The interests, values and policy preferences of most Greater Minnesota residents are at odds with the liberal agenda coming out of St. Paul.
Minnesota taxpayers dodged another bullet with the collapse of a bonding bill at the state legislature this session. Among the pet projects thankfully left in limbo? The so-called Northern Lights…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
Minnesota is one step closer to opening its first copper-nickel mine, as the State Court of Appeals has rejected a lawsuit from anti-mining groups who had hoped to force PolyMet…
Most Minnesotans have likely never heard of the proposed $550 million Northern Lights Express (NLX) passenger rail line from the Twin Cities to Duluth-Superior. Yet MnDOT has been quietly laying…
It’s a great day for Minnesota families and businesses, as Senator Erik Simonson (DFL-Duluth) stated that he believes that provisions of the House Energy and Jobs omnibus bill that would…
Most Minnesotans have likely never heard of the proposed $550 million Northern Lights Express (NLX) passenger rail line from the Twin Cities to Duluth-Superior. Yet MnDOT has been quietly laying…
On Wednesday, I gave a presentation to the Society of of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) chapter for Minnesota in Duluth, and it was one of the best speaking experiences…
The Star Tribune editorial board carries considerable weight as the voice of Minnesota’s biggest media outlet. But the paper’s recent endorsement of bringing back the failed Amtrak Twin Cities to…
Old rail lines never die. They keep chugging along, powered by just enough taxpayer funding for the required environmental and operational studies to maintain bureaucratic momentum over the years. Then…
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…
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…
Amtrak’s operating loss for 2018 came in at $168 million–and they’re proud of it. Never mind that the passenger line would be even more in the red if the cost…
Duluth public school teachers deserve extra credit. A year after the administration banned “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Huckleberry Finn” from the curriculum, faculty members refuse to back down or…
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2019 Issue of Thinking Minnesota, now the second largest magazine in Minnesota. To receive a free trial issue, send your name and address to [email protected]. When…
Duluth City Hall continues to proceed full-speed ahead with hiring a full-time “compliance officer” to enforce a controversial paid-time off mandate scheduled to take effect next year. Many employers predict…
Governor Tim Walz capped off his first week in office with an inaugural party in Minneapolis on Saturday, treating thousands of Minnesotans to a night of food and performances meant to…
Schools exist to disseminate knowledge and information, right? Apparently the Duluth School Board didn’t get the lesson plan. This week the board of Minnesota’s 22nd largest district by enrollment reached…
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan didn’t hesitate when asked why the 8th Congressional District — once solidly Democratic blue — again turned Republican red in November’s election. “It’s because of the…
There’s no law against grandstanding in court, but that doesn’t make it right. Take the case of John Schulte, a Duluth judicial referee who saw the trial of three climate…
Congressman-elect Pete Stauber has a few more weeks before going to DC as Minnesota’s new Eighth Congressional District representative. But the Republican isn’t wasting any time getting behind bipartisan legislation…
The men and women of the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota National Guard base in Duluth generally maintain a low profile. Consequently, many of us have little idea of…
The city government may have a long way to go, but give Duluth Mayor Emily Larson credit. Turnover at top positions in City Hall has paved the way for the…
Last night, Policy Fellow Isaac Orr appeared at the Theater of Public Policy held at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. The Theater, run by Tane Danger, has a policy purpose…