In July 1921, the United States emerged from a depression. Though the economic statistics of the time were rudimentary by modern standards, the numbers confirm that it had been bad. By…
Minnesota’s craft brewers have been an economic success story over the last decade. According to the Brewer’s Association, there were 35 craft breweries operating statewide in 2011; in 2020, that…
Minnesota is struggling to create new businesses. In 2019, the state ranked 49th among the 50 states and D.C. for its rate of entrepreneurship per capita. And in the last…
When I wrote in the Star Tribune in April that ‘enhanced’ unemployment benefits were one factor explaining the puzzle of record job openings coexisting with elevated levels of unemployment, not…
CNBC reported the following today: People working minimum wage jobs full-time cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment in any state in the country, the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual “Out…
On July 9, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to increase competition in the U.S. economy. Citing heavy consolidation, Biden emphasized that his executive orders will save Americans from…
State and local taxes and spending Associated Press: Walz celebrates budget as House leaders credit ‘win-wins’ Southernminn.com: Legislature passes final budget bills Star Tribune: Minnesota’s new budget includes major spending…
June 27 saw the passing of economist Steven Horwitz at the age of 57. His loss will be felt by all who value not just human freedom and dignity, but…
Last weekend, the Star Tribune reported: This was going to be the big comeback summer for Minnesota’s tourism business. Freed from the limits placed on them last year during the…
Prices have been on the rise for all sorts of goods. Turns out, this trend might persist for a long time. About a week ago, the Wall Street Journal reported…
A month ago, there were more jobs open in Midwest than there were unemployed workers to fill them. “Midwest” might be a slightly awkward geographic entity to analyze but you…
Economic growth KPVI: Minnesota ranks 5th worst in new economic outlook analysis State and local taxes and spending Sun This Week: Burnsville will study ‘participatory budgeting’ Pioneer Press: With divided…
Earlier today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published employment numbers for June. And according to the data, Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 850,000 in June, and the unemployment…
Mississippi just became the latest state to pass a universal occupational licensing bill. This means that 12 states now recognize licenses from other states, making it easier and less burdensome…
When Chipotle raised its minimum wage to $15, it also hiked food prices by 4 percent. “It made sense in this scenario to invest in our employees and get these…
I have commented a few times recently on the puzzle of elevated numbers of unemployed Minnesotans at a time when there are large numbers of jobs available. This puzzle becomes…
State and local taxes and spending Star Tribune: Minnesota Legislature agrees to nearly $1 billion in tax cuts The Center Square: Minnesota liquor taxes fourteenth-highest in nation MPR News: Tax…
As data from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development (DEED) shows, Minnesota’s employment situation is improving. In May, the unemployment rate reached 4.0 percent, down from 4.1 percent in April.…
In other news, a journal has retracted a study that claimed that vaping kills as many as 650,000 people a year. While minor, this presents a victory against the rising…
Minnesota’s businesses are struggling to find workers. Some are cutting back their hours. Some are offering higher wages. But, of these latter, who is going to cover the higher wages?…
A version of this op ed appeared in the Duluth News Tribune on June 21, 2021 In March, the median price of a home sale in Duluth hit $217,000, up…
State and local taxes and spending Minn Post: Latest tax collection report reveals the state of Minnesota is pretty much rolling in cash Bemidji Pioneer: Commentary: State needs to fix…
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released the employment numbers for Minnesota. According to the new data, in May, Minnesota added 14,800 jobs, and the Labor force…
In April, I had an op-ed in the Star Tribune titled: ‘A new unemployment problem: it pays too well.’ In it, I noted the phenomenon of elevated levels of unemployment…