After the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its latest inflation numbers, one thing was noticeably picked up by both local and national media. This is the fact that BLS…
State and local taxes and spending Kittson County Enterprise: Governor Walz Announces Payments of up to $1,300 Will Begin This Week Minn Post: Downtowns, including St. Paul and Minneapolis, turning…
When CNBC announced recently that they had ranked Minnesota fifth on their annual “America’s Top States for Business” ranking, the state’s media went wild. No less excited were our state’s political leaders,…
Last week, I noted that per capita GDP has grown more slowly in Minnesota than nationally in every year since 2014, that median household incomes in Minnesota have grown more…
Last week, I noted that median household income in Minnesota has grown more slowly than nationally in six of the last seven years. Nevertheless, it remains above national average. One…
State and local taxes and spending Bring Me the News: Here’s a look at St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s 2024 budget proposal KROC: Minnesota Starts Fiscal Year With Higher Than…
I’ve struck a pessimistic note about Minnesota’s economy this week. I’ve noted that Minnesota’s economy — even in per capita terms — has grown more slowly than the United States’ economy generally in…
Recently I have written about how Minnesota’s economy — even in per capita terms — has grown more slowly than the United States’ economy generally every year since 2014. But…
Back in May, I noted that Minnesota’s economy has grown more slowly than the national average in every year since 2014. One respondent wrote: “Figures don’t lie, but liars sure…
My great-aunt smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and died in her mid-80s. Does this prove that smoking isn’t harmful? Of course not. Longevity is affected by many things.…
State and local taxes and spending Minnesota Reformer: Cheap insulin, expanded tax credits and other benefits now available for undocumented Minnesotans Winona Post: Winona County OKs first tax increase for…
During the last legislative session, the Minnesota House and Senate managed to pass a bill so wacky that it was too much even for Governor Walz. The bill required that…
When I have pointed out the record numbers of Minnesotans fleeing the state in recent years, one of the standard responses has been: …something like “breaking news: old people are leaving…
Labor market KROX: Minnesota labor force grows for four straight months KRWC: Wright County Unemployment Up in June, New High for Available Labor Force in Nearly Three Years KPVI: Metros…
Labor market Fergus Now: Job Growth Continues Across Minnesota Detroit Lakes Tribune: More Minnesotans have joined the workforce Star Tribune: New group will advise Gov. Tim Walz on what to…
It is ludicrous enough already that people are seriously touting Minnesota as the fifth-best state for business, but the situation is about to get even worse with the imposition of…
Arguing that payday loans are exploitative, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law restricting interest rates charged on such loans. But as it turns out, that has had some negative consequences.…
The Twin Cities have an affordable housing problem as the result of excessive taxes, fees, and regulations that effectively make it illegal to build affordable housing there. Occasionally, when I…
State and local taxes and spending KROC: Minnesota Fiscal Year Revenues Beat Forecast by a Half Billion $ KSTP: St. Paul voters to mull property, sales tax increases over next…
The 2023 legislative session saw a torrent of mostly bad policy passed into law. Gov. Walz, among others, called the session “Transformational” and I would not disagree. As I wrote…
Yesterday I wrote about how CNBC’s much heralded rankings of “America’s Top States for Business” actually told you very little that was useful about which American states really are top…
Minnesota’s media is always on the lookout for good news stories about the state, which might explain the coverage given to our ranking of 5th in CNBC’s annual “America’s Top…
It should be common sense, especially to our policymakers, that raising the price of one product or banning it induces consumers to shift to a cheaper alternative. Unfortunately, it isn’t.…
State and local taxes and spending Kare 11: Oops: A multi-million dollar mistake needs to be fixed in Minnesota’s tax law Minn Post: Error in tax bill would cost Minnesota…