The Stearns County Board sent a signal that it wants to put hard feelings over the pandemic to rest. But the county attorney and sheriff didn't get the message.
The strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession is threatened by constraints on the supply side of the economy. Among these, though certainly not the only one, is a labor…
Minnesota's to-go alcohol sales allowances are coming to an end, once again exposing the state's overly burdensome liquor laws.
Recently, I had an op-ed in the Star Tribune in which I argued that increased federal unemployment benefits were one factor behind the phenomenon of record numbers of job openings…
State and local taxes and spending The Globe: Column: Budget agreement supports Minnesota families, doesn’t raise taxes The Center Square: Combined capital gains tax rate in Minnesota to hit 53.3%…
In a new survey, business owners in St. Cloud reported that they cannot hire workers due to expanded unemployment benefits. As reported by the Star Tribune, More than half the…
The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology licenses occupations for workers in the beauty industry and is perhaps the most widely known licensing board in the state, both due to its expansive…
There was good news for the 120 year-round residents of Minnesota’s Northwest Angle last Friday when the Canadian government announced that residents driving through Canada to the United States will…
State and local taxes and spending WCCO: How To Spend Federal COVID Relief Hangs Over Minnesota Legislature Minn Post: Legislature agrees to deal on exempting unemployment, PPP payments from Minnesota…
According to April data published by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1% in April, from 4.2% in March,…
A recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis suggests that even though the pandemic is coming to an end, childcare providers are still uncertain about their future. While…
Minnesota’s craft brewers have been an economic success story in the last decade. In 2011, there were 35 craft breweries operating statewide, according to the Brewer’s Association. In 2020, that…
Yesterday, President Biden made the following statement: President Biden was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2021, about a third of the way through the first quarter of the year.…
The April jobs report was bad news for the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. Across the United States, employers added just 266,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.1%. This…
State and local taxes and spending Star Tribune: Minnesota Legislature faces tough budget talks in week ahead Pioneer Press: Billions in federal stimulus aid will complicate the Legislature’s budget deal-making…
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,…