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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.


October 20, 2015

September/October 2015

Highlights from the MCFE 89th Annual Meeting and Policy Forum

Wrestling with the notion of business tax fairness, recommendations for the state surplus, and a “Minnesota report card” from one of the state’s most successful business leaders.

State of the State: Minnesota Tax and Spending Rankings

Our latest reporting of tax and spending data from the U.S. Census finds Minnesota back in some familiar territory.

Hug a Corporate Tax Professional Today

Given what's going on, they could probably use one.

August 11, 2015

July/August 2015

It's All About that Base, 'Bout that Base (and No Trouble)
Guest columnist Chris Martin of PricewaterhouseCoopers examines a Minnesota bill to accomplish prospective or “rolling” federal tax conformity, the rationale for pursuing it, why the issue has special relevance for 2016, and why another special session may be in our future.

Is Minnesota As Fiscally Healthy As We Seem To Be?
A new national study ranks Minnesota 31st in state fiscal health. When examining all the dimensions of short term and long term health, Minnesota may have some opportunities for improvement.

Doing the Work of Angels
Seventy-five years ago an effort was launched to make academics and government professionals the protectors and guardians of research about government. Seventy-five years later what’s left of independent, citizen- supported research on government is needed more than ever.

MCFE News and Notes: Annual Meeting and More

June 02, 2015

May / June 2015

The Tax Bill That Wasn’t

No omnibus tax bill this session is a source of consternation and frustration for many. But there is a silver lining.

When You Wish Upon a Star, Taxes Matter

A new research study concludes state taxes affect the location decisions of high-end scientific talent. It also shows Minnesota has a lot at stake – and potentially a lot to lose.

A Math Problem Called Education Finance

The balking and resistance to universal pre-K is symptomatic of a larger issue: the failure of state education aid to keep up with the rising costs of school district collective bargaining agreements.

Minnesota Findings from the 2014 50-State Property Tax Comparison Study

A new MCFE Issue Brief summarizes and highlights key Minnesota-related findings from our national property tax benchmarking study