Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 12/28/18
Federal, state, and local taxes
Star Tribune: IRS pursues tax fraud in Minnesota with fewer resources
Brainerd Dispatch: Lake Shore: Residents’ city taxes to soar to fund road improvements
Bemidji Pioneer: Bemidji spending mirrors other cities
Mesabi Daily News: County expects some tax bills to decrease after passing budget
Duluth News Tribune: Economist’s View: High taxes sap Minnesota’s productivity, economic growth
Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota’s gas tax hike debate renewed. Will this be the year?
Fox 9: Government shutdown will affect workers, taxpayers in Minnesota
Pioneer Press: Rumble ahead over road funding: raise the gas tax or use existing cash?
MPR News: Tax pros warn Minnesotans to prepare for headaches as tax prep begins
Mankato Free Press: Mankato not counting on online sales tax windfall
Sun Current: Richfield residents will see 5.3 percent increase in school property tax
Labor market
Star Tribune: Minnesota’s jobless rate stays at 2.8% as job growth slows
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Minnesota’s unemployment rate holds at 2.8% in November; here’s who’s hiring and firing
Finance & Commerce: Minnesota construction employment holds steady
St. Peter Herald: Minnesota has low unemployment, high Medicaid rate
Minn Post: Minnesota’s supply of licensed alcohol and drug counselors isn’t meeting employer demand
Wahepton Daily News: Unemployment rate in Minnesota remains at 2.8 percent
Star Tribune: Labor crunch in Twin Cities adds up to homebuilding delays, higher costs
Owatonna People’s Press: Jobless rate dips slightly across the region
Mining
CBS 3: Politicians, organizations release statements on PolyMet permits
Wadena Pioneer Journal: New economic project aims to help Wadena County businesses
Economic development
Watchdog: Minnesota’s high marks in best-run states study mask challenges ahead, officials say
Agriculture
WNAX: Minnesota Farmers Union Wants Depressed Farm Income Focus in Legislative Session
John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.