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.