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Governor Dayton’s proposed supplemental budget makes investments in education, health and human services, economic development, saves for the future
March 26, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
Governor Mark Dayton released his FY 2018-19 supplemental budget proposal today, focused on making strategic investments to support Minnesota’s economic success, prioritizing working… Continue reading Governor Dayton’s proposed supplemental budget makes investments in education, health and human services, economic development, saves for the future
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As rising rents outstrip Minnesotans’ incomes, affordability policies are under threat
March 13, 2018 • Nan Madden
Income and Inclusive Economy, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
A full-time worker needs to earn $18.60 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in Minnesota. That’s up from $17.76… Continue reading As rising rents outstrip Minnesotans’ incomes, affordability policies are under threat
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Investment in child care is a critical investment in Minnesota’s workforce
March 7, 2018 • Sarah Orange
Child Care
Our state’s economy has been vibrant for the past several years, and a significant factor in this success is our… Continue reading Investment in child care is a critical investment in Minnesota’s workforce
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February forecast brings welcome news, but uncertainty still reigns
February 28, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
Today the state’s Minnesota Management and Budget released the February Budget and Economic Forecast. The February forecast compares what the state would be… Continue reading February forecast brings welcome news, but uncertainty still reigns
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Trump’s budget would pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations by cutting supports for struggling Americans
February 20, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget
Last week, President Donald Trump laid out his vision for the country in his FY 2019 proposed budget. Just a short… Continue reading Trump’s budget would pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations by cutting supports for struggling Americans
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New Medicaid requirements will create barriers to health care
February 13, 2018 • Sarah Orange
Health Care
Since its origin in 1965, Medicaid has stood as America’s promise to care for our neighbors and loved ones, providing… Continue reading New Medicaid requirements will create barriers to health care
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Minnesota’s budget reserve an important source of stability in tough times
January 18, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
This fall, the state’s November Budget and Economic Forecast projected a slight state budget deficit for the remainder of the FY 2018-19… Continue reading Minnesota’s budget reserve an important source of stability in tough times
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Minnesota’s January economic update shows welcome news for revenues and economy
January 17, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
The recently released January Revenue and Economic Update gave us somewhat welcome news about the state’s economic and budget landscape. The quarterly report… Continue reading Minnesota’s January economic update shows welcome news for revenues and economy
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4 Reasons DACA should be restored ASAP
December 18, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has improved about 800,000 lives in the United States, and 6,300 in Minnesota. However,… Continue reading 4 Reasons DACA should be restored ASAP
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State of Working Minnesota: Low-wage workers still struggling in the economy with stagnant wages
December 11, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Uncategorized
Minnesota has experienced a fairly strong economic recovery since the Great Recession, with low overall unemployment and a growing economy.… Continue reading State of Working Minnesota: Low-wage workers still struggling in the economy with stagnant wages
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US Senate tax bill would cause millions to lose affordable health care, proposed “fixes” wouldn’t undo the harm
December 7, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes
The Senate tax bill includes changes in health care policy that would result in 13 million fewer Americans having health insurance and… Continue reading US Senate tax bill would cause millions to lose affordable health care, proposed “fixes” wouldn’t undo the harm
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Minnesota’s November budget forecast shows deficits amid high uncertainty
December 5, 2017 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
Predicting the future is a tricky business, especially in uncertain times. But nonetheless today’s state budget and economic forecast is… Continue reading Minnesota’s November budget forecast shows deficits amid high uncertainty
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Senate tax bill harmful, irresponsible
December 4, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes
Minnesota Budget Project Director Nan Madden’s public statement on the Senate tax bill passed last week: I’m extremely disappointed, and frankly… Continue reading Senate tax bill harmful, irresponsible
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Rankings of state “business climate” are misleading, fall short of actual measures
December 4, 2017 • Minnesota Budget Project
Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work
Note: I had the opportunity to see Dr. Peter Fisher present on state business climate rankings at the recent Minnesota… Continue reading Rankings of state “business climate” are misleading, fall short of actual measures
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Child Tax Credit in Senate tax bill provides minimal benefits to working families, harms immigrant families
November 29, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The U.S. Senate is currently considering a tax bill that would provide the largest tax benefits to those already doing well in… Continue reading Child Tax Credit in Senate tax bill provides minimal benefits to working families, harms immigrant families
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Fiscally irresponsible Senate tax plan prioritizes corporate tax cut, many everyday Americans made worse off
November 27, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Health Care
The latest tax bill moving through Congress shares the same harmful architecture as previous versions, and it adds on the… Continue reading Fiscally irresponsible Senate tax plan prioritizes corporate tax cut, many everyday Americans made worse off
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State budget adds to an uncertain future
November 27, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Budget Outlook
