As progress continues on federal health care reform, the final package is becoming clearer. While many likely reforms (such as high medical loss ratios) are already in effect here in Minnesota, there are a few key provisions that affect us.
Key reforms include expanded eligibility for Medicaid (which could be a [...]
When the first major snow storm of the winter is about to hit, we Minnesotans expectedly make a big deal out of it. Why wouldn’t we? We love snow. However, we also like our streets to be plowed in short order. That may not be the case this year. In [...]
We let Governor Pawlenty try it his way. After refusing to compromise with the Legislature on a plan of spending reductions and revenue increases, the Governor began a series of unilateral budget cuts in an effort to balance the state’s books all by himself. Some of [...]
Tomorrow’s release of the state budget forecast won’t be much of a surprise to people of all political stripes. Despite Governor Pawlenty’s draconian cuts to health care and property tax relief, along with his $1 billion IOU to schools, Minnesota’s budget will be full of red ink.
The [...]
As the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season approaches this Friday, Minnesota 2020 is once again urging Minnesotans to think about how we spend our dollars. “Made in MN 2009: Homegrown Holidays,” illustrates how Minnesota would gain a $2 billion economic stimulus if Minnesotans targeted 25 percent of [...]
In 1991, conservative public policymakers made a compromise in their efforts to send public money to private schools in the form of vouchers. Instead, Minnesota created charter schools. These schools would be independent, have fewer licensure regulations, have unelected boards, and extra state money (being unable [...]
We recently learned that after ending health insurance for 30,000 of the poorest Minnesotans on a program called General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), Governor Pawlenty plans to shift most of these individuals to MinnesotaCare. While MinnesotaCare has worked extremely well for working Minnesotans who are unable to access affordable health [...]
Here’s your Friday news summary. Have a great weekend!
MinnPost: Minnesota falls short on Medicaid for nursing homes
Our own Nina Slupphaug appears in MinnPost to highlight this troubling problem.
“Minnesota’s long-term care facilities face a substantial gap between the rates paid by Medicaid for nursing home [...]
What do charter schools and traditional public schools have in common? They’re all public schools that are funded with public money. The difference? Public schools operate inside school districts. These districts have publicly elected boards and licensed professionals overseeing how that public money is invested. Charter schools don’t have those [...]
It was a breath of fresh air to read the final report from the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Taskforce, the group Governor Pawlenty appointed to research Minnesota’s broadband needs. Specifically, the report says all Minnesotans should have access to download speeds of 10-20 megabits per [...]
As the dissection of yesterday’s elections continues, it’s apt to look at the policy implications. The biggest? Minnesotans aren’t afraid to pay more in taxes if it means investment in core areas. Don’t believe me? Yesterday, voters in most Minnesota school districts agreed to raise [...]
A key provision of President Obama’s economic recovery package is a provision to pay 65% of health insurance coverage laid off workers can obtain through their former employer. For many Minnesotans, that coverage is about to run out soon.
While the subsidy has been extremely helpful, it brings up a larger [...]
Star Tribune: Lori Sturdevant: All for one, one for all? Not just now in Minnesota
A very practical reason why it’s important for the state to share revenue with communities
“The result: In Red Wing, according to Mayor John Howe, Xcel paid property taxes of nearly [...]
While state and federal elections are a year off, there are plenty of local offices and ballot initiatives at stake in communities across Minnesota next week. One proposal looks to lay advanced fiber optic cable across Cook County (Minnesota’s Arrowhead) to deliver blazing fast internet, [...]
Yesterday, we learned that federal health care reform will likely include a public health insurance option in order to ensure prices are competitive. It’s a good move, given the proposal requires all Americans to buy health insurance.
There is a provision, however, that allows individual states to “opt-out” of the [...]
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
AP: Rival high school marching bands combine to survive (via MPR)
Another sign of shrinking school investment.
“The 212 Regiment Marching Band is believed to be one of only a handful of paired high school marching bands in the state. There are [...]
Time to kick off your Wednesday news roundup:
Bemidji Pioneer: Minnesota 2020 report: State dangerously lags nation in school counselors
Our own John Fitzgerald was in Bemidji yesterday to speak with area counselors and the Pioneer was there.
