What Michigan can learn from Minnesota
Detroit News
June 27, 2014
It’s an article of faith among many elected officials that low taxes and tight-fisted government spending are essential to healthy state economies.Minnesota has for decades adhered to a different strategy, one that embraces high taxes to fund education, transportation, a strong social safety net and other investments required for citizens to prosper in a knowledge-based economy. >>Read more.
People need to stop using political slogans as a substitute for critical thinking
Michigan Radio
June 24, 2014
I noticed something familiar yesterday after I talked about a new investigative series in the Detroit Free Press on charter schools. What I said drew a fair amount of comment. Virtually none of the comments had to do with anything I said. >>Read more.
Minnesota’s economy is top dog in the Great Lakes region
Michigan Radio
June 23, 2014
As Michigan keeps trying to climb back out of the huge hole that was the Great Recession, a new report suggests we might want to take a closer look at one of our Great Lakes neighbors: Minnesota. A new study done for the nonpartisan think tank Michigan Future examines the policies, priorities and economies of Michigan and Minnesota. >>Read more.
Stephen Henderson: If taxes are evil, why is Minnesota working?
Wausau Daily Herald
June 23, 2014
When you look over into your neighbor’s yard and see greener grass, it’s worth wondering what elixir he’s using to get better results. Right? So lawmakers in Michigan, where the economy has been on a steady but slow rebound for the past four years, ought to be thinking pretty hard about what has gone on in Minnesota, which has grown its economy — and per capita incomes in particular — much quicker. >>Read more.
SELWESKI: Snyder’s ‘comeback state’ slogan wearing thin
Daily Tribune
June 21, 2014
More than a year ago, Gov. Rick Snyder confidently decided upon his 2014 campaign bumper sticker – Michigan is the nation’s “Comeback State.” The governor routinely spouts a list of statistics that boasts of Michigan’s gains since the Great Recession – unemployment down, income up, manufacturing jobs up, home sales up, plant closings down. In fact, the percentages are quite significant. >>Read more.
Could Michigan learn from Minnesota’s high tax success?
WKAR
June 19, 2014
As Michigan works to recover from the economic downturn and the decline in its manufacturing base, there have been plenty of debates over which policies will set Michigan on a long-term path toward more prosperity. With much of the state government controlled by the Republican Party, often the path touted to bring Michigan’s economy back involves lower taxes, a decrease in regulations, and an overall reduction in the role of government. >>Read more.
Stephen Henderson: Think taxes are evil? Well, go ask Minnesota
Detroit Free Press
June 19, 2014
When you look over into your neighbor’s yard and see greener grass, it’s worth wondering what elixir he’s using to get better results. Right? So lawmakers in Michigan, where the economy has been on a steady but slow rebound for the past four years, ought to be thinking pretty hard about what has gone on in Minnesota, which has grown its economy — and per capita incomes in particular — much quicker. >>Read more.
Michigan still looking to recover jobs lost in the Great Recession
Detroit Free Press
June 18, 2014
Two weeks ago, the U.S. government released jobs data showing the nation had finally recovered all the jobs it had lost during the Great Recession five years ago. That’s the good news. Here’s the less good news: No matter how low Michigan’s unemployment rate drops when the state reports jobless numbers today, the total number of jobs in Michigan will remain far short of its pre-recession total. >>Read more.
20 Years Ago, Michigan And Minnesota Were Comparable — How Has Minnesota Pulled Ahead?
CBS Detroit
June 16, 2014
A mix of higher taxes and targeted investment by leaders in Minnesota have helped the state be an economic leader among Great Lakes states, according to a new report titled “State Policies Matter: How Minnesota’s tax spending and social policies help it achieve the best economy among Great Lakes state.” >>Read more.
Why Minnesota outpaces Michigan: Higher taxes?
Bring Me The News
June 16, 2014
Although Minnesota and Michigan are about the same size and in the same region of the nation, Minnesota typically outscores its neighbor to the east on most measurements of business and prosperity. Now a new study suggests why. Think tank Michigan Future Inc. produced a report titled, “State Policies Matter: How Minnesota’s tax, spending and social policies help it achieve the best economy among the Great Lakes states.” >>Read more.
Report: Higher taxes helped Minn. economy outpace Michigan
Crain’s Detroit Business
June 16, 2014
Higher taxes — including those on business — are the key to Minnesota’s economic good fortune in recent years, according to a report issued Monday by Michigan Future Inc. that takes an in-depth look at why our neighbor state has so outpaced Michigan in economic fortune since 1990. >>Read more.
