Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 11/8/19
State and local taxes and spending
The Center Square: Minnesota schools get 26.6% of their funds from local taxes, NEA reports
WCCO: ‘Tipping Point’: East Metro School District Seeks More Funding
Rochester Post Bulletin: Can’t tax this: State-owned land hits counties in their budgets
MPR News: New tax credit for ag land might help rural schools increase funding
MPR News: Paying for school is on the ballot this year across Minnesota
Southernminn.com: Paying for school is on the ballot this year across Minnesota
Kiplinger: 10 Least Tax-Friendly States for Retirees, 2019
MPR News: A lot of ‘yes’ in Minnesota school referendums
Minn Post: Expert: Recreational marijuana in Minnesota could bring in $300 million in taxes
St. Cloud Times: How are taxes shaping up in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne counties for next year?
Labor market
Wahepton Daily News: Labor participation rate at 70 percent
Produce Blue Book: Rising labor costs hit Midwest firms hard
Grand Forks Herald: Unemployment is climbing in key swing states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin
Marshall Independent: CareerForce strives to retain regional workers
Crow River Media: State labor market tightens
KEYC 12: Windom sees job growth as cost of living remains low
Mankato Free Press: Job vacancies hit another record high locally, statewide
Pine City Pioneer: Unemployment 3.2% in Pine County
Economic growth
Business North: Chamber Foundation launches forward-looking study of Minnesota’s economy Leading economic experts advising ‘Minnesota: 2030’
Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal: How are we doing? Minnesota Chamber Foundation study will chart state’s prospects
WNAX: Mid America Economy Showing Signs of a Rebound
Star Tribune: After two months of declines, index shows Minnesota and Midwest manufacturing return to growth
WCCO: Midwest Economic Growth Slightly Rebounds, Survey Suggests
WDIO: Business Leaders Hear Update on Regional Economy
Finance & Commerce: Survey suggests slight rebound in Midwest economic growth
Bismarck Tribune: And the survey says: Rockier ag economy
Minn Post: Even after St. Cloud Electrolux closure, Minnesota’s manufacturing economy isn’t all bad news
Economic development
Duluth News Tribune: An Economist’s Column: Mining or the environment is a false choice; we can have both
Grand Forks Herald: Letter: Enbridge pipeline needed in Minnesota
Finance & Commerce: Sustainable: Opportunity zones could boost clean energy
Winona Post: Promising careers in the trades
Duluth News Tribune: In Response Column: Dismissing projects like Twin Metals ignores history, today’s reality
Trade
Brainerd Dispatch: Minnesota businesses take $632M hit from ongoing trade wars
Agriculture
Knox News Radio: Walz – Agricultural disaster
John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.