“That steep deficiency in school counselors can lead to increasing [...]
Any time our state’s official unemployment rate drops significantly, it’s decidedly not a bad thing. According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 8 percent in August to 7.3 percent in September. On paper this looks great. Sadly, Minnesota still [...]
Today, Minnesota 2020 initiated yet another way to communicate progressive policy ideas with our new iPhone app (iTunes link). The free app is the next step in using any way we can to communicate a progressive policy vision for Minnesota.
We started in 2007 with [...]
With property taxes due on Thursday, it’s apt that we look at how Minnesota’s city property taxes have gone up more than 13 percent since 2002, while LGA (state revenue sharing to cities) dropped by 44 percent.
Can our state policymakers claim a “no new taxes” record while cuts in [...]
Your snowy Monday news roundup:
Star Tribune: Stimulus spending in Minnesota saved or retained 11,800 jobs
Putting it into perspective, it means nearly 12,000 more people who can put food on the table and have health care for their families.
“In addition to the federal awards, individual tax [...]
Hope you’re having a good Friday, and here’s hoping the Twins and Gophers can get some wins this weekend. Here’s your Friday news roundup:
AP: Tickets Available for First Northstar Ride (via KSTP)
Hard to believe Northstar is ready to go. Will you be riding?
Here’s your Wednesday news roundup:
MPR: St. John’s Abbey gets Upper Midwest’s largest solar farm
Minnesota has much more potential for solar energy. This is a great first step.
“The solar farm will be four times bigger than Minnesota’s current largest solar power system, and it will generate [...]
The Twins keep rolling and so do we with today’s news summary:
Star Tribune: Community leaders invited to spend day in Minnesota classrooms
This is a great idea to remind people of the important work going on in classrooms across the state. Kudos to Education Minnesota for [...]
Get ready for your Tuesday news summary. P.S. Go Twins!
MinnPost: Minnesotans without health insurance could rise to 655,000 in 10 years, study finds
We need to get health care reform now.
“Nationwide, Lavizzo-Mourey said that the cost to American businesses for their workers’ health care could double. [...]
We’re already hearing talk of the recession being “over.” Stocks are beginning to rally, the housing market seems to be leveling out, but job numbers still lag. Today, we’re going beyond the statistics to ask your opinion.
Has your personal economic situation improved, gotten worse, stayed the same?
Here’s your Monday news summary. P.S. Skol, Vikings!
Northland’s News Center: Iron Range Economic Recovery
It’s nice to see some good economic news from the Range.
“The Iron Range has had some of the highest unemployment rates in the state. Now, with nearly all the mines up and [...]
Sorry to say there isn’t much good news on this gloomy Thursday:
KSTP: More Budget Cuts Coming at Hennepin County Medical Center
How can our state’s busiest hospital sustain more cuts as costs continue to rise?
“Officials are now deciding where to cut $43 million and everything is [...]
Here’s your Wednesday news update:
These are great public investments that require none, or very little transmission improvements.
“A few Minnesota cities are heading toward greener pastures — and taller [...]
Here’s your Tuesday news roundup:
KARE: 8 Anoka-Hennepin schools will close
The perfect storm of budget cuts and declining enrollment has spelled the end of these schools.
“The district expects to save $3 million annually with the closings, money that will be applied toward an $18 million dollar [...]
We Minnesotans pride ourselves on some of the best public schools in the country (and world). However, given today’s news about our education investment dropping BELOW the national average and Governor Pawlenty’s $1 billion IOU to schools, we are in a conundrum. Making matters worse, we’re expecting [...]
Get ready, here comes your Monday news summary:
MPR: New 35W features opening to relieve congestion
This is a good first step in relieving congestion in a key transportation corridor.
“Beginning Monday morning, there’s a new southern suburbs express bus service, and then Wednesday at 6 a.m. 35W [...]
Here’s your Friday news summary:
Mankato Free Press: Mayors sound LGA alarm
As Minnesota 2020 has done in the past, these Greater Minnesota mayors are out showing why LGA is critical in allowing cities to provide vital services while keeping property taxes down.
