How the Twin City Lines bus strike transformed transit in Minneapolis and St. Paul
The strike provided the opportunity for public acquisition of the company and dramatic service improvements.
Steven Dornfeld
Steven Dornfeld reports on government, politics and public policy issues. He has been a government reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. From 2003 to 2011, he was the Metropolitan Council’s director of public affairs.
The Twin Cities transit system is seriously off track
The Twin Cities’ system for planning, developing and operating transit is cumbersome, inefficient and increasingly dysfunctional.
Wendell Anderson: A shooting star who fell to earth
Anderson, who died Sunday at age 83, was Minnesota’s first made-for-television governor. But his “Minnesota Miracle” was followed in 1978 by the “Minnesota Massacre.”
Minnesota’s business-expansion grants draw critics on right and left
But the benefitting businesses love the grants, as do the cities where the jobs are created and the tax base is expanded.
In defense of the Met Council
Critics don’t appreciate the problems that gave rise to the much-maligned council’s creation — or that it remains a national model for regional planning.
With federal highway trust fund running on empty, Minnesota transportation advocates want action
MnDOT chief Charles Zelle believes projects’ cash flow can be managed short-term but would face “a great reduction” down the road.
Why is Southwest LRT in trouble? Blame county-led planning
The current system leads county commissioners to promote their favored projects for parochial political reasons and to gloss over any problems.
Need for more state transportation funding grows, but not the political will
Funding for new projects has been hard to come by, with most of the focus being placed on low-cost, high-benefit improvements that improve safety and remove bottlenecks.
How taxpayers subsidize low-wage workers
A study of fast-food workers is being used to bolster the argument for an increase in the minimum wage in Minnesota and at the federal level.
Minnesota’s legislative process: An open-but-shut case
Efforts to increase transparency in the early 1970s have been slip-sliding away.
Despite Revenue report, it’s too early to assume your property-tax bill will rise
Lots of factors determine a homeowner’s final tax bill, but it is safe to assume that Minnesota property taxes won’t decline as much as DFL leaders claimed.
Minnesota faces a bumpy road in trying to fund transportation needs
Transportation Commissioner Charles Zelle is making the case for new investments to improve the system and keep Minnesota economically competitive.
How Minnesota can reduce its prison population
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says U.S. prisons are too swollen, and experts in Minnesota suggest solutions.
It’s party time: Minnesota lawmakers change key ethics rules
The change in the law will once again permit lavish legislative parties and receptions paid for by special-interest groups.
New tax bill laced with special tax breaks for selected businesses
Some call it “economic development,” while others view it as “corporate welfare.”
Minnesota’s new tax laws decidedly lacking in reform
Gov. Mark Dayton can share in the blame after yanking proposals that would have modernized the tax system.
Lawmakers give Southwest Corridor LRT unexpected boost
The Legislature provides $37 million in general fund money toward the state’s 10-percent share of the project.
Both DFLers and Republicans will go home happy after session is over
DFLers will boast of a long list of accomplishments, but Republicans will have potent political issues.
DFL tax deal will test economic and political strategies
As the legislative session winds down, new developments raise fascinating economic and political questions.
Early school-fund repayment carries a big cost for small benefit
Minnesota House DFLers are pushing the questionable approach to deliver on their campaign promises.
