Publications

It’s time to update a critical support for our state’s poorest kids that has been deteriorating for 30 years: the Minnesota Family Investment Program… Continue reading What’s missing in this chart?

Policymakers can build on Minnesota’s historic progress in increasing access to affordable health care by restoring eligibility for MinnesotaCare for a group of… Continue reading Two facts that make the case for restoring MinnesotaCare eligibility levels

A report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) finds Minnesota does well on many aspects of its Assets & Opportunity… Continue reading Assets and opportunity not reaching all communities in Minnesota

Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the lawsuit concerning President Barack Obama’s 2014 executive action which,… Continue reading Economic opportunity for unauthorized immigrants on trial today

Holly Hatch-Surisook lives one mile from the successful restaurant she owns with her husband, Joe, in Northeast Minneapolis. Built from… Continue reading Creating a durable Prosperity: Why small business owners call for state investments

This is the second story in a series that shares why small business owners believe it’s important to reinvest our budget surplus… Continue reading An entrepreneur’s take on Minnesota’s budget debate

The Minnesota Senate released its budget targets on Wednesday, which describe how they propose using the state’s projected surplus to make… Continue reading Senate targets prioritize sustainable tax changes, broader opportunity

A lot has changed in the 24 years since the Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) was created to expand access to health… Continue reading Preserving the provider tax is vital for affordable health care in Minnesota

The state’s latest economic figures show little change from what was measured in the February forecast. The state of Minnesota… Continue reading April Economic Update: Slight dip in revenues and economic growth, otherwise on track

Minnesota policymakers entered the 2016 Legislative Session with a projected $900 million surplus for the remainder of the current FY… Continue reading House budget targets give some answers and leave questions

If state policymakers fail to invest in child care assistance, fewer families will have access to affordable child care from a… Continue reading New issue brief highlights the need for action to support working families with Basic Sliding Fee

Health insurance is a basic necessity — and if you don’t have it, Minnesota’s nation-leading health care system might as well… Continue reading Smart policy interventions can shrink racial disparities: The example of health insurance

Policymakers from across the state have begun to pay more attention to Minnesota’s open secret: our economic success story often… Continue reading Voices for Racial Justice agenda maps out ways to make progress on racial equity

Children benefit when their parents have a stable immigration status, according to a report from the Migration Policy Institute. The findings show… Continue reading More evidence that stable status is good for families and the economy

Undocumented immigrants play a vital role in Minnesota’s economy and paid $87 million in state and local taxes in 2012,… Continue reading Undocumented immigrants contribute $87 million in Minnesota taxes, more expected with immigration reform

Undocumented immigrants play a vital role in Minnesota’s economy and currently pay $77 million in state and local taxes, according to a new… Continue reading Undocumented immigrants contribute $77 million in Minnesota taxes, more with immigration reform

A group of small-business owners kicked off the 2016 Legislative Session with a message for policymakers: Large tax cuts aren’t… Continue reading Small businesses call for strategic investments in a durable prosperity for Minnesota

In the tax portion of his supplemental budget proposal released today, Governor Mark Dayton continues to prioritize sustainable tax choices that move… Continue reading Governor Dayton’s 2016 tax proposal focuses on everyday Minnesotans through Working Family Credit, Child & Dependent Care Credit

Governor Mark Dayton today released his supplemental budget, which focuses on making key investments to expand opportunity in Minnesota. The supplemental budget describes… Continue reading Governor Dayton’s 2016 supplemental budget focuses on expanding opportunity, narrowing disparities

A new report out today relies on an incorrect use of IRS data to make claims about income leaving the… Continue reading IRS data doesn’t show that money walks

According to last week’s state budget forecast, Minnesota’s Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance is projected to serve 4,598 fewer families every month in… Continue reading The big, important number in the forecast for working families with kids

The $900 million state budget surplus projected in today’s state February Forecast in part reflects the fact that our state economy is… Continue reading Fair and sustainable tax decisions are essential to build a future of shared prosperity

The new state budget figures released today reflect the overall strength of Minnesota’s economy and demonstrate that some resources are available for policymakers to invest… Continue reading February Forecast shows surplus, but need for caution

When a family falls on hard times, the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) can provide some vital, basic resources to… Continue reading Minnesota’s most basic support for families is stuck in a 30-year-long time warp, and it’s hurting 64,000 of our kids

