No bill is ‘dead’ until lawmakers go home
That truism was proven once again when a proposal to raise taxes for highways and transit was revived on the Senate floor and approved.
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.
Expand transit in this legislative session? Talk’s cheap
Visions of securing funding to expand the regional bus system and build multiple new rail-transit lines are fading.
Minnesota income tax increases virtually certain — but not tax reform
But others are under consideration, too, such as expanding the sales tax to clothing and consumer services and raising taxes on alcohol and tobacco.
Is Minnesota friendly to small businesses?
A recent study of businesses finds taxes were not the prime concern when rating the business climate of a state or city.
Dayton tax on rich would send Minnesota back near top of U.S. rankings
The governor would move in the opposite direction of former DFL Gov. Rudy Perpich.
Minnesota’s legislators: Are they underpaid?
For obvious political reasons, legislators are reluctant to vote to raise their own pay.
‘UnSession’ aims to restore original intent of annual legislative sessions
Gov. Dayton wants even-year sessions devoted to eliminating “unnecessary or redundant laws, rules and regulations” and other efficiency efforts.
Tax experts, economists say Dayton’s business sales tax is a bad idea
Tax policy wonks strongly object to taxing business-to-business services for multiple reasons, chief among them that it results in “tax pyramiding.”
3 reasons why Dayton’s property tax plan is wrong-headed
When it comes to property taxes, Gov. Mark Dayton’s reform plan contains surprisingly little in the way of reform.
Expanding sales tax to clothing and services tempts Dayton
It would produce more state revenue, but also criticism from retailers and consumers.
Minnesota retailers: All they want for Christmas is tax fairness
Remote online sellers are gobbling up an ever-growing share of the retail market and eroding Minnesota’s sales tax base.
No more homestead credit: Has that meant higher property taxes?
The precise impact of the change is difficult to gauge because the property tax system has so many moving parts.
Ballpark not the end of St. Paul’s development challenges
Its downtown still faces serious economic challenges and several daunting questions as it awaits the anticipated benefits of the 2014 light rail line.
New hybrid buses are latest part of Metro Transit’s Go Greener campaign
The two new ones will join 97 hybrid electric buses, which operate on some of the agency’s busiest urban routes.
The NetWork: Innovative model for ex-offenders
Minneapolis-based group offers a comprehensive program – including life coaches 24 hours a day — to help ex-offenders re-enter society.
Electricity study aims to keep Minnesota lights on
The Citizens League has engaged about 150 Minnesotans to help identify the key characteristics of an “ideal” electrical system.
Could Minnesota safely cut prison sentences and save money?
A national study says yes, but the state corrections department questions some of its findings. Two judicial system veterans, however, welcome the input.
Minnesota’s planning laws lag behind the leaders
Unlike the Portland Metro Council, our Met Council does not have the benefit of a statewide land-use planning law.
Minnesota’s local governments may need to learn to ‘share’
Merging entire governmental units may not work, but sharing some services could produce savings, a new report says.
Responding to demand, state and regional agencies build more trails
Pressured by public and health advocates, the number of trails in state, county and regional parks is soaring.
