Sign up HERE! Join us Wednesday, July 8th for an interview with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem over Zoom. In response to COVID-19, Noem defied the norm of a statewide…
Xcel Energy bombards the airwaves with commercials stating how they are going to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide “affordable” energy to their customers. The problem with these slogans is…
If current trends hold and Covid-19 ICU usage is in the region of 250-300 on July 13th when the model forecasts 3,700, we will have every reason to junk it…
Compared to the extra benefits that immigrants contribute to the economy, restricting their entrance could prove more negative to the United States economy. Economic research suggests restricting immigrants will hurt…
In response to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s lawsuit against major U.S. energy producers, Isaac Orr released the following statement: “The most likely outcome from this lawsuit is a gigantic waste…
Great River Energy's announcement that they would build a battery to help replace a coal-fired power plant received uncritical praise from the media and renewable groups, but a closer look…
Research shows that students who graduate during a recession suffer a range of negative effects on income and health and that these effects linger for a very long time.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier today released data on the change in employment in the leisure and hospitality industry. As to be expected the changes in the industry are…
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against multiple energy companies, Exxon Mobil Corp., Koch Industries, and the American Petroleum Institute, alleging they have deceived consumers over the…
New research finds that 'Pattern-or-Practice' investigations into crime and policing which followed 'viral' incidents of deadly force "have led to a large and statistically significant increase in homicides and total…
Thanks to the hundreds who joined us live today for this discussion! Here is the program in its entirety for those unable to make it to the event: Look out…
Property rights advocates in Iowa are furious about a proposal by the Iowa Utilities Board, the Iowa version of Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission, to allow utility companies to use eminent…
Minnesota is one of 21 states whose minimum wage rate is higher than the federal rate. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are on track to hike it to $15 an hour.…
Last week the Minneapolis Star-Tribune ran an article entitled “Xcel Proposes $3B in Renewable Projects to Bolster Economy Dogged by Pandemic.” In the article, the author discusses Xcel’s plan to…
Research shows that 'Ban the box' laws increase callback rates for people with criminal records at the cost of reducing the likelihood that employers call back or hire young black…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Watch this panel discussion on race relations held at the White House earlier…
From April to May, forty-four states saw their unemployment rates fall. Minnesota saw an increase, and the largest increase in the United States.
The newly-completed transmission line bringing hydroelectric power from Canada would supply more renewable energy than all of Minnesota's solar facilities, combined. But none of this power will count as "renewable"…
With the Minnesota Legislature’s special session set to adjourn tomorrow, Friday, efforts to make meaningful progress on reform proposals continue. But one proposal—Equity and Opportunity Scholarships—aimed at addressing and eliminating…
At the end of May, my friend Todd Myers, of the Washington Policy Center, wrote an excellent piece for The Wall Street Journal detailing how Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s response to…
The U.S. economy has taken a pounding from Covid-19. But so have other economies. To judge how well or badly we have fared, it is reasonable to ask 'relative to…
Last month, I participated in an event with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy to discuss energy issues in a post COVID world. You can read more about the event…
The mob mentality that Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter allowed to terrorize the Twin Cities for several days following the death of…