When the lottery of life leaves a Minnesotan injured or ill, they should have affordable access to Minnesota’s first-rate health care system… Continue reading Health Care Finance Task Force ends with a bold statement for a healthier, more equitable Minnesota

Three research projects making a big splash in the social sciences last year build a strong case for addressing the… Continue reading Why 2015 should be remembered for research that strongly supports Basic Sliding Fee

Looking over the 2015 blogs garnering the most reads over the last year provides a road map of sorts for… Continue reading Most popular blogs of 2015 forecast issues of 2016

Minnesota collected slightly more than expected revenues, and the U.S. economy is expected to continue to grow, according to a… Continue reading January Economic Update shows Minnesota on track

With a successful Senate vote earlier today, Congress has now approved a broad tax and budget deal that includes crucial… Continue reading Federal budget deal does right by 111,000 hard-working Minnesota families

Minnesota has the resources to get one step closer to being a state where every family knows they won’t have… Continue reading Top takeaways for Health Care Finance Task Force from this month’s Health Care Access Fund update

I recently attended a Summit on Economic Reality for Black Minnesotans, where black community leaders talked about policy changes for addressing the… Continue reading Policymakers should prioritize building a state economy that works for all Minnesotans

Undocumented immigrants already contribute to the national economy in many ways. Many of them work and pay taxes, and nationally… Continue reading Inclusive policies that expand opportunity also improve the economy

Last month, a federal court set another delay for President Barack Obama’s executive action that would allow millions of undocumented immigrants in the… Continue reading Economic opportunity delayed for 30,000 Minnesotans

Today’s Minnesota November 2015 Budget and Economic Forecast shows positive news for two budget cycles, and shows once again that Minnesota has… Continue reading Positive budget forecast offers chance for broader prosperity, greater fairness in tax system

Update: Since this blog was published, the deadline to get covered through MNsure by a health insurance plan with coverage starting January… Continue reading Got health insurance? Open enrollment has been extended

Throughout our country’s history, immigrants have played important roles in strengthening our economy and shaping our communities. They are our… Continue reading Improving federal and state policies can expand immigrants’ contributions to Minnesota

An asthma attack, a broken leg or diabetes can easily put a family’s financial health at risk, even when that… Continue reading Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs challenge family budgets

Without assistance, many Minnesota families would be unable to afford health care. Even families with earnings well above the federal… Continue reading Even with assistance, low- and middle-income Minnesotans face burdensome health care costs

Progress accumulates in steps. And Minnesota is taking critical steps to ensure we’re better prepared for the next economic downturn.… Continue reading New report shows Minnesota is half way towards budget reserve goal

Minnesota is starting the current budget year stronger than expected, according to Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB). MMB’s October Revenue and Economic Update finds… Continue reading Minnesota starts budget year with good news

Despite a rise in productivity in the U.S. economy, we aren’t seeing much growth in wages. In fact, many Minnesota… Continue reading Economic recovery is not reaching all Minnesotans

Only one group of American workers is pushed deeper into poverty by the federal tax code: 7 million childless workers, including… Continue reading Let’s make sure successful tax credits reach all struggling workers

Today’s Census update tells us a familiar story: Minnesota incomes are strong compared to much of the rest of the nation, but that isn’t… Continue reading More from the Census: Minnesota’s high income persists, but so does our unequal distribution of opportunity

Census data released today gives us a bird’s eye view of America, allowing us to see a country where many families are still… Continue reading News from the Census: More people have health coverage, poverty rate unchanged, and policy choices lift millions out of poverty

A recent report measures the wide racial wealth gap in the United States, and points to public policy decisions that can… Continue reading Policies play a big role in the nation’s racial wealth gap

More than 240,000 Minnesota workers will have a harder time supporting their families if Congress doesn’t act to prevent key provisions… Continue reading More than 240,000 Minnesota workers would lose out if federal tax provisions expire

Minnesota policymakers can push back on one of poverty’s most pernicious impacts on children. New medical research shows that poverty can delay the… Continue reading This is your brain on tax credits

A report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, Out of Reach 2015, shows that workers need to earn about twice the minimum wage… Continue reading Affordable housing is out of reach for many Minnesotans

Medicaid turns 50 today, and if it were a person, the people showing up to its birthday party would come… Continue reading Medicaid’s 50th birthday celebrates a diverse group of Minnesotans