Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 1/29/21
Economic development
Duluth News Tribune: Local View: Line 3 work already boosting bottom lines across northern Minnesota
Star Tribune: Dueling mining measures float Twin Metals future in Congress
Bemidji Pioneer: Minnesota announces $20 million in grants for broadband projects
KSTP: DEED to award over $20M in grants for broadband development program
KEYC: Minnesota makes $54 million investment to improve rural broadband
State and local taxes and spending
WCCO: Reopen Businesses, No New Taxes: Senate GOP Releases 2021 List Of Legislative Priorities
International Falls Journal: Bakk introduces bipartisan small business tax relief bill
Star Tribune: Gov. Tim Walz’s budget aims to address COVID’s uneven impact
KSTP: Walz to emphasize COVID-19 recovery in next 2-year budget
KAALTV: Gov. Walz to propose 2-year budget focused on COVID-19 recovery
Sun Sailor: Senate District 46 legislators consider uncertain budget situation during 2021 session
Pioneer Press: Here’s a closer look at Walz’s tax plan
WCCO: Gov. Walz To Emphasize COVID-19 Recovery In Next 2-Year Budget
Willmar Radio: Lang says tax increase will make bad tax situation in Minnesota even worse
KAAL TV: Walz shows support for small business and schools in COVID-19 recovery budget
WCCO: Gov. Walz’s 2-Year, $52B Budget Proposal Calls For Income Tax Hike For Those Earning $1M+
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Walz budget plan includes tax hikes for big companies, forgivable loans for small ones
KTOE: Democrats renew push for statewide family/medical leave
Kare 11: Gov. Walz unveils budget plan for 2022-23 biennium
KTOE: Walz in state budget proposes income tax increases for wealthiest, most profitable corporations
WCCO: Some Question Whether Hike On Cigarette, Vape Taxes Would Be Reliable Revenue Source
Fox 21: Duluth Groups, Businesses Weigh in Proposed Tax Increase on Smoking and Tobacco Products
Alexandria Echo Press: More than $4.3 million in broadband grants coming to Douglas County area
Voice of Alexandria: Governor Walz Announces 39 New Border-to-Border Broadband Grants
Labor market
Waseca County News: Minnesota lost nearly 50,000 jobs in December with pandemic rules in place
Hometown Focus: State unemployment rate drops to 4.4 percent in December
West Central Tribune: Rural Minnesota still copes with labor shortage as unemployment rises in pandemic
Grand Rapids Herald Review: Minnesota’s Unemployment Rate at 4.4% in December
Faribault Daily News: Report: pandemic exacerbates greater Minnesota’s workforce challenges
Star Tribune: COVID takes bite out of Minnesota health care labor market
Minn Post: Number of health care workers in Minnesota declines amid pandemic
Economic growth
WCCO: State’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.