It is no coincidence that it was a Minnesotan, Sinclair Lewis, who popularized the word “Boosterism” in his 1922 novel Babbitt. As I’ve noted before, much of the state’s media is constantly…
These were some of the headlines in local media in July, when CNBC released its annual “America’s Top States for Business” ranking: On closer investigation it turned out that these…
I’ve struck a pessimistic note about Minnesota’s economy this week. I’ve noted that Minnesota’s economy — even in per capita terms — has grown more slowly than the United States’ economy generally in…
Gov. Walz is notoriously thin-skinned. At an appearance in Iowa last week, he said: “There is kind of an unwritten rule when we are dealing with things not to criticize…
Minnesota’s media is always on the lookout for good news stories about the state, which might explain the coverage given to our ranking of 5th in CNBC’s annual “America’s Top…
During the last legislative session in St. Paul, I wrote about how the DFL was voting bills through committees without any idea what they would cost. They were too busy…
On Saturday, the Minnesota House DFL tweeted: On Sunday, the Minnesota Senate DFL tweeted: The Star Tribune, now published by a former member of Governor Walz’ cabinet, dutifully pushed out…
Last week, Christopher Ingraham of the Minnesota Reformer emailed me to say that he was working on an article on net domestic migration into and out of Minnesota and asked…
Minnesota’s media is doing its dutiful best to sell the various tax packages swirling around the Capitol as “tax cuts.” WCCO, for example, reports: “Minnesota Senate passes tax bill featuring…
Last month, Minnesota’s media celebrated the fact that our state had recovered all the private sector jobs lost in pandemic — none mentioned that this was after 34 other states…
In January, I had an op ed in the Star Tribune titled ‘For second Walz term, state’s economy is fragile.’ In it, I noted that, since COVID-19: Minnesota’s subsequent recovery…
Minnesota’s media is in celebratory mood: Star Tribune: Minnesota has finally recovered all private sector jobs lost in pandemic KTTC: DEED: Minnesota private job sector recovers from pandemic job loss,…
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is, once again, seeking the infamous ‘Umbrella Man’ who played an allegedly catalytic role in the riots in Minneapolis in May 2020. Minneapolis Police had…
The Star Tribune peddles 'alternative facts' about Twin Cities transit
Minnesota is a wonderful state with many advantages. But prosperity isn't a given. Rather than patting ourselves on the back over this or that bit of data, we need to…