With the state scheduled to release its latest Economic and Budget Forecast next Tuesday, it’s a good time to look back… Continue reading State budget adds to an uncertain future
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High-income households get largest share of tax cuts, and their share gets bigger over time
November 10, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The tax bill moving quickly through the U.S. House fails to do what its proponents claim: it is not focused… Continue reading High-income households get largest share of tax cuts, and their share gets bigger over time
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US House tax plan still fatally flawed
November 3, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes
The tax plan released in the U.S. House yesterday retains the same basic architecture as the unified tax framework previously released,… Continue reading US House tax plan still fatally flawed
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Senate Budget Resolution: Different package, same bad news
October 23, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget, Federal Issues
The U.S. Senate’s budget plan calls for deep cuts in supports that low- and middle-income Minnesotans count on and would likely shift… Continue reading Senate Budget Resolution: Different package, same bad news
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Many Minnesotans struggle to make ends meet while others prosper
October 18, 2017 • Minnesota Budget Project
Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work
Income inequality has gotten worse in Minnesota – and every state – over the past 50 years, and the highest-income… Continue reading Many Minnesotans struggle to make ends meet while others prosper
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October Economic Update shows state revenues and expected economic growth down
October 12, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
This week’s October Revenue and Economic Update gave us somewhat unwelcome news about the state’s economic and budget landscape. The quarterly report from… Continue reading October Economic Update shows state revenues and expected economic growth down
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Minnesota’s Health and Human Services budget deal puts state fiscal stability at risk
October 9, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Health Care, Minnesota Budget
Minnesota legislators put both the state’s balanced budget and Minnesotans’ health at risk with the Health and Human Services budget bill… Continue reading Minnesota’s Health and Human Services budget deal puts state fiscal stability at risk
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Most of federal framework’s tax cuts go to top 1 percent
October 5, 2017 • Nan Madden
Federal Issues, Federal Taxes
The federal tax framework released last week fails to prioritize our nation’s working families. Instead, it would provide most of its tax… Continue reading Most of federal framework’s tax cuts go to top 1 percent
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Census: Incomes on the rise, but many still struggle to get ahead
September 14, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues
New data from the Census released today show the nation’s economic recovery is boosting incomes and reducing hardship, including in Minnesota.… Continue reading Census: Incomes on the rise, but many still struggle to get ahead
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New Census data highlight what’s at risk from federal health care threats
September 12, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues
The share of Minnesotans covered by health insurance is historically high, according to new U.S. Census data released today. Minnesota was… Continue reading New Census data highlight what’s at risk from federal health care threats
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Cassidy-Graham: Different lipstick, same pig
September 6, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Federal Issues, Health Care
U.S. Senators are reportedly still considering a health care bill that would leave millions of Americans uninsured, eliminate protections for expectant mothers and… Continue reading Cassidy-Graham: Different lipstick, same pig
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US Senate votes mean Medicaid and affordable health insurance for millions of Americans are preserved for now
August 10, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Federal Issues, Health Care
Several proposals to radically alter health insurance for the worse failed in the U.S. Senate last month. Congress should now turn… Continue reading US Senate votes mean Medicaid and affordable health insurance for millions of Americans are preserved for now
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Opportunity out of reach for some communities in Minnesota
August 10, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Income and Inclusive Economy
Too many families face persistent financial insecurity, and the situation is often much worse for Minnesota’s households of color. That’s from… Continue reading Opportunity out of reach for some communities in Minnesota
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US House budget: Trading access to health care, SNAP for tax cuts for wealthy, defense spending
August 9, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget, Federal Issues
The U.S. House has released their budget resolution – or the framework they propose to use to pass a budget… Continue reading US House budget: Trading access to health care, SNAP for tax cuts for wealthy, defense spending
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U.S. Senate still considering harmful health care bills
July 21, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Federal Issues, Health Care
Republicans in the U.S. Senate are reportedly working on health care legislation that could come up for a vote as… Continue reading U.S. Senate still considering harmful health care bills
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Minnesota’s July Economic Update shows slightly lower revenues, economic growth on track
July 12, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
This week’s July Revenue and Economic Update gave us mixed news about the state’s economic and budget landscape. The quarterly report… Continue reading Minnesota’s July Economic Update shows slightly lower revenues, economic growth on track
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Takeaways from U.S. Senate health care proposal: 22 million more uninsured, higher costs for many
July 6, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Health Care
On June 22, Republicans in the U.S. Senate revealed their Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) proposal to “repeal and replace”… Continue reading Takeaways from U.S. Senate health care proposal: 22 million more uninsured, higher costs for many
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DACA recipients make important tax contributions to Minnesota
June 22, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy
