John Phelan

A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.

A response to our Monday op ed in the Star Tribune highlights the pitfalls of replying to things before reading them.

IRS stats show that Minnesota has a net inflow of lower income residents. We reported these publicly available numbers. Bob Collins, formerly of MPR, said that was racist.

And it's not just the rich and elderly moving to lower-tax states.

A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.

Today is Brexit Day in Britain, the day on which, more than three years after voting to leave the European Union the country actually does so. How did the UK reach…

When people claim that minimum wage hikes "put the needs of working people above the profit margins of big business" it shows that they are living in fantasyland.

Q) Is it time to consider whether Minnesota's government should dictate what we get paid? A) No.

The cause of unaffordable housing is a shortage of supply relative to demand. Rent controls won't fix that. More housing supply will.

In 2011, the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association was part of a "large liquor coalition" opposed to the Surly Bill. They can take no credit whatsoever for the craft beer boom…

American Experiment's proposals for a positive and productive legislative session.

An ordinance passed by the city of Dayton gives an example of the types of fees which help make housing unaffordable.

A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.

Back in 2011, economist Paul Krugman said that an alien attack might boost the American economy. Space Force to the rescue!

If localities are permitted to set their own minimum wage rate above the state rate, why should they not also be free to set one below it? 

How to help young people become independent and analytical thinkers.

The 2019 figures for total state spending - $42.6 billion - and per capita state spending - $7,548 - are the highest in Minnesota's history. Before state government takes more of…

As Californians are finding out, the cost of extensive environmental regulations in building codes is unaffordable housing. Will Minnesotans be willing to pay that cost?

When your big question is 'How do we limit the amount of rich people?', you reach for socialism. When your big question is 'How do we limit the amount of…

A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.

The purpose of taxation is not to bash the rich but to raise revenue to pay for government functions. Minnesota should repeal its estate tax.

Minneapolis is too important to leave in the hands of its own elected officials.

Businesses are being squeezed out by minimum wage hikes and rising crime.

The study, compiled at the request of at the request of the City Council, recommends adding 78 sworn personnel, including 33 sergeants. It runs contrary to Mayor Carter's desire to…