Introduction: As I write this, the Minnesota House is set to vote on a proposal to unionize independent, self-employed business owners who heretofore worked primarily for families of small children (home health care aides are also included). Some of these business owners have customers who receive public subsidies. AFSCME, the powerful union of state and local workers, has been seeking to unionize, and enrich its coffers with […]
Government in business
Expanding Gambling for the Wrong Reason
Gambling has been a political “hot potato” in Minnesota. What’s the right path forward? Should gambling be legal, given the costs it incurs? Humans have gambled for thousands of years, so it’s in our social if not actual DNA. Like many activities, gambling can be an enjoyable diversion. Go to the casino with a limit that’s reasonable for your financial situation and stick with it. […]
Coffee at the public library
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 grinders compatible with the quiet tones of a library? Can […]
City-owned businesses unfair to residents
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 September 17 edition (“Eagan council looks at treatment of competing […]
Once a subsidy, always a subsidy
Here’s something from the “once you start a subsidy, there’s no end” department: In 1973, the Minnesota Legislature created the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Authority. With its views of Saint Louis Bay and trails that are longer than just about anywhere in the Midwest outside of Lutsen, Minnesota, it’s a fine place to go skiing or snowboarding. But it’s also an example of the dubious […]
Tweedledee, Tweedledum? Will Coleman support UAW bailout?
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 firewall against far-left legislation coming out of the “world’s greatest […]
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 […]
An opportunity missed–and that’s a good thing
Since I’ve written before on the folly of local governments straying from their core mission by going into the sports entertainment business, I was encouraged by one recent development in Mankato. Unfortunately, it has little to do with government officials recognizing the limits of their roles. Phil Miller, an economist who publishes the Market Power blog, writes that plans for a muni-run water park are on hold. The […]
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