Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 4/16/21

State and local taxes and spending

Pine Journal: Minnesota budget battles ignite; court decision kicks lawmakers into action on rape law re-write

Star Tribune: Minnesota Legislature’s budget plans differ on how to address racial inequality

AM 1100: MN Gas Tax Could Rise

Minn Post: As budget discussions get under way, Minnesota’s divided Legislature stakes out its positions

Pioneer Press: MN House Democrats unveil $1 billion public construction plan

KTOE: MN House Democrats unveil $1B bonding proposal

Twin Cities Business: Taxing You for the Government-Mandated Shutdown

Finance & Commerce: Report: C-I taxes ‘burdensome’

Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota Democrats urge a halt to negotiations ‘until the budget says Black lives matter’

Economic development

Duluth News Tribune: Reader’s View: Enbridge working well with Minnesota’s tribes

Star Tribune: Local View: Copper mining threatens Northeastern Minnesota’s ‘good stuff’

Labor market

Hometown Focus: Minnesota’s unemployment rate dips to 4.3 percent

Mankato Free Press: Job prospects improve this year for graduating students

KPVI: Some Minnesota businesses report hiring problems, citing enhanced unemployment benefits

KROC: Minnesota Has Regained 225,000 Jobs Lost in COVID Shutdown 

Star Tribune: Construction hiring added speed to Minnesota’s jobs comeback last month

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Unemployment rate continues to fall in Minnesota due to declining labor force participation and job gains

Agriculture

KEYC: Minnesota agriculture groups invest in biofuels

Ag Week: Ag omnibus bills include support for Minnesota farmers

Alexandria Echo Press: Agriculture budget bill will help meat processors, provide jobs, improve broadband, says Sen. Torrey Westrom

Economic growth

Finance & Commerce: Minnesota on the Mend: Resilient Mankato rides out virus

KEYC: Breweries hit hard in Minnesota during the pandemic

Crookston Times: Minnesota Chamber: ‘Do no harm to businesses that are already struggling’

Star Tribune: Minnesota firms have raised $287M in venture capital this year

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