Bloomington is surrounded by other cities that have no similar restrictions. It is illogical to expect smokers not to flock to areas nearby to purchase flavored tobacco products.
The April jobs report, issued on Friday, showed that, across the United States, employers added just 266,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.1 percent. This…
Recently, I wrote an op-ed for the Star Tribune that argued that increased unemployment benefits are preventing employers from hiring. Most agree that there is an unusual situation in Minnesota’s…
Economic growth Star Tribune: Recovery is more visible as Q1 results at Minnesota companies emerge Star Tribune: Twin Cities construction activity grows just 1% in March Bemidji Pioneer: Rural Airbnb…
As the pandemic passes and national and state economies reopen, what is in store for the economy? Some basic macroeconomics might tell us. Theory The macroeconomics of a pandemic When…
Economic theory dictates that when labor demand is higher than labor supply, employers raise wages in order to attract workers.
The Minnesota Chamber has a new report out: “Minnesota: 2030, a framework for economic growth.” It is a weighty tome, but this does mean that it contains a lot of…
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…
This op-ed appeared in the Star Tribune on April 28th, 2021 As Minnesota’s economy slowly begins to recover from COVID-19 and the measures taken by state government to fight it,…
Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticks down in March; Logging, mining shows strength – International Falls Journal Unemployment rates fall statewide for third month in a row – KAAL TV Unemployment rate…
Last week, I wrote about how increased unemployment benefits are preventing employers from hiring. This isn’t just a problem for Minnesota or for specific industries. As the Wall Street Journal reports:…
State and local taxes and spending Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota film tax credit bills could bring movie, TV production boom to Northland Valley News Live: MN House Democrats Pass Omnibus…
WJON reports: After being forced to shut down for several months last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the big challenge facing bars and restaurants now is finding enough workers to…
Last week, KPVI ran a report titled: ‘Some Minnesota businesses report hiring problems, citing enhanced unemployment benefits‘: With more relaxed restrictions and the promise of warmer months ahead, businesses are…
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…
A Minnesota dairy producer's openness on why he had little choice but to move his operation to Colorado in order to prosper reveals much about the state's toxic business climate.
Today, Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development released unemployment numbers for March. The headline was that the our state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down from 4.5% in February…
In our new report ‘The State of Minnesota’s Economy: 2020‘, we wrote: Tax rates and, to a slightly lesser extent, their actual burdens, are, by their nature, relatively easy to…
Minimum wage hikes make certain workers more expensive to hire. Generally speaking, if something becomes more expensive, people buy less of it, so we would expect minimum wage hikes to…
State and local taxes and spending Grand Rapids Herald Review: Here Is How Much People Pay in Taxes in Minnesota Marshall Independent: Daudt hopeful for more tax breaks Inforum: Area…
The COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to it have wrought havoc with Minnesota’s economy over the last year. So, it was surprising to read in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal…
A monetary theory more Aristotle than Copernicus.
At first glance, Minnesota's economy seems strong. But a closer look at the data shows we're on a unsustainable path.
A $15 minimum wage would be especially hurtful to residents in Greater Minnesota.