Mike Maguire, the mayor of Eagan, Minnesota, doesn’t like to see political yard signs this time of year, so he’s suggesting that candidates, in the words of ThisWeek newspapers, “join him in signing a pledge to delay putting up yard signs until closer to the election.” #Civics Fail Sorry, mayor, but democracy is indeed cluttered and [...]
The Star-Tribune reports on one of the latest “new” developments in the Dakota County (Minnesota) library system: A space set aside for a coffee shop at the Eagan library has remained unused, 18 months after a major remodeling project of the building. There are several problems with the cafe proposal. Is the sound of coffee [...]
As widely expected, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a monumental ruling this morning. As the Washington Post put it, “The Supreme Court ruled for the first time Monday that the Second Amendment provides all Americans a fundamental right to bear arms, a long-sought victory for gun rights advocates who have chafed at federal, state and [...]
Would Minnesota benefit from having fewer school districts? I don’t know, but based on the evidence I’ve read, I’m skeptical. Here’s what I know after some research into the question: Matthew Andrews, William Duncombe, and John Yinger (all of Syracuse University) say there may be some efficiencies to be gained from moving from consolidating very small districts–specifically, [...]
Give President Obama credit for one thing: We may look back years from now and credit his Race to the Top fund for launching the beginning of the end of teacher tenure. Colorado is on the verge of enacting a law that would dramatically weaken tenure. Money available from the fund was enticing enough to [...]
If you’re looking for a bright spot in K-12 education, check out an article in the current edition of the Minnesota Sun on the Minnesota Connections Academy, one of two dozen or so online options available to Minnesota students. The article mentions several families who benefit from online programs: A girl in Eagan who was failing classes, [...]
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
City goverments too often compete against their residents by operating government-owned enterprises. When they do, they run into a problem that could easily have been avoided. Today, the Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun-Current published a letter I wrote in response to an earlier article. No place to compete According to an article in the [...]
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
There are plenty of health-related reasons to oppose ObamaCare: It will lead to rationing by government, could stifle innovation in medical treatments, put the force of government behind cookbook medicine, and so forth. But did you know that it could also be very painful to the economy? Arthur Laffer says that it could cost each [...]
It’s time to pull out the boiling-frog analogy again. People who would make your choices for you have scored another victory, as it’s now illegal in Maine to smoke … outside. From the Kennebec Journal: “I’m happy to say that, during beautiful summer days, Maine people will no longer have to make the unfortunate choice of [...]
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Congress is taking another step towards the nationalization of the American economy as it considers bailing out the United Auto Workers and the U.S.-based automakers. Guess who may be on board? Sen. Norm Coleman, the hope of … Republicans. According to Minnesota Public Radio and the Business Journal, Coleman–who would allegedly be part of the 40-senator filibuster [...]