Bridging the Metro-Rural Divide Our presentation on how to build a One Minnesota policy framework, bridging the metro-rural divide, was one of the most popular breakout sessions at the annual League of Minnesota Cities conference, held last week in Rochester. From the League’s summary of our presentation: “Matt Schmit (Policy & Projects Director for Growth & Justice) described the lack of direction that comes from divis... Read More
Minuses and Pluses of the 2017 Session As you receive this week’s E-News, the Minnesota Legislature is grinding through an overtime special session, working through the details of an overall budget agreement that will at least avert a state government shutdown. We’ll be analyzing the outcomes with our partners in various coalitions for the next few days and weeks. We know enough to be concerned. Despite a large pro... Read More
G&J On the Air in Greater MN Our Minnesota Rural Equity Project is catching the attention of the Greater Minnesota news media. Recently Growth & Justice President Dane Smith was interviewed on “Ag Afternoon” by Sonja Langseth of KWOA in Worthington, and on “Ox in the Afternoon” by Dan Ochsner of KNSI in St. Cloud. The podcasts of those interviews reveal strong interest by these local jou... Read More
Working in Coalitions on Legislative Outcomes As the 2017 legislative session nears its adjournment deadline, Growth & Justice is partnering closely with key non-profits and partisan coalitions and advocating for policies that strengthen our economy, broaden prosperity, and improve the lives of ALL Minnesotans. Some of our efforts are defensive, opposing proposed deep cuts in our public investments for economic security, health care and opp... Read More
What Rural People Really Think Last month Growth & Justice offered ideas and policy recommendations from our Minnesota Rural Equity Project at a listening session in Norwood Young America, one of 14 stops in a statewide tour conducted by the Minnesota Farmers Union. The MFU’s report from their tour, “What Do Rural People Think,” was issued last week and earned favorable media coverage. The rep... Read More