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| January 16, 2009 With more than a $5 billion projected budget shortfall, and the possibility this will increase to a $6 billion budget deficit when the February forecast is released, all eyes will be on legislators and the governor to show leadership to move the state forward during these tough economic times. The last time the state faced more than a $4 billion budget deficit, in 2003, it had budget reserves and money in a tobacco endowment to ease the pain. This time those resources are not available. If increasing state revenues fairly is not part of the plan to balance the budget and the “no new taxes” philosophy of running government prevails, millions of Minnesotans will be impacted adversely. This means more cuts for schools already being asked to do more with less, more families plagued by rising health care and tuition costs, and further deterioration in transportation and infrastructure systems on which our economy and business climate depend. Perhaps more important, our long-term economic future is in peril if the crucial, evidence-based interventions and public investments the things that build human capital and infrastructure continue to be ignored. As a Minnesota think tank that focuses on how to invest for broader prosperity, Growth & Justice will reinforce with our leaders that it is possible to have both economic growth and economic justice. This session we will support a legislative agenda that calls on our leaders to Invest for Real Prosperity through: making revenue part of the solution to close the budget deficit and raising this revenue fairly; making Smart Investments in cost-effective, evidenced-based proposals for education and infrastructure; and maintaining fiscal discipline and accountability to the public. Growth & Justice will again work with the Invest in Minnesota Campaign, a joint effort of faith, labor, and nonprofits, to make the case for increased revenue that is raised fairly and invested in Minnesota. What can you do to help? Invite us to speak to a group. It’s important for citizens to understand why raising revenue fairly must be part of the solution to the state’s budget deficit. If you belong to a civic group that is seeking speakers, please invite Growth & Justice to talk about Invest for Real Prosperity. To schedule a speaker, contact Communications & Outreach Coordinator Ellen M. Perrault at 651-251-0676 or ellen@growthandjustice.org. Contact your legislators. Now more than ever it’s going to be important for legislators to hear from constituents. We must speak up and tell our leaders that we support increased revenue that is raised fairly and invested in Minnesota. To find out who represents you in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate, click here. Wondering exactly how to make the case in an e-mail or a letter for revenue to be part of the solution to the budget deficit? Visit our website to learn more about Invest for Real Prosperity and ways to frame our message or contact Growth & Justice Communications & Outreach Coordinator Ellen Perrault at ellen@growthandjustice.org, or President Dane Smith at dane@growthandjustice.org. Contribute. A third and very valuable way to help is to contribute to Growth & Justice. (We are a 501c3 nonprofit and your contributions are tax deductible.) We are continuing to raise our profile and build our reach to change the conversation. However, as an organization, we are feeling the economic pinch at the very time our influence is needed most. We rely on the financial support of Minnesotans like you. Every donation helps. Please consider mailing a gift today or click here to donate online. Smart InvestmentsSM in Minnesota's Students shapes education conversation Smart InvestmentsSM in Minnesota's Students, a framework for cost-effective investments to increase post-secondary education attainment in Minnesota, is shaping the conversation at the State Capitol. Lawmakers are considering establishing a State Center for Education Leadership and Research, which would be an independent commission to research state education policy and look for efficient, innovative ways to educate Minnesota students. This reflects Growth & Justice’s approach: looking at what works at what cost and then using this research to invest in education where it can really make a difference. In a Jan. 1 Star Tribune article by Emily Johns,“Too political to think big on education policy?,” Johns states that proponents say there is no organized way for legislators to request research on the newest and best education practices or controversial new ideas that come into the public arena. State Representative Carlos Mariani is quoted as saying, “It [the State Center for Education Leadership and Research] could be free of our own political, partisan goals. Even the best of us are often tempted to play out or political, partisan goals, and are sometimes less guided by what good, sound research tells us." Growth & Justice will track the legislation to establish the State Center for Education Leadership and Research and support efforts to establish a research-based organization to help legislators make spending decisions in tough economic times that will move our state forward and broaden prosperity. Growth & Justice Research & Policy Director Angie Eilers is available to speak about Smart InvestmentsSM in Minnesota’s Students. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact Communication & Outreach Coordinator Ellen M. Perrault at 651-251-0676 or ellen@growthandjustice.org. Growth & Justice to co-host Jan. 28 event honoring John Brandl Brandl was a valued adviser to Growth & Justice. We appreciate the opportunity to honor his memory by joining with other organizations to talk about government's proper role in the currently troubled economy.
