Cato Institute gives Pawlenty a “B”
The Cato Institute has come out with its biennial report card on the fiscal performance of the nation’s governors. Gov. Tim Pawlenty earned a “B.” Chris Edwards, the institute’s director of tax-policy studies, noted that Pawlenty ran on a no-new-taxes pledge, but “his tax record in office is more mixed than that.” Edwards cites: $200 million in cigarette tax increases (“fee,” my, uhm butt) $109 million […]
Federalism for life
While King Banaian offered up a review of the economic scholarship on economic growth and tax rates, my first response to the “Minnesotans aren’t paying enough in taxes” report was more philosophical. Just because you can afford to buy more government, is it the right thing to do? A healthy society has checks and balances among various institutions, just as it has checks and balances within […]
Federalism for life
Just because you can afford to buy more government, is it the right thing to do? A healthy society has checks and balances among various institutions, just as it has checks and balances within government. I call it “federalism for life.” Religious organizations and houses of worship provide spiritual and moral guidance and instruction. Businesses large and small provide goods, services and employment through buying […]
Sports follies in Minnesota
So how’s that new Twins stadium going to benefit the economy? It won’t. Instead, it’s going to be another transfer of wealth from some people to others. Just what government does the best. Click over to Manktao-based Marketpowerblog.com for a quick review of the empty promises of stadium boosters. There are only two words that you need to understand this edific complex:rent seeking, which “starts with […]
A lesson for government from Starbucks
News that Starbucks is closing 500 stores reminds me of something I wrote earlier this year on the difference between the private sector and the public sector. McDonalds thinks that they can make a lot of money by going head-to-head with Starbucks for customers of expensive coffee. Will their plans succeed? I haven’t a clue. If they fail, they will be shut down, and the company […]
When the Legislature is in session …
There have been so many bad ideas floating around this legislative session. One place that has chronicled them is the Saint Paul Legal Ledger, a place for legal notices (business is doing very well due to bankruptcy filings and foreclosures) and wonky news articles and commentary. What follows are some brief notes on articles published there in the last month. The topics include legislative pay; […]
Minnesota is #1 for charter schools
Here’s a #1 ranking that Minnesota can be proud of. According to an annual report card report card published by the Center for Education Reform, Minnesota has the strongest charter school laws of any state. That is, charter schools are more secure here, and have a better chance of having an effect on education than anywhere in any other state. Under the center’s framework, a strong […]