Making sense of congressional redistricting Sixteen-term U.S. Congressman Barney Frank just announced he is not running for reelection in Massachusetts. He says the new lines of his district played a big role in his decision not to run. His statement got us wondering how new maps across the country are affecting the 2012 election.Midmorning, December 2, 2011
State leaders temper surprising economic forecast with skepticism Many state leaders are reluctant to celebrate today's surprising economic forecast projecting of an $876 million budget surplus, — possibly because the forecast also shows a likely return to red ink in the following cycle.December 1, 2011
Hennepin County taxpapers question falling home values, rising taxes Rather than directly reducing their property tax bills like it used to, next year the state will reduce the taxable value of some homes. That tends to shift taxes onto other types of property.November 30, 2011
Ramsey County hearing spotlights taxes vs. services dilemma About 250 taxpayers turned out last night in Ramsey County to ask the county board to protect public services, plea for lower taxes and largely criticize a proposal to build a new Minnesota Vikings football stadium in the county.November 29, 2011
Minn. to get federal health care funds after all More than $6 million in federal health care funds will come to Minnesota after all. The money was at the heart of a political skirmish between Gov. Mark Dayton and State Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie.November 28, 2011
Support grows for abolishing property tax in ND Many Minnesota residents expect a bigger bill when their property tax statements arrive this month. But across the border, North Dakota residents are considering a proposal to make the state the first in the nation to abolish property taxes.November 25, 2011
Tax notices generate relief, anger In Minnesota, every year there are lots of reasons property taxes can go up or down. This year there are even more, as homeowners and business people are learning when they open their proposed property tax statements.November 25, 2011
In Brooklyn Park, tight budget spurs unionization effort The number of city employees trying to unionize in Minnesota has been rising in the past few years. In the latest report from our Forced To Choose series, we look at cash-strapped Brooklyn Park, which could become the first city in Minnesota with a union representing its part-time firefighters.November 23, 2011
Shocked by your tax notice? Look again If you just opened your truth-in-taxation notice and are stunned to see how little your house is apparently worth, take a deep breath. What may have plunged is your "taxable market value," which is not the same as what your house might fetch on the market.November 22, 2011
Paying for past choices: Cities struggle with infrastructure Many Minnesota cities are stuck with unfinished housing projects and empty industrial parks and infrastructure expansions that once looked promising but now feel burdensome.November 17, 2011
Small towns 'just one disaster away' Tough economic times are forcing cities of all stripes to re-examine how they spend tax dollars. But in small towns like Floodwood, many worry their actual existence is endangered.November 16, 2011