Minnesota’s Economic News – W/E 4/30/21

State and local taxes and spending

The Neighbor: Minnesota House passes plan to raise high-earner taxes, exempt some PPP loans and unemployment benefits

Duluth News Tribune: Statewide View: House tax plan would hurt families, undermine economic recovery

Minn Post: Minnesota House passes tax plan

Grand Forks Herald: Our view: It’s time for Minnesota lawmakers to fix the state’s PPP mess

Brainerd Dispatch: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce continues its call for state to end PPP taxation

The Globe: Letter: Now is not the time for raising taxes

The Center Square: Minnesota firms would pay a combined corporate tax rate of 35.1% under Biden plan

Grand Forks Herald: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce commits to voicing concern over issues on U.S.-Canada border

WDIO: As Hollywood productions pick up again, film tax credit bills could bring filmmakers to MN

Twin Cities Business: Minnesota historic rehabilitation tax credit saved Dayton’s building, Schmidt brewery. Now it needs saving.

KTOE: Measure in MN Senate GOP tax bill would ban taxes on food, packaging, plastic bags

KTOE: MN Senate to debate tax bill, big battle with House still ahead

Brainerd Dispatch: Tax relief, proposed hikes at the fore as Minnesota legislators start to hammer out tax bill

Duluth News Tribune: Our View: End distasteful tax on COVID-19 relief

Minn Post: Why Minnesota House Democrats keeping talking about 2019 at the 2021 legislative session

KXRA: GOP-Controlled Minnesota Senate Passes Tax Bill Without Increases

KROC: Report Suggests Minnesota Budget Surplus Continues to Grow |

Labor market

International Falls Journal: Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticks down in March; Logging, mining shows strength

WCCO: Punch Pizza Announces $15 Starting Wage And Other Career Incentives

Twin Cities Business: Will Hospitality Workers Get Their Jobs Back?

KAAL TV: Unemployment rates fall statewide for third month in a row

Grand Rapids Herald Review: Unemployment rate ticks down in March

Yahoo News: Minnesota pizzeria estimates $500K in losses for $15 wage

Star Tribune: A new unemployment problem: it pays too well

Albert Lea Tribune: Job vacancies bounce back above 127,000 in fourth quarter 2020 across Minnesota

Star Tribune: As Duluth’s economy reopens, where are the workers?

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Even after disruptive year, software firms’ biggest challenge is still hiring

Economic development

St. Cloud Times: Boost Minnesota’s economy, free up inventions

Grand Forks Herald: $1.67 million from Job Creation Fund to help six businesses in Minnesota

Economic growth

KSTP: Some Twin Cities business making pandemic pivot indicative of an economic recovery

International Falls Journal: Minnesota economic recovery outlined in new report

Finance & Commerce: Minnesota on the Mend: Moorhead looks to bounce back

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