Report: State’s health care spending outpaces nation: Minnesota spent $35.1 billion on health care in 2008, up 5.7 percent from $33.2 billion in 2007, according to a report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Health. Public spending grew 8.2 percent for the year, while private spending climbed 4 percent. Total spending grew more quickly in Minnesota than for the nation as a whole, which saw an increase of 4.4 percent in 2008. Read full story
Ramstad joins Houston tax firm: Former Congressman Jim Ramstad has joined the Houston-based tax firm alliantgroup as a senior adviser. The Republican Minnesotan served 18 years in the House and was chairman of the IRS Oversight Committee. The company specializes in helping businesses take advantage of state and federal tax incentives. Read full story
Target to open more clinics: Target Corp. announced Wednesday it will open eight new Target Clinic locations in early September — five in Chicago and three in Palm Beach, Fla. Minneapolis-based Target first introduced the clinics in 2006.. It currently operates 28 locations in Minnesota and Maryland. Read full story
St. Paul Foundation wins $1.8M anti-racism grant: The St. Paul Foundation said Wednesday that it has been awarded a $1.8 million W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to expand an anti-racism initiative across the state of Minnesota. The “Facing Race: We’re All in This Together” initiative has been St. Paul-focused so far. Read full story
