State Employee Contracts and Budget Uncertainty

At the same time COVID is bringing the state economy to its knees, state employee contracts are up for ratification requiring an uncomfortable vote.   The numbers are getting all the attention, but from a policy standpoint it’s the distribution of those increases that deserves more consideration.

Our Flagship Studies View All

How Does Minnesota Compare?

Provides state-by-state rankings of state & local government revenues and spending

50-State Property Tax Comparison Study

This unique study compares property tax burdens on residential homestead, apartment, commercial/retail and industrial/manufacturing parcels across the country

Multi-State Individual Income Tax Comparison Study

Compares individual income tax burdens for various filer types at different income levels

Fiscal Focus View All

2/25/2020

January / February 2020

2020 Session at a Glance

A look at a couple of the major tax and fiscal policy issues that will be occupying lawmakers attention this year.

Fire up the Seniors:  The Push to Exempt Social Security

Deeply problematic in principle but politically opportunistic, the justifications for exempting all Social Security income from state taxation fail policy, economic and demographic realities.

Time to Reassess the State Property Tax

There is nothing quite like the State General Tax anywhere else in the country.  There's a reason for that.

Legislative Spotlight View All

3/23/2020

Spotlight 20-03

Issue 3 covers bills introduced through March 20.