Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 1/29/21

Economic development

Duluth News TribuneLocal View: Line 3 work already boosting bottom lines across northern Minnesota

Star TribuneDueling mining measures float Twin Metals future in Congress

Bemidji PioneerMinnesota announces $20 million in grants for broadband projects

KSTPDEED to award over $20M in grants for broadband development program

KEYCMinnesota makes $54 million investment to improve rural broadband

State and local taxes and spending

WCCOReopen Businesses, No New Taxes: Senate GOP Releases 2021 List Of Legislative Priorities

International Falls JournalBakk introduces bipartisan small business tax relief bill

Star TribuneGov. Tim Walz’s budget aims to address COVID’s uneven impact

KSTPWalz to emphasize COVID-19 recovery in next 2-year budget

KAALTVGov. Walz to propose 2-year budget focused on COVID-19 recovery

Sun SailorSenate District 46 legislators consider uncertain budget situation during 2021 session

Pioneer Press: Here’s a closer look at Walz’s tax plan

Fox 9Walz budget hikes taxes on Minnesota’s top earners, adds funding for schools and riot-damaged businesses

WCCOGov. Walz To Emphasize COVID-19 Recovery In Next 2-Year Budget

Willmar RadioLang says tax increase will make bad tax situation in Minnesota even worse

KAAL TVWalz shows support for small business and schools in COVID-19 recovery budget

WCCOGov. Walz’s 2-Year, $52B Budget Proposal Calls For Income Tax Hike For Those Earning $1M+

Minn PostWalz’s budget: more support for those hit hardest by pandemic; more taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business JournalWalz budget plan includes tax hikes for big companies, forgivable loans for small ones

KTOEDemocrats renew push for statewide family/medical leave

Kare 11Gov. Walz unveils budget plan for 2022-23 biennium

KTOEWalz in state budget proposes income tax increases for wealthiest, most profitable corporations

WCCOSome Question Whether Hike On Cigarette, Vape Taxes Would Be Reliable Revenue Source

Fox 21Duluth Groups, Businesses Weigh in Proposed Tax Increase on Smoking and Tobacco Products

Alexandria Echo PressMore than $4.3 million in broadband grants coming to Douglas County area

Voice of AlexandriaGovernor Walz Announces 39 New Border-to-Border Broadband Grants

Labor market

Waseca County NewsMinnesota lost nearly 50,000 jobs in December with pandemic rules in place

Hometown FocusState unemployment rate drops to 4.4 percent in December

West Central TribuneRural Minnesota still copes with labor shortage as unemployment rises in pandemic

Grand Rapids Herald ReviewMinnesota’s Unemployment Rate at 4.4% in December

Faribault Daily NewsReport: pandemic exacerbates greater Minnesota’s workforce challenges

Star Tribune: COVID takes bite out of Minnesota health care labor market

Minn PostNumber of health care workers in Minnesota declines amid pandemic

Economic growth

WCCOState’s hotels in dire need of help or may be forced to close

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