Minnesotans would have been $3,500 better off in 2016 if the state's workers were as productive as the national average. Why aren't they? We discuss this in our new report, The State…
In 1980, Nobel prize winning economist Milton Friedman turned TV presenter. Over ten episodes, his PBS program Free to Choose explored the workings of the market economy and explained how…
Milton Friedman (1912-2006) was one of the greatest economists of the 20th century. But, along with his academic work, he was a gifted writer of economics for a lay audience.…
Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have been traumatized by a close encounter with the state’s new dysfunctional vehicle licensing system. It’s so bad that Gov. Dayton recently apologized for the…
A round-up of the last week's economic news stories in Minnesota.
Dear Friends, As always, we have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, starting with the fact that we live in America. Our country has delivered more freedom to more…
Contrary to much myth, free markets do have mechanisms to raise earnings. When wage rises are decreed by government, some workers lose out to pay for it. But when those higher wages come…
Despite getting the cold shoulder from the Dayton administration and its enviro activist allies, big-time mining companies continue to signal their renewed interest in northern Minnesota’s treasure trove of mineral…
Minnesota's economy grew more slowly than 43 other states in the second quarter of 2017. Much depends on trends at the national level, but the variations suggest that local factors…
Minnesotans work hard and greater numbers than the national average. But they produce less than the national average. So, while GDP per capita is relatively high, GDP per worker isn't…
A new report by Center of the American Experiment finds Minnesota’s economy continued to be lackluster in 2017 with slightly below average economic growth, lagging productivity and personal income gains…
Solar power developers routinely make the rounds at City Hall, targeting municipalities with the latest green gimmickery. The most popular go-to option these days allows cities to cash in on the…
Politicians passed high state tax rates into law. They told us high taxes are a good thing. They have repeatedly said that tax rates don't affect decisions about location, employment,…
Our Constitution gives the president of United States, whether you like him or not, the power to nominate federal judges. The Senate has the power to advise and consent, which…
Minnesota Sen. Al Franken got called out for bad behavior this week, not once but twice. Accusations that Franken kissed and groped Los Angeles broadcaster Leeann Tweeden grabbed most of…
In 1980, Nobel prize winning economist Milton Friedman turned TV presenter. Over ten episodes, his PBS program Free to Choose explored the workings of the market economy and explained how…
The laws of economics applied just as much in 1946 as they do now. Here, in Newsweek from this day in 1946, the great economic writer Henry Hazlitt explains some…
A round-up of the last week's economic news stories in Minnesota.
(Photo Credit: The Markle Foundation) A new report from Center of the American Experiment reveals that there’s “gold in a two-year degree.” The study found that young Minnesotans who choose…
In 2011, Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote "These days, the American dream is more apt to be realized in South America, in places such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina, where incomes…
The following analysis of today’s Minnesota Supreme Court ruling on the use of the line-item veto in legislative funding was written by Harry Niska, pro bono counsel for American Experiment’s…
Minnesotans have a higher level of personal income than Americans generally. But in recent years the main contributor to its increase has been rising transfer payments. And, odd as it…
Social media has all but melted down today over allegations that Sen. Al Franken groped and kissed radio personality Leeann Tweeden without consent on a 2006 USO tour. Franken recalls…
The state’s new online vehicle registration system was tens of millions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. But the Department of Public Safety rolled out the first phase…