Minnesota’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients pay an estimated $15 million in state and local taxes, according to a report… Continue reading DACA recipients make important tax contributions to Minnesota
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Republicans’ federal health care bill devastating to Minnesotans, would shift significant responsibility to the state
June 19, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Health Care
Minnesota’s costs to ensure health care for a particular group of Minnesotans would increase by 228 percent in 2021 if… Continue reading Republicans’ federal health care bill devastating to Minnesotans, would shift significant responsibility to the state
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Threats to Medicaid are a threat to Minnesota newborns, seniors, and everyone in-between
May 31, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Federal Issues, Health Care
For more than 50 years, Medicaid has played a crucial role in the American health insurance landscape. In Minnesota, this state-federal… Continue reading Threats to Medicaid are a threat to Minnesota newborns, seniors, and everyone in-between
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President Trump’s budget proposal hurts people, communities, Minnesota
May 23, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget, Federal Issues
President Donald Trump’s budget proposal hurts our nation’s families, communities, and state and local finances. It undermines basic tenets of… Continue reading President Trump’s budget proposal hurts people, communities, Minnesota
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Legislature’s Health and Human Services bill makes drastic cuts to health care for families and children, relies on gimmicks
May 18, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget
On May 9, the Minnesota Legislature passed a Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus bill that reduces general fund spending on HHS… Continue reading Legislature’s Health and Human Services bill makes drastic cuts to health care for families and children, relies on gimmicks
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Legislature’s higher education budget makes some financial aid investments but misses important opportunity
May 17, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
Policymakers have put together their visions for Higher Education in FY 2018-19. The Legislature’s conference committee report includes $125 million… Continue reading Legislature’s higher education budget makes some financial aid investments but misses important opportunity
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Balanced tax bill should be the goal; Legislature’s tax bill has a ways to go
May 17, 2017 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
There’s more to be done to get to a tax bill that takes a balanced approach between tax cuts and… Continue reading Balanced tax bill should be the goal; Legislature’s tax bill has a ways to go
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House Republicans vote to slash more than $1 trillion from federal health insurance while giving giant tax cut to nation’s wealthiest
May 16, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Federal Budget, Federal Issues, Health Care
Earlier this month, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut roughly $1 trillion of support for Americans’… Continue reading House Republicans vote to slash more than $1 trillion from federal health insurance while giving giant tax cut to nation’s wealthiest
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Minnesota’s FY 2018-19 budget being put together
May 9, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
In these final weeks of this legislative session, policymakers are putting together the state budget for the FY 2018-19 biennium,… Continue reading Minnesota’s FY 2018-19 budget being put together
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Estate tax cuts are one of top priorities in Legislature’s tax proposal
May 9, 2017 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
We look to our policymakers to best position Minnesota to build on our state’s strengths and expand economic security to… Continue reading Estate tax cuts are one of top priorities in Legislature’s tax proposal
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Renters pay for others’ tax cuts in House bill
April 24, 2017 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
It may come as a surprise that the House omnibus tax bill, which has over $1 billion in tax breaks… Continue reading Renters pay for others’ tax cuts in House bill
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New state data highlight increasing importance of investing in child care assistance
April 19, 2017 • Ben Horowitz
Child Care
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) makes child care affordable for about 30,000 Minnesota children all across the state, including… Continue reading New state data highlight increasing importance of investing in child care assistance
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Minnesota’s April Economic Update shows higher revenues, economic growth on track
April 14, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
This week’s April Revenue and Economic Update gave us some good news about the state’s economic and budget landscape. The… Continue reading Minnesota’s April Economic Update shows higher revenues, economic growth on track
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Will Real ID conference committee pass “clean” bill?
April 14, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Issues, Immigration
When legislators come back to the capitol next week, a conference committee will work to determine what path Minnesota will… Continue reading Will Real ID conference committee pass “clean” bill?
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Governor Dayton’s supplemental budget makes additional investments, primarily in pre-k
March 29, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget
Earlier this month, Governor Mark Dayton released his supplemental budget for FY 2018-19, which makes a number of changes to… Continue reading Governor Dayton’s supplemental budget makes additional investments, primarily in pre-k
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Senate budget targets call for tax cuts, cuts to health and human services, some investments
March 28, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The Minnesota Senate recently released its budget targets, which describe how they propose using the state’s projected $1.7 billion surplus in… Continue reading Senate budget targets call for tax cuts, cuts to health and human services, some investments
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Trump’s budget proposes cuts in services for most vulnerable and in funding to states
March 28, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Federal Budget, Federal Issues
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump released his budget outline for federal discretionary spending. (That’s a fancy name for spending that… Continue reading Trump’s budget proposes cuts in services for most vulnerable and in funding to states