GDP per person is what matters for the economic well-being of Minnesotans. An immigration policy focused on increasing that will have to prioritize skilled immigrants.
Minimum wages are bad public policy which hurt the very people they are meant to help. New research illustrates one more avenue in which this works. Minimum wages push teenagers…
Economist Robert Lerman is one of the nation’s leading authorities on apprenticeships. He’s also one of their strongest advocates. I met him two years ago and then interviewed him two…
With all the possible career paths for young people to explore today, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin looking. But thanks to Couragion Corporation, students can explore…
Illinois has been dragged to the brink of ruin by rampant government spending and tax policies which have driven economic activity out of the state. Incredibly, there are still some…
I came across this slide from a presentation that was put on in another state. It shows the states’ ranks with respect to business tax climate, based on data from…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota
The Chinese authorities want fewer foreign players coming into the country and a tax on foreign player purchases is their chosen tool. Even in communist China, taxes are recognized as…
The high productivity jobs provided by mining are vital to Minnesota's economic future. A way can be found to square this in northern Minnesota without ruining the environment. With increased…
Newly elected Saint Paul mayor Melvin Carter is seeking to copy Minneapolis in its job killing $15 minimum wage. But declaring what the wage will be from the comfort of…
Super Bowl LII is in the history books now and it was a lot of fun. But, looking at the cost in the cold light of day, was it worth…
UPDATE (2/3/18): Minnesota companies big and small continue to pass along the financial benefits of the federal tax cuts. Best Buy just announced the biggest across the board federal tax…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota
Americans are on the move to economically freer states. This means Minnesota, with its high taxes and regulations, is losing out.
Minnesota's policymakers impose lower business tax rates on craft brewers to stimulate their growth. Why not apply this logic across our state's economy?
Burger chain Red Robin responds to minimum wage increases by cutting low skilled staff. This is exactly what theory and evidence suggests would happen, so why do policymakers ignore it?
Wages are driven by worker productivity. Minimum wages don't boost productivity so they don't boost wages, all they do is outlaw low productivity jobs.
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota
“3M, in the groove as global economy thrives, raises outlook on tax-law gains.” The accelerating global economy lifted 3M Co.’s sales and profits past expectations, and executives on Thursday raised…
Capitalism has lifted more people out of poverty than anything else in human history. Countries which remain poor need more of it, not less. And, to become rich themselves they…
At our first quarterly lunch forum of 2018 we will discuss a topic that impacts us every day: Taxes. The recent tax reform law is just beginning to take effect,…
Minnesota's policymakers use high tax rates on cigarettes to discourage smoking. Won't the high tax rates they levy on labor discourage work?
UPDATE (1/25/18): The list of Minnesota companies sharing the financial benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with their employees and communities just got longer with the addition of…
California's policymakers seem to recognize that high tax rates incentivize individuals to move to jurisdictions with lower rates. But, for some reason, they think that if they impose higher rates…