Since moving to Minnesota in 1998, Gegax has worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Minneapolis and for CommonBond Communities, the leading provider of affordable housing with services in the Upper Midwest. As Youth Program Manager Gegax coordinated all out-of-school time programs for youth living in CommonBond’s family housing communities, including academic and enrichment opportunities. Currently Gegax works as a consultant to non-profit agencies and school districts, with a strong emphasis on utilizing participatory methods of leadership and evaluation. She assists programs in drafting grants and complying with policies set forth by the funding agency while stressing the need for youth engagement and program quality. Gegax first became interested in the work of Growth & Justice through her father-in-law, Tom Gegax, who served on the Board of Directors. Shortly after, Gegax found herself having breakfast with Growth & Justice Research & Policy Director Angie Eilers to talk about public education and the need for change. Eilers was developing what would become the Smart InvestmentsSM in Minnesota's Students project and what Angie was describing fit with Gegax’s experiences in public education and youth development. Gegax is excited to be a part of an organization working at the policy level for change in Minnesota, not just within education, but on other issues that impact our families. “We all do better when we all do better” is Gegax’s favorite quote. John Stanoch, Dr. Marsha Ann Blumenthal join Growth & Justice Board of Advisers
Prior to joining Qwest, Stanoch served for two years as Minnesota’s chief deputy attorney general and eight years as a Hennepin County District court judge. Stanoch is active in a number of community organizations and activities and serves on the boards of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Business Partnership, Minnesota Orchestral Association, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Currently Stanoch is chair of the Minnesota Business Partnership Education Committee, is co-chair of the Hennepin County’s Accelerating Graduation by Reducing Achievement Disparities (A-GRAD) Advisory Board and is a past chair of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. A long-time professor in the Department of Economics at the University of St. Thomas, Blumenthal’s major fields of interest are public finance – tax compliance and nonprofit organizations, labor markets and human capital, applied econometrics, and health care. In addition to teaching at St. Thomas, Blumenthal has also lectured at the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. Growth & Justice President Dane Smith said he appreciates Stanoch and Blumenthal’s willingness to lend their expertise to the organization. He looks forward to their input as Growth & Justice continues to make the case for raising revenue fairly in order to make smart investments in Minnesota’s people and places to create a shared prosperity. Growth & Justice in the news State budget trends: Unsustainable but not insurmountable, by Charlie Quimby, Politics in Minnesota Morning Report, Jan. 13 Dane Smith memo to Gov. Pawlenty: Many credible economists support tax increases, St. Paul Legal Ledger/Capitol Report, Jan. 12
2009 Minnesota Legislature preview: The big squeeze, by Bill Salisbury, Pioneer Press, Jan. 4
Infrastructure investment could raise its sights, by Charlie Quimby, Politics in Minnesota Morning Report, Jan. 5
New fees in the era of ‘no new taxes,’ a report by Jeff Van Wychen, Minnesota 2020
Inequality crisis bad for all of us – faith in government not gone, yet By Dane Smith, St. Paul Legal Ledger/Capitol Report, Dec. 29 Growth & Justice President Dane Smith was featured in a “Prairie Voices” column entitled “State that works,” by Dorreen Yellow Bird, Grand Forks Herald¸ on Dec. 21.
What would former Republican governors do? by Dane Smith, St. Paul Legal Ledger/Capitol Report, Dec. 15
Real people are behind those budget numbers, by Doug Stone, Star Tribune, Dec. 15
TPT to air documentary highlighting 'Minnesota's progressive GOP tradition,’ by Joe Kimball, MinnPost, Dec. 11
Phil Krinkie: A fundamental fact: High taxes are a burden, Star Tribune, Dec. 10 | |
On Jan. 28 Growth & Justice will join the Minnesota Free Market Institute, Minnesota 2020, the Citizens League, the Center of the American Experiment, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs to host “Celebrating John Brandl & His Uncommon Quest for Common Ground.”
John Stanoch, president of Qwest - Minnesota, and economist Dr. Marsha Ann Blumenthal have joined the Growth & Justice Board of Advisers.