Two weeks ago, I wrote a post regarding two studies that ranked Minnesota as one of the least free states in the country. I got an interesting response from a…
For a few months now, a common theme in the local media is that the inflation rate in the Twin Cities is lower than in comparable metropolitan areas. In October,…
State and local taxes and spending KFGO: Preliminary numbers show an average of a 7.3% property tax increase in Minnesota next year Wadena Pioneer Journal: County board receives update on…
State and local taxes and spending Brainerd Dispatch: Beltrami County passes local sales tax to fund new jail by huge margin Pioneer Press: Progressives continue notching victories in St. Paul…
When we talk about taxes and regulations, and how they affect the economy, it is easy to get caught up in the numbers on things like GDP and overlook the…
Minnesota’s media is cock-a-hoop over the latest jobs numbers: WCCO: Minnesota reached record 3 million jobs in October Star Tribune: More than 3 million Minnesotans worked in October, the highest total ever…
Last week, the Fraser Institute published its annual Economic Freedom of North America report. The new edition, which looks at data from 2021, ranked Minnesota among the least free states…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seemingly at war with Amazon. In September, the FTC, along with 17 state attorney generals, filed a lawsuit alleging that Amazon engages in actions…
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its numbers for inflation in October today and they showed inflation slowing from September’s rate of 0.4% to 0.0%, or no change in the Consumer…
State and local taxes and spending WCCO: St. Paul voters to weigh in on sales tax increase to fix roads Kare 11: St. Paul voters weigh sales tax for roads,…
Despite the constant reassurances from local media and elected officials, activity in the inner core of the state’s largest city is not returning to pre-pandemic levels. We were told in…
State and local taxes and spending Willmar Radio: Stearns County voters will be asked to approve local option sales tax for new jail Star Tribune: Minn. legislators say they’ve expanded…
A core argument of advocates for higher legal minimum wages is that the increase in the price of labor which they propose will not to lead to a fall in…
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022, about 44 percent of all workers aged 25 and over had a bachelor’s degree or higher. But in…
It is no coincidence that it was a Minnesotan, Sinclair Lewis, who popularized the word “Boosterism” in his 1922 novel Babbitt. As I’ve noted before, much of the state’s media is constantly…
State and local taxes and spending KNSI: Minnesota’s budget surplus grows to a projected $2.4 billion, fueling debate over spending Kare 11: Minnesota budget surplus estimate tops $2 billion Rochester…
On October 18, the St. Paul City Council approved a major overhaul of the city’s zoning code, effectively ending single-family zoning in St. Paul. Specifically, zoning changes will consolidate the…
In December last year, I wrote about newly released Census Bureau data which showed that, on net, Minnesota lost more residents to other parts of the United States in 2021-2022…
State and local taxes and spending Spokesman-Recorder: New sales tax increase funds transportation, housing Rochester Post Bulletin: Letter: Rochester, RPS referenda are excessive tax asks Rochester Post Bulletin: Letter: Benefits…
This week I’ve been writing about a recent report by labor market analytics firm Lightcast titled “Minnesota’s Vanishing Workforce.” It is worth reading and echoes our 2019 report, “Minnesota’s Workforce…
On Monday, writing about Minnesota’s supposed labor shortage, I noted that our state’s birthrate has held up relatively well. On Tuesday, I wrote about how data show that Minnesota’s employment has…
Yesterday, writing about Minnesota’s supposed labor shortage, I noted that our state’s birthrate has held up relatively well. But, as a recent report by labor market analytics firm Lightcast titled…
Last week, I wrote about how Minnesota is one of 13 states which still haven’t regained their pre-COVID-19 employment numbers. This is in the context of ongoing concerns about a…
State and local taxes and spending Albert Lea Tribune: Senate Report: Government must be more thoughtful when spending the people’s money Star Tribune: St. Paul’s sales tax: Minnesota Miracle 2.0?…