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| May 8, 2009 Support common sense on budget crisis? Make your voice heard at the State Capitol on Monday, May 11 Polls show that a majority of Minnesotans support reasonable revenue increases, including modestly higher rates on those with the highest incomes, to address the state’s historic budget crisis. It’s now time for this majority to make its voice heard. We are at a critical point in the legislative session and as a founding member of the Invest in Minnesota Campaign, Growth & Justice is asking you to get involved. If legislators don’t hear from constituents supporting reasonable increases in revenues to maintain our public investments, we cannot count on a balanced solution for the budget deficit. Join the Invest in Minnesota Campaign at a rally in the State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, May 11 from noon to 1 p.m. As Growth & Justice President “Thankfully, polls consistently show that most Minnesotans have a reasonable understanding and acceptance of government taxing and spending,” Smith said. “Despite years of anti-government propaganda from well-funded conservative think tanks, most citizens, at least on reflection, realize the verity of Oliver Wendell Holmes’s famous observation that taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” For more information about the Invest in Minnesota Campaign, and to see a series of videos that includes testimonials from Minnesotans about why revenues must be raised to fund important services, go to www.investinmn.org Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Alice Seagren praises Growth & Justice work  Education Commissioner Alice Seagren praised the work of Growth & Justice and its Smart InvestmentsSM in Minnesota’s Students research, in comments on Minnesota Public Radio’s Midday with Gary Eichten.When asked about ways to determine cost-effectiveness, other than test scores, in education spending, Commissioner Seagren said: “I think there has also been some very good work done. One organization that has done a lot of cost-benefit analysis has been the Growth & Justice organization. They have looked at particular strategies—from class size reduction, to instructional strategies, to after school programs—and they have actually brought in experts and said that some are not as cost-benefit rich as others, and they've asked those tough questions.” The Commissioner went on to say “…we can learn from that, and learn from our mistakes and learn from our successes and advance those things that, from a cost-benefit standpoint, are more successful.” The Smart InvestmentsSM in Growth & Justice loses valued board member  Growth & Justice Board Member Tom McBurney passed away on March 31. A resident of Born June 16, 1938 in A passionate believer in service, community transformation and the arts, McBurney brought wise leadership, strategic vision and eminent good sense to volunteer boards including The Minnesota Opera, Freedom from Hunger Foundation, Minnesota Public Radio, Winter intern: Kevin McNellis  Growth & Justice would like to thank our winter intern, Kevin McNellis, for all of his hard work these past four months.
A native of Mahtomedi, McNellis graduated from During his time at Growth & Justice, McNellis primarily researched emerging trends in education policy like value-added analysis, teacher quality, and new forms of student assessment. McNellis also worked on donor research, attended legislative hearings, and provided other research assistance, and said he “was allowed, graciously, to irregularly broadcast my opinions on the Growth and Justice blog.” “Working here was educational in the true Socratic sense of the word--the more I learned, the more I realized how little I actually know,” McNellis said. This summer, McNellis will be guiding a canoe trip down the Growth & Justice in the news May Tax protesters decry proposed legislative spending during rally at Minnesota Capitol, by Brady Gervais, Pioneer Pres, May 3 April Pawlenty approval rating hits new low as tax policies rejected, by David Brauer, MinnPost, April 30 Smith: Note to silent majority on taxes: You have a chance to weigh in now and on May 11, by Growth & Justice President Dane Smith, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report, April 30 Opinions vary; facts never do, by Patrick Henry (member, Growth & Justice Board of Advisers), St. Cloud Times, April 28 Growth & Justice President Dane Smith appears on the April 24 edition of “Almanac” to talk about tax issues. Commentary: A statement about the Senate and House tax bills, by Growth & Justice President Dane Smith, Workday Minnesota, April 22. Education Commissioner Alice Seagren praises Growth & Justice work, Minnesota Public Radio’s Midday, April 22. Smith: Straight from the Swede’s mouth..., By Growth & Justice President Dane Smith, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report, April 16 Reform must include clear goals, measurements, by Growth & Justice President Dane Smith, St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 16 Minnesota, Colorado share budget tactics, including trying to raise revenue without appearing to raise taxes, by Put federal stimulus dollars to work for Minnesota students, by Growth & Justice Research & Policy Director Angie Eilers, MinnPost, April 10 Proposal emphasizes role of education as investment in future, by Jennifer Stockinger, Brainerd Dispatch, April 9 Getting through tough economic times, by | |