http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/?refid=0 Copyright 2012, Minnesota Public Radio Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:45:09 -0600 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.21-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Minnesota's construction industry gained 200 jobs during 2011, today's latest Minnesota employment data show. That's hopeful news for a sector that's been brutalized the past five years with the collapse in home values, the credit crunch and the Great Recession.... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/after-five-brutal-years-bright-spots-in-construction.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/after-five-brutal-years-bright-spots-in-construction.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:45:09 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Here's the latest look at today's Minnesota jobs and employment data from MPR News reporter Brandt Williams:Minnesota employers added a net total of nearly 8,000 jobs in December and the state's jobless rate fell to five-point-seven percent. However, state labor... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/state-added-high-skill-jobs-in-december.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/state-added-high-skill-jobs-in-december.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:13:51 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) The number of people working for all levels of civilian government in Minnesota is down to levels not seen in more than a decade. We can say that now given the data released today showing Minnesota lost an estimated 6,100... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/govt-employment-in-minnesota-lowest-in-a-decade.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/govt-employment-in-minnesota-lowest-in-a-decade.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:45:15 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Minnesota's improved unemployment rate is good news. But the pace of job creation during 2011 reinforces the view of local economists that it will take the state another two years to gain back all the jobs it lost during the... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/still-2014-before-state-regains-pre-recession-jobs.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/still-2014-before-state-regains-pre-recession-jobs.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:33:02 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) The Mankato area showed the strongest 2011 job growth among the five major metropolitan areas in Minnesota while Duluth and St. Cloud struggled. Mankato added 1,200 jobs during the year, up 2.3 between December 2010 and December 2011, data released... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/2011-job-growth-strong-in-mankato-elusive-in-duluth.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/2011-job-growth-strong-in-mankato-elusive-in-duluth.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:56:50 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Minnesota's unemployment rate slipped to 5.7 percent in December, down from 5.9 percent in November, as state employers added 7,900 jobs, officials said this morning. "The Minnesota unemployment rate continues to move in the right direction, reaching its lowest level... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/mn-jobless-rate-slips-to-57-in-december.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2012/01/mn-jobless-rate-slips-to-57-in-december.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:08:12 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) After taxes and government regulation, the biggest business complaint typically involves the courts. The conventional wisdom holds that liberal judges and well-heeled trial attorneys are sucking business dry with frivolous lawsuits, killing innovation and job creation. Turns out that's largely... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/minnesota-legal-system-looks-good-for-business.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/minnesota-legal-system-looks-good-for-business.shtml Economy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:49:25 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) When some business people and lawmakers talk about Minnesota's business climate, the refrain is often: too many taxes, too much regulation and other states are eating our lunch. Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem, Minnesota's new Senate Republican leader, made similar points... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/is-minnesotas-business-climate-really-that-bad.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/is-minnesotas-business-climate-really-that-bad.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:20:26 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) From MarketWatch:U.S. stocks on Friday rose toward their third weekly gain in four after Congress approved a tax-cut extension and orders for durable goods in November climbed the most in four months.... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-cut-extension-helps-buoy-markets.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-cut-extension-helps-buoy-markets.shtml Economy Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:08:33 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) From CNN:President Barack Obama signed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut Friday, ending what had been a heated political stalemate and sealing a hard-fought win for Democrats on an issue -- taxes -- that has historically favored... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/obama-signs-payroll-tax-cut-extension.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/obama-signs-payroll-tax-cut-extension.shtml Economy Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:16:43 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Leave it to the Brits to help easily explain U.S. politics and policy on the payroll tax cut extension approved today. The Guardian newspaper put together a nice set of answers to frequently asked questions after House Republicans Thursday agreed... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-questions-answered.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-questions-answered.shtml Economy Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:39:20 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) The 2011 two percent payroll tax cut, extended today for another two months, has meant some 3.1 million Minnesotans have kept $2.2 billion more of their money this year, according to a U.S. Treasury analysis. That works out to just... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/what-the-payroll-tax-cut-extension-means-for-minnesota.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/what-the-payroll-tax-cut-extension-means-for-minnesota.shtml Economy Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:28:38 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) After weeks of wrangling, House leaders have agreed to extend a federal payroll tax cut that was due to expire at the end of the year. The deal will be approved formally today. While that's solved the short term problem,... http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-cut-drama-postponed-but-not-over.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/payroll-tax-cut-drama-postponed-but-not-over.shtml Economy Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:31:46 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Stories of Minnesotans navigating through the worst job conditions in decades. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/job-searching-minnesotans-struggle-succeed-in-tough-market.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/job-searching-minnesotans-struggle-succeed-in-tough-market.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:47:19 CST mail@mpr.org (Paul Tosto) Can we trust the monthly jobs and unemployment data? http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/officials-losing-trust-in-monthly-employment-data.shtml?refid=0 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/bigstory/archive/2011/12/officials-losing-trust-in-monthly-employment-data.shtml Jobs and unemployment Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:55:48 CST