Welcome back to the American Experiment Podcast! This week, Bill Walsh joins Grace and Kathryn to stop the tape on Governor Walz’s trip down to Texas. In an event with…
We in the West often trace our democratic heritage to Athens, the birthplace of democracy. In fact, the word “democracy” comes from Greek, literally meaning “people power.” However, democracy in…
It’s the time of year again when Center of the American Experiment needs to reiterate a vital point: energy projects exist to produce energy, not jobs. And projects from wind…
American Experiment Update: Center events, initiatives, and policy work Summer tour American Experiment’s summer tour returned this year in June and July. The “Minnesota DOGE: Cut the waste, save the…
The Duluth News Tribune reported yesterday that a crowd of miners packed the house at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia this week. The miners warned that the…
Cut the waste, save the budget. Eight years ago, American Experiment asked Minnesotans in our quarterly Thinking Minnesota Poll if they thought state government spends too much, not enough, or…
The media company’s annual “Top States for Business” ranking scores a state’s education system as one of 10 categories to identify America’s best states for business. For 2025, Minnesota overall…
Gov. Walz needs to drop the comedy routine and make Minnesota competitive again. In late May, while he was embarking on his national town hall tour, Gov. Tim Walz needled…
Draft language in the legislature’s transportation spending bill would drop the maximum e-bike rebate from $1,500 to $750. Quick question: why not $0? The draft language, according to Axios Twin…
This week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz needled the Texas legislature’s attempt to rein in their marijuana laws. “Texans, flee the nanny state and come up north to enjoy the land…
There is one week left in the regular legislative session and to no one’s surprise, the parties are stuck on the big stuff. Everyone is waiting for a breakthrough on…
We’ve got mail! Lowertown’s descent Sadly, I echo John Phelan’s sentiments on the demise of St. Paul’s Lowertown district (“Gone But Not Forgotten”). I lived in Lowertown, both times after…
Today I testified in the House Transportation Finance and Policy committee in support of HF 494, which: …prohibits the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the MetropolitanCouncil from expending funds…
In my previous role at Alaska Policy Forum, I spoke and wrote about the costs of the Jones Act, a 1920 law that limits trade between U.S. ports to U.S.-flagged…
A recent U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) map gives Minnesota a dubious distinction: It was the state with the largest increase in gasoline taxes since July 2024. State taxes and…
Minnesota House Democrats, with fresh permission from the Supreme Court, have put the state into a government shutdown. Government shutdowns usually happen at the end of session when the two…
The state Senate is now the only remaining legislative chamber. On Friday afternoon, the all-Democrat MN Supreme Court sided with the minority House Democrats to wipe out the first two…
In 2018, Center of the American Experiment released a report evaluating how environmentally responsible mining would boost Minnesota’s economy. With the help of economist John Phelan and Debra Struhsacker, a…
Today, I testified in front of the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on HF 5. This bill would, among other things, halt indexing on the motor fuels tax, repeal the…
The Minnesota House opened Tuesday as predicted with Democrats not showing up, Secretary Simon declaring “no quorum,” and House Republicans installing their own chair to conduct business. Nothing like this…
Welcome to Capitol Watch 2025 Happy New Year and welcome to Capitol Watch 2025! Hold onto your wallets because the Minnesota Legislature returns to St. Paul on Tuesday, January 14,…
We’ve got mail! Family legacy In the Fall 2024 issue, I was elated that John Phelan wrote an article about the 2nd Minnesota. My Norwegian immigrant great-great grandfather Even, his…
Minnesotans deserve better than what they have offered. Trust, accountability, and common sense are three foundational characteristics of a society that are also good measures of that society’s health and…
Some good news: the Minneapolis City Council failed to override Mayor Frey’s veto on creating a Labor Standards Board, which “would recommend pay, safety and equity regulations for employers” in…