The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its numbers for inflation in September today: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted…
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…
The 2023 legislative session was a study of pushing through an ideological agenda.
A recent CNN article said: After two years of surging prices, economists still can’t agree on what has caused the world’s worst inflation crisis in decades. While the usual culprits…
In November, I looked at where inflation might be headed and suggested that “The answer is ‘down,’ and perhaps reasonably sharply.” Looking at it again in January, I saw “a…
Beyond the big-ticket items that got most of the press attention such as abortion, transgender rights, tax rebates and gun control, the 2023 legislature made several dramatic policy changes that…
Yesterday, the Star Tribune reported that “the 50 largest public companies in the state [ranked] by revenue…saw revenue increase 7% to a total of $750.7 billion” in 2022. But, as…
Yesterday, Americans for Tax Reform submitted official testimony to the state Senate Taxes Committee regarding SF 3157, the Omnibus Transportation appropriations bill, specifically in opposition to the proposed 75-cent delivery…
On Friday regulators shuttered Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and seized its deposits in the largest U.S. banking failure since the 2008 financial crisis and the second-largest ever. We shouldn’t be…
Week three of the 2023 legislative session is over, and the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are taking full advantage of their new power.
Recognizing important economic relationships allowed us to see inflation coming back in 2021. Today, they strongly suggest a sharp slowing of inflation ahead.
Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data showing that the rate of inflation for October was 0.4%. This was the same as the rate for September; even so…
In an article summarizing the economic policies of Tim Walz and Scott Jensen — candidates in tomorrow’s gubernatorial election — Dave Orrick writes for the Pioneer Press: The Federal Reserve…
Yesterday, President Biden said: Each of these is misleading. I should preface this by saying that, to some extent, that depends on what period you are referring to. As Figure…
Inflation came in at 0.0% in July, prompting President Biden to tweet: Alas, in August it ticked up to 0.1%, although some of Minnesota’s media still tried to tell you…
Evaluating the Fed’s post-COVID policies.
On September 13, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after…
Last month, President Biden responded to the July inflation data – which showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) flat over the month – by tweeting: Data released by the Bureau…
In the year to June, the Consumer Price Index increased by 9.1%, “the largest 12-month increase since the period ending November 1981.” Back then, the rate was declining from its…
In the year to June, the Consumer Price Index rose by 8.5%. What caused this? Let us first eliminate some answers by looking at what didn’t cause this. As I…
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, price levels were unchanged in July after rising 1.3 percent in June. And over the year, prices were up 8.5 percent, down from…
In June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) had risen by 8.6 percent in the year to May. This was “the largest 12-month increase since…
On Friday, CBS News reported: Senate Dems announce they have the votes to pass Inflation Reduction Act Today, CBS News reports: Senate passes Democrats’ sweeping climate, health and tax bill,…
The proposed Inflation Reduction Act won’t reduce inflation but will increase taxes. A report from economists at Moody’s Analytics said the opposite – or at least it appeared to. Business…