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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Smith: We need to balance MN budget with balanced approach
Yes, that means raising revenue—i.e., raising taxes, because the facts matter
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.
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[...]
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.
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
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.
Top News
- Courtroom outbursts justified exclusion of mother from parental rights trial
- LGBTQ+ group sues over Iowa book, discussion bans
- Justices uphold business tax bill
- Court to weigh social media and First Amendment
- Federal court rules brokerage firm breached 1994 contract
- Court denies revocation of adoption
- UnitedHealth suit alleges faulty AI led to denied claims
- Judge asked to block part of a North Dakota abortion law
Expert Testimony
- Perspectives: Asylum appeals yield 3 denials for immigrants
- Quandaries & Quagmires: Risky business and tips for managing the risk
- Perspectives: JFK assassination: 60 years of litigation here
- Perspectives: Lincoln’s memorable address recalls impact here
