Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 3/2/17
State finances
Northfield News: Taxes take center stage during 2018 MN legislative session
Pioneer Press: Minnesota’s $329 million surplus erases previous shortfall concerns
MPR News: Minnesota budget back in black: $329M surplus forecast
Woodbury Bulletin: Federal tax bill helps push Minnesota budget into surplus
Albert Lea Tribune: Minnesota’s $329M surplus erases previous deficit worries
St Cloud Times: Republicans tout tax cuts as Minnesota goes from expected deficit to surplus
Grand Rapids Herald Review: Federal tax bill helps push Minnesota budget into surplus
The Daily Journal: Projected $329 million surplus puts lawmakers at ease in Minnesota
Minn Post: ‘Limited’ surplus means tough decisions ahead for Minnesota lawmakers
See our commentary on this here and here.
Economic development
Duluth News Tribune: ‘Stability’ not enough for Duluth jobs; aging population isn’t being replaced on pace
Grand Rapids Herald Review: The Iron Range is rich in many natural resources, including a natural appreciation for the arts
MPR News: Conversations on the Creative Economy: Women leaders in business
MPR News: Auditor: Little evidence of returns on Minnesota business aid fund
Mesabi Daily News: MDI: investing in employees, and Hibbing
City Pages: Bloomberg gushes over the Twin Cities’ convention-defying economy
Echo Press: Chamber sets legislative priorities on taxes, regulation
KIMT: Journey to growth
See our commentary on this here.
Trade
Duluth News Tribune: Our View: Get it right on NAFTA renegotiation
Business North: Minnesota exports climb 6 percent during Q4
Business North: Minnesota iron contributes to increased state exports
MPR News: Three questions facing MN in wake of steel, aluminum tariffs
State rankings
West Central Tribune: Minnesota, North Dakota rank among top five states in the nation, U.S. News and World Report says
Fox 9: Minnesota ranked 2nd best state in nation, behind Iowa
City Pages: Report: Minnesota is great, but Iowa is better
KIMT 3: Iowa and Minnesota ranked two ‘best states in the U.S.’
Fox 21: Minnesota Named #2 Best State in the Nation
MPR News: Best-state ranking masks a distressing reality for Minnesota
See our commentary on this here.
Labor market
MPR News: Major wage hike gets skeptical reception among St. Paul business leaders
Minn Post: Prevalence of low-wage jobs: A Minnesota wake-up call
Minn Post: Stickin’ it to the union: What the Janus case means for organized labor in Minnesota
Star Tribune: Judge upholds Minneapolis’ $15 minimum wage ordinance
Rochester Post Bulletin: Judge upholds $15 minimum wage ordinance in Minneapolis
KSTP: Judge Rules for Minneapolis in Minimum Wage Challenge
See our commentary on this here.
Economic growth
Star Tribune: Minnesota and Midwest manufacturers continue gains
Rochester Post Bulletin: Midwest economy: February state-by-state glance
Finance & Commerce: Midwest business conditions index up in February
Rochester Post Bulletin: Report: Midwest business conditions index rose in February
Fairmont Sentinel: Midwest economy improves
See our commentary on this here.
John Phelan is an economist at Center of the American Experiment.