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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.


August 21, 2019

July / August 2019

State Budget Process Reform: New Rules Can’t Help What Also Troubles Minnesota

“Wagner’s Law” combined with a broken competitive structure in politics underlies and complicates the major challenge of successful state budget process reform.

“Fix It or Junk It”

As long-time MCFE research director Aaron Twait leaves to embark on his new career, he was asked if there is was one parting recommendation he wanted to leave to the world of state government.  The answer: some frank advice regarding the Minnesota Price of Government.

“The Keys to Minnesota’s Competitive Future”  MCFE Annual Meeting and Policy Forum

Join us the morning of October 9th at the St. Paul River Centre for a look at Minnesota's competitiveness -- where we stand, how the concept itself is evolving, and most importantly what we need to be doing going forward.

Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

 Aaron gets the last word in this issue.   Thank you Aaron for your great work!

June 14, 2019

May / June 2019

Session Reflections: About As Good As Could Be Expected

Reactions and analysis on some of the higher profile tax and fiscal issues making up the 2019 legislative session.

Minnesota Takeaways From the Payable 2018 50 State Property Tax Comparison Study

Forthcoming results from the Payable 2018 report will show 2017 state general tax changes had an impact while homeowners remain solidly average.

Yes, Minnesota, Our Commercial Property Taxes Are High Relative to Most Other States

Rehashed, rewarmed criticism of our 50 State Study still doesn’t change the fact Minnesota’s business property tax rankings are deserved.

May 07, 2019

March / April 2019

A Feeling of “TCJA Vu”

We’ve experienced this session’s tax conformity debate before.  The ending may be different this time but will likely forego an important opportunity.

The Other State Fiscal Consequence of Federal Corporate Tax Reform

The TCJA has been a very fortuitous and beneficial development for Minnesota’s struggling public pension plans but might also play a supporting role in a real state pension fix.