Tag: Minnesota economy

Reformer Radio: Where the economy goes from here

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Unemployment in Minnesota has returned to near pre-pandemic lows and labor force participation continues to tick up, but recovery in the economy has been uneven and stunted by a persistent labor shortage.

On this week’s Reformer Radio, host Max Nesterak’s talks with Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove about the state of the economy and its future.

Grove left an executive-level job at Google to head DEED under Gov. Tim Walz in his home state. About a year later, the pandemic led to massive unemployment and disruptions across the economy, requiring his agency to play a key role in the state’s COVID-19 response through distributing benefits to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: February 26, 2021

Governor Walz: State to Vaccinate 70% of Seniors by End of March Before Expanding Vaccine Eligibility

Minnesota COVID Vaccination Plan


This week, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will remain focused on vaccinating most of the state’s seniors before expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Walz issued guidance to vaccinate 70% of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility, and aims to reach this goal by the end of March. The directive is the latest commitment of the Walz-Flanagan Administration to vaccinating seniors and keeping them safe.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: February 26, 2021”

House DFL Leadership statement on the February Economic Forecast

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota Management and Budget released the February Economic Forecast, showing a projected positive balance of $1.5 billion for the current biennium. While the forecast does show a positive balance, it includes inflation on the revenue side and excludes it on the spending side in several key areas. When estimated inflation is taken into account, there is a projected deficit of $654 million in fiscal years 2022-23.

“There is only a ‘surplus’ in the true sense of the word if Minnesotans believe that we’ve fully invested in what Minnesota needs,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We need to make investments in education, health care, and families’ economic security. With a potential economic slowdown on the horizon, DFLers think it’s important to make investments in the areas that will build a better future for all Minnesotans.”

“All Minnesotans benefit from a strong economy, and Minnesota needs more workers and better education to succeed,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Investments in early childhood education to close the education opportunity gap, reducing barriers to immigration, and making affordable health care a reality will all contribute to Minnesota’s future economic success. Minnesotans support these investments and welcome immigrants to our communities. Irresponsible Republican tax cuts and future deficits will undermine our ability to make the long-term sustainable investments our state needs.”