy,’ but challenges ahead

Star TribuneMinnesota lawmakers seek to limit cities’ growing use of sales taxes

KNSI: Minnesota lawmakers worry local sales taxes would be unfair

KVRRMoorhead Looks Into Raising Sales Tax To Fund Projects

Albert Lea TribuneMinnesota lawmakers worry local sales taxes would be unfair for retailers in state

Rochester Post BulletinWill short-term rental property taxes triple?

KNSI: City wants to increase sales tax

Economic development

Mankato Free PressOur View: Workforce Immigrants, refugees key to economic growth

Twin Cities BusinessTCB Q&A: Steve Grove, Minnesota’s Economic Development Czar

Agriculture

West Central TribuneMidwest Opinion: USMCA a bright start to new year for agriculture

Labor market

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business JournalMinnesota’s job growth all but halts in 2019; who’s hiring and firing?

Brainerd DispatchMinnesota Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.3%

Wahepton Daily NewsMinnesota’s unemployment rate holds at 3.3 percent in December

Economic growth

Alexandria Echo PressLocal economy proves resilient, but businesses struggle to fill jobs

Brainerd DispatchSnowfall impact on local economy sometimes positive

John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.