The issue of the influence of political contributions and the cost of campaigns typically surfaces in the context of federal elections. But a campaign finance controversy unfolding in the Twin…
There is a scarcity of workers with basic STEM competencies across the entire economy, touching on virtually every industry. Think of this problem as a lack of basic STEM literacy.…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
The Politics of beer
Minnesota’s craft beer industry has boomed over the past several years thanks to legislative reforms focused on deregulation and tax cuts. The 2019 Winter Issue of Thinking Minnesota features a…
In a front-page story in the Star Tribune, “Help Wanted: Homebuilders Need Workers” (December 27), reporter Jim Buchta opened by noting how the “labor crunch is hitting home in the…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
The small town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in the news because Class Relotius, the recently-fired journalist for the German publication Der Spiegel, completely lied when writing portions of his…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
A serious look at our economy dispels the political hype that Minnesota is a 'blue state that works.'
Municipal golf courses are notorious money losers for the taxpayers of most local governments that get into the game. Just four of 35 municipal courses named in the Minnesota State…
“ESPN’s Outside The Lines published an exhaustive report on food safety at every major North American sports venue. None of the four Twin Cities sports venues on the list fared…
The following column about adoption by American Experiment Founder Mitch Pearlstein was written at the invitation of the Institute for Family Studies at the University of Virginia. The post at…
Thousands of French police fired tear gas and used water cannons against demonstrators who have been protesting French President Emmanuel Macron’s new taxes on diesel fuel, the most popular fuel in…
Previous Happenings include An Immigrants’ Cabaret, an evening of music, movement and poetry; Enacting the Dream, an opportunity to reflect on the lived realities of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals…
One issue won’t be on the ballot in the Twin Cities suburb of Andover. It’s the mega-bucks proposed expansion to the city’s community center. The nearly $19 million price tag has stirred…
Last week's blockbuster jobs report showed that sound economic policy can enable strong growth and reveal the bankruptcy of notions of stagnation.
MPR recently ran a piece describing the issue of mining may have on the upcoming elections. The story cites our research, and then goes on to describe the positions politicians…
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
One way to evaluate the effects of Minnesota’s economic policies is to compare border counties.
Seven common-sense ideas that will transform Minnesota's economy for generations.
A round-up of the last week’s economic news stories in Minnesota.
Minnesota’s beleaguered road system received the lowest grade of all — a D-plus. Roads across the state are in poor condition, and congestion in the Twin Cities means motorists spend…
Minnesotans want to think beyond the policies of the Dayton administration, especially about taxes and spending.