Economy
Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 3/1/19
March 2, 2019 by John Phelan
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
March 2, 2019 by John Phelan
News
Energy & Environment
Xcel Was Caught Short By Arctic Cold
March 1, 2019 by Isaac Orr
The story below from the Star Tribune summarizes a meeting held yesterday at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which was held to determine how well Minnesota’s utility companies weathered…
March 1, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Spending & Taxes
State government budget forecast shows fiscal problems on the way
March 1, 2019 by John Phelan
The state government forecasts that, in coming years, spending growth will outpace economic growth. This means a growing share of the state's economy swallowed up by government.
March 1, 2019 by John Phelan
Economy
Socially Conscious Car Sharing Service Lobbies for Tax Loophole
February 28, 2019 by Tom Steward
The non-profit car sharing service HOURCAR claims to be about more than just making a buck like ordinary car rental companies–much more. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, everything we do is…
February 28, 2019 by Tom Steward
Spending & Taxes
State continues to collect near record-high tax revenues, weakening argument for massive tax hikes
February 28, 2019
John Phelan, Economist at Center of the American Experiment, released the following statement in response to Minnesota’s February Budget and Economic Forecast: “With a $1 billion surplus and state tax…
February 28, 2019
Spending & Taxes
The state government’s surplus is projected to be smaller, but that does not justify tax hikes
February 28, 2019 by John Phelan
A surplus of $1.0 billion poses the same questions as a surplus of $1.5 billion does. Should lawmakers spend it? Leave it with the state's citizens? Hold fire until the…
February 28, 2019 by John Phelan
Education
Do Union and Nonunion Teachers Differ in Their Opinions?
February 28, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
Poll results from an Education Next survey reveal the free-speech issues surrounding the Janus decision go well beyond plaintiff Mark Janus.
February 28, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
Energy & Environment
Watch It Live at 1pm! Minnesota Utilities Testify on Polar Vortex in Front of MN Public Utilities Commission
February 28, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Want to learn more about the impact of the polar vortex on the energy system in Minnesota? Watch live as Xcel Energy's gas division, Centerpoint Energy, and Great Plains Gas…
February 28, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Culture
Just Asking
February 28, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
During Wednesday’s hearing of the House Oversight Committee, Chairman Elijah Cummings told the Jewish Michael Cohen that if he lied to the committee again, he’d “nail him to a cross.” …
February 28, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
Energy & Environment
Grid Operators Confirm: Wind Didn’t Work During Polar Vortex
February 28, 2019 by Isaac Orr
The energy world is buzzing today after the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO) released a report stating the wind didn’t show up to work during the polar vortex that swept…
February 28, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Energy & Environment
Minnesota is Number One! In Expensive and Inefficient Community Solar Installations
February 27, 2019 by Isaac Orr
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is celebrating the fact that our state has more inefficient, and incredibly expensive Community Solar installations, than any other state in the country. These installations…
February 27, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Spending & Taxes
Gov. Walz proposal to increase state debt by 10% in one year “irresponsible”
February 27, 2019
Today Governor Walz announced his proposal to take out another $1.3 billion in bonds backed by state taxpayers. If passed, the $1.3 billion in borrowing would be added to the…
February 27, 2019
Culture
Where Was Minnesota’s Media on Klobuchar Concerns?
February 26, 2019 by Tom Steward
It must be an eye-opener to many of the 60 percent of Minnesota voters who backed Sen. Amy Klobuchar last November to see USA Today describe the state’s most popular politician this…
February 26, 2019 by Tom Steward
Energy & Environment
EIA: Extreme Cold in the Midwest Led to High Power Demand and Record Natural Gas Demand
February 26, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Well, folks. The results of the Energy Information Administration’s autopsy of the January 2019 polar vortex are in and wind fared very poorly, mainly because wind plants were turned off…
February 26, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Economy
Excerpts from the Center’s New Book: Education Roads Less Traveled
February 26, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
The following excerpts are from Chapter Five, “Potential Economic Detours,” in Mitch Pearlstein’s new book, Education Roads Less Traveled: Solving America’s Fixation on Four-Year Degrees. Published by Rowman & Littlefield,…
February 26, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
Economy
Lost Labor Now Found
February 26, 2019 by Katherine Kersten
In today’s tight labor market, employers are being increasingly creative in their search for workforce talent. One new source: Disabled people. In 2017, more than 51,000 individuals left the disability…
February 26, 2019 by Katherine Kersten
Energy & Environment
The Green New Disaster is Coming Early to New York
February 25, 2019 by Isaac Orr
New York has been anti-fossil fuel for many years, and it is finally starting to catch up with them. The following article originally appeared in the New York Post. New Yorkers…
February 25, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Culture
Unearthing Scholastic Seriousness with Back-Boned Courage in St. Paul?
February 25, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
The Star Tribune ran a story Friday (February 22) headlined, “St. Paul Students Push Ethnic Studies as Core Classwork.” Featured terms included “culturally relevant curriculum that teaches history through the…
February 25, 2019 by Mitch Pearlstein
Education
Teachers: Your salary and benefits won’t be affected if you aren’t members of the union
February 24, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
Both salary and benefits are provided by the employer—the school district—not the union. These provisions are not dependent on your union membership status. Please share with teachers you know to…
February 24, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
Energy & Environment
The Big Problem With Wind, Solar, and Batteries
February 24, 2019 by Isaac Orr
The following article originally appeared in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. There have been many recent articles in The Daily Sentinel on Xcel’s new Colorado Energy Plan related to climate…
February 24, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Education
Teachers: You won’t lose tenure or seniority if you aren’t members of the union
February 23, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
To address common misconceptions, teachers from across the country are speaking out. Check out their message and share it with other educators!
February 23, 2019 by Catrin Wigfall
Energy & Environment
In the Tank Episode 179
February 23, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Hello! In this edition of the In the Tank podcast, Donny interviews Jonathan Williams from ALEC about his organization’s latest installment of the Rich States Poor States book. Minnesota does not fair…
February 23, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Economy
Minnesota’s economic news, w/e 2/22/19
February 23, 2019 by John Phelan
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
February 23, 2019 by John Phelan
Energy & Environment
Minnesotans Are Not Getting A Deal on Their Electricity Bills
February 22, 2019 by Isaac Orr
Renewable energy advocates' fixation on bills relative to the national average rather than prices, is a disingenuous slight of hand that allows them to make it seem like Minnesotans are…
February 22, 2019 by Isaac Orr