Listening to Minnesotans

Town meetings extend CAE’s reach throughout Minnesota

Center of the American Experiment this fall presented the findings of its major research paper to two major regional centers. John Hinderaker, president, and Peter Nelson, vice president and senior policy fellow, presented Minnesota’s Economy: Mediocre Performance Threatens the State’s Future to town meetings in St. Cloud and Mankato.

The St. Cloud meeting was cosponsored by the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce and the Mankato session was cosponsored by Greater Mankato Growth.

“The Center’s mission is to bring our messages of opportunity, limited government and government accountability to all Minnesotans,” Hinderaker said.

“We are Minnesota’s think tank,” he added. “Not Minneapolis’s think tank, or the Twin Cities’ think tank. We are Minnesota’s think tank.”

Toward that end, Hinderaker said CAE has placed op-eds in 59 Minnesota newspapers so far this year, in the Twin Cities as well as in newspapers from Worthington to Duluth, from Moose Lake to Renville County.

“We want to bring our messages to all Minnesotans, wherever they live,” Hinderaker said.

“When possible, we deliver our messages in person.”

CAE is currently planning upcoming town meetings for Willmar, Rochester, Duluth, and Hibbing.

In addition, CAE is running 30-second issue ads on Minnesota’s economy on 37 radio stations in Greater Minnesota.

“Next year, we plan to expand our presence in Greater Minnesota even more,” Hinderaker said. “We are Minnesota’s think tank, and we want to cover every corner of the state.”