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Fiscal Focus

Fiscal Focus is our bimonthly publication providing news, analysis, and commentary on tax and spending topics in the headlines.


June 19, 2018

May / June 2018

Reaping the Whirlwind of a Misguided Tax Debate

A shanghaied conformity debate, a veto based on the presumptive ability to lay claim to income earned around the globe, and the lost art of compromise combine to create a tax filing season in 2019 ranging from annoying to exasperating.

Pensions: We're Not Done Yet

The celebration over this session’s primary political achievement shouldn’t distract from the fact it’s not a solution to our biggest fiscal challenge.

From The Director: Experiencing "Tax Rules for Realists"

There’s textbook principles of good tax policy, and then there’s the rules that dictate how tax policy really works.

April 30, 2018

March / April 2018

The Enormity of Conformity

All eyes are on the tax committees and the Governor as the headline issue of the 2018 session heads to its climax.

The State of the Minnesota Property Tax

New data and reports offer perspective on Minnesota property tax trends and competitiveness.

From The Director: Constitutional Dedication vs. Competition

A transportation finance hearing offers a lesson on how government is supposed to work.

February 20, 2018

January / February 2018

Minnesota, It's Your Turn Now

The future of Minnesota’s individual income tax will be front and center in the 2018 legislative session.  A look at a few of the issues lawmakers will be grappling with.

How Sweeping Federal Tax Reform May Create Benefits (and Headaches) for Minnesota Businesses

Guest contributors Christopher Martin, Senior Manager and Sarah Durst, Senior Associate of Grant Thornton’s Minneapolis SALT practice examine the extraordinarily complicated issues surrounding Minnesota’s response to federal corporate income tax reform and offer “dos and donts” for lawmakers to consider.

“Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends”

The political battle to get a signed pension bill is now in its third year and has taken on the feel of a Shakespearean play.