“According to the coalition, state [...]
Part of Minnesota 2020’s mission is to point out what’s working in Minnesota. With that in mind, congratulations are in order to Macalester College for obtaining LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council on their new Markim [...]
Let’s be clear, Minnesota is facing more than $6 billion in red ink in the next budget cycle. Governor Pawlenty and his conservative allies “solved” the last multi-billion dollar deficit by unilaterally taking health insurance away from 30,000 Minnesotans, writing school children [...]
Here’s your Wednesday news roundup:
Star Tribune: Lori Sturdevant: Life after ‘no new taxes’
An honest analysis of what needs to be done.
It’s a good move. Schools are already facing tight [...]
We’re talking taxes in your Tuesday news roundup:
MinnPost: Pawlenty’s county cuts will lead to higher property taxes
MN2020’s Jeff Van Wychen shares his research with MinnPost.
“There have been two major effects of the cuts in county revenue imposed by the state over [...]
This flu season we’re facing multiple threats; the regular seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu. We’re already hearing reports that some outlets are running out of the vaccine. Some may even risk infection because they either can’t or won’t pay the $25 a shot will cost [...]
Here’s your Monday news roundup:
Star Tribune: Minnesota foreclosures highest in the region
Be sure to check out Nora Ferrell’s post detailing this finding.
Marshall Independent: Free and reduced lunches pay off for families
Another example that help like this is a [...]
Here’s your Thursday news summary:
Star Tribune: Minnesota jobless rate drops slightly
It’s not all bad when the unemployment rate drops, but we still lost a net 10,300 jobs in August. We still have a ways to go.
Here’s your Wednesday news roundup:
KARE: Stimulus money flows into Minnesota
Be sure to check out our recent report on how federal recovery dollars help Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure.
“Scholars and political operatives will spend years debating the true value and impact of the American [...]
If your city or school district has a primary, don’t forget to vote! Here’s your daily news roundup:
St. Cloud Times: Saving city money means losing elsewhere
Another example of why LGA is good for Minnesota communities and what life without it means.
“Less [...]
The national health care debate has hit home in recent days. President Obama’s Saturday visit and Governor Pawlenty’s suggestion to isolate Minnesota from national health care reform have sparked discussions on Minnesota’s role.
So, we’re asking Minnesota 2020 readers what our role should be. Do we take [...]
In what is surely a pander to a rigid, ideologically conservative base, Governor Tim Pawlenty suggested invoking “states rights” to exempt Minnesota from President Obama’s bold health care initiative. Constitutional debate aside, the Governor unfortunately is missing the point about why Minnesota’s [...]
Let’s jump right into today’s news summary:
Marshall Independent: Less spending name of the game for cities
Part two of a great series about what Minnesota communities are facing.
“Miller said Canby has been trimming its budget down as far as it can without [...]
Fresh off his speech to Congress last night, President Obama will visit Minnesota on Saturday to talk about health care reform. Sadly, all is not well in a state that prides itself on a low uninsured rate. Today, the census bureau released [...]
Governor Tim Pawlenty likes to tell everyone he hasn’t raised taxes as Governor. Today’s news roundup proves that many of his cuts actually are tax increases:
Star Tribune: County Board backs 5% ceiling on tax increase
How’s that “no new taxes” pledge working out [...]
It’s back to school and back to Minnesota policy news:
Star Tribune: Hennepin County may raise property taxes nearly 5%
Again, when the Governor says he’s not raising taxes, it’s not the whole story.
“Hennepin County is proposing to raise property taxes next year by [...]
While the debate rages on about national health care reform, Minnesota has a lot to be proud of. Our unisured rate is one of the lowest in the nation, MinnesotaCare is an efficient public option, and we have a successful co-op in HealthPartners. With that in mind, [...]
More news about Minnesota 2020’s latest report kicks off your Thursday roundup:
Mankato Free Press: Counselors need freedom to counsel
“But due to a number of factors, Fredrickson’s contact time with students has shrunk over the years while his administrative duties have increased.
