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Dane Smith

Jul 13, 2011

2011 may be bad, but we’ve seen worse

We are divided and faltering in Minnesota and the United States, staggering through a state government shutdown over a legislative refusal to raise more revenue, and teetering on the brink of a disastrous and unprecedented default on our national debt for essentially the same reason.

Mar 7, 2011

GOP bill seeks private and public sector partnership to redesign state government

Republicans at the Minnesota Capitol have introduced a proposal that they say would redesign state government via a partnership with the private and public sector.

Feb 4, 2011

Lawmakers should pass Dayton’s bonding bill

One of the outstanding things I noticed about Minnesota on arriving here in the early 1970s, right up there with the refreshing coolness of the summer mornings, was the high quality of the state's physical public infrastructure.

Oct 15, 2010

Study shows life-and-death inequities

For all you potential new humans out there in the ether who are destined to be born in the Twin Cities, here's a tip for a longer and healthier life: Don't let that stork drop you in the wrong ZIP code.

Sep 29, 2010

Abortion to play low-profile but important role in some 2010 races

After decades of very public clashes between anti-abortion and abortion-rights advocates, the issue has had a notably lower profile in recent state campaigns. And ostensibly at least, 2010 is likely to continue that trend. But it hardly means that abortion politics is a forgotten matter.

Jun 9, 2010

Smith: Age-old wisdom on public education

Let’s deduce. It’s post-democracy, obviously, and no doubt American, given the responsibility delegated mostly to states and their legislatures for education. And considering the pre-feminist reference to “his,” maybe a good guess would be a progressive do-gooder from the 19th or 20th century—maybe even a Founding Father.

May 12, 2010

Smith: We need to balance MN budget with balanced approach

Yes, that means raising revenue—i.e., raising taxes, because the facts matter

Apr 28, 2010

Smith: Blaming government for business failures

Trust in federal government is low—and bad news for the party in power—but historically normal. We should recover.

Apr 14, 2010

Smith: Don’t blame – or favor – the rich

Most wealthy and successful people in Minnesota and the United States can be celebrated. They should not be blamed, individually or as a class, for growing economic inequality and our increasingly regressive federal and state tax systems. They are not entirely responsible for the no-new-taxes orthodoxy and the public disinvestment that is threatening our quality of life and our prosperity in Minne[...]

Mar 17, 2010

Smith: Let’s try to stop ‘bowling in the fog’

Bush Foundation President Peter Hutchinson frequently has used the phrase “bowling in the fog” to describe the frustration of community leaders who are forced to make decisions without enough research and evidence.

Mar 3, 2010

Smith and Godinez: Is Minnesota becoming a state that believes college isn’t for everyone?

A renewed focus on improving minority attainment will lead to a stronger and more equitable economy

Feb 10, 2010

Marquart touts initiative aimed at ‘redesigning’ the Minnesota budget

Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, wants Minnesotans — and his legislative colleagues from both sides of the aisle — to help redesign the way the state does business.

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