VolumeCENTER 3 FOR A PROSPEROUS,Nov. FAIR 2005 & SUSTAINABLE MINNESOTA ECONOMY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sara Barrow Dan Cramer Ron DeHarpporte Arlen Erdahl David Foster BY JOEL KRAMER Lew Freeman Tom Gegax, Secretary t a series of round- Sylvia Kaplan table discussions Joel Kramer Creatingthis spring, Growth a New Economic Ross Levin & Justice asked David Lillehaug friends and stake- Lee Lynch, Chair Aholders,Agenda “What should we be for Minnesota Chris Mahai working on?” The answer that Tom McBurney popped up most often was “an Larry Meyer Martha Meyers, Treasurer overall strategy for Minnesota’s Michael O’Keefe economic future.” There is a lot Erik Peterson of good work going on in many Mark Ritchie policy arenas, people told us, but Jorge Saavedra what’s missing is a unifying story Tina Smith about our future, based on values Emily Anne Tuttle and principles that are shared by a In a series of roundtable discussions held this spring, Tene Wells substantial majority of Minnesotans. Betsey Whitbeck, Vice Chair more than 60 friends and advisers helped Growth & Justice select two new policy topics to study (see page STAFF That’s why, as we approach our third8 for an details).- policy research, the other on communica- niversary as a Minnesota economic policy tions. (Members of the steering committee EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR think tank, Growth & Justice has embarked and both teams are listed on page 3.) Joel Kramer on our most ambitious effort: Creating a New ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Economic Agenda for Minnesota. • The Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foun- Lori Schaefer dation has pledged $75,000 for the effort, and we have so far raised about an equal RESEARCH & POLICY DIRECTOR We’re off and running. amount from individual donors. Angie Eilers • We’ve assembled a steering committee DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR of a dozen community leaders – busi- Since the steering committee has not yet met, Amy Cram Helwich ness, labor and nonprofit; metro and it’s premature for me to guess precisely where rural; faith-based and secular; ethnically we’re headed. But I would like to tell you ADMIN & PROJECT ASSISTANT diverse. What they all have in common is a why we’re doing this, and how I hope we’ll Emily Saunoi-Sandgren willingness to think strategically about the go about it. role of government in creating a prosper- ous and just future for Minnesota, and a Why this project? willingness to attempt to reach consensus INSIDE on the agenda. In recent years, the political debate in Min- Creating a New Economic...... Agenda nesota has been driven by the assertion that for Minnesota ...... 2 • Many experts have agreed to serve on government growth was out of control, and Thanks you 2005 G&J Donors...... 4 the project’s two advisory teams: one on that smaller government and lower taxes Tax Proposal Gains Traction...... 6 Meet the G&J Team 8

2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org Continued from page 1

are necessary to ensure future economic we know this? Look to the 2004 legisla- tial majority of Minnesotans would eventu- growth in our state. tive elections and the scrambling even by ally embrace it, or some variation of it that Creating a New Economic Agendaanti-tax for politicians Minnesota to find new revenues in builds on the first stage of the effort. However, the assertion that government is 2005, regardless of what they chose to call growing rapidly is simply not true. Dur- those revenues, as evidence. What does the agenda ing the era when government was indeed look like? growing, the business community pushed Why, then, are the anti-tax Minnesota to adopt the Price of Govern- forces so politically potent? The New Economic Agenda will NOT be ment measure, which asks: How much are a 500-page plan resembling a state bud- Minnesotans paying in taxes and fees for There are many reasons, but one is that the get. It also will not be a one-page set of all state and local government services, as a alternative to an anti-tax agenda is not well platitudes that make everyone feel good but percentage of their income? Well, the price formed and well-articulated. This alterna- give no guidance about how to make tough of Minnesota government was more than tive cannot be an agenda focused primarily choices. It will include a values-based vi- 17.5 cents per dollar of people’s earnings on “More Taxes or Bigger Government.” sion, high-level goals for moving toward in the mid-1990s, and now it’s down to It cannot be an agenda of “Restore What’s that vision, and clear principles for how about 16 cents. (One cent difference today Been Cut.” And it cannot just be about to achieve those goals. Surely, the work of is worth almost $2 billion a year.) “Describing the Problems.” our steering committee cannot complete the conversation about how to do that. But if we can start a more strategic conversation, and get people to infuse that conversation into the political and civic process, good things will happen.

Of course, such an ambitious effort in- volves risk. But how can we transform our political culture and build a better future The New Economic Agenda Project will create an if we don’t take risks? Such an ambitious effort also benefits from the involvement And actionablethe assertion that strategy,smaller government based onIt has a to set be a ofpositive shared vision forvalues, Minnesota’s of as many interested people as possible. and lowerfor investingtaxes are the keywisely to economic in Minnesota’s future; one thatfuture. builds on our community’s As part of our work, we will try to better growth is flawed, because it’s only true strengths and aspirations and faces up to our understand the public’s views and concerns if all else is equal. But of course, if you short- and long-term challenges. It has to through polling and focus groups. Plus, we cut government spending, all else is not give people confidence that we know where intend to hold numerous roundtable discus- equal. You are investing less in education, we want to head, we will raise an amount sions around the state – please watch for in roads and transit, in parks and clean air of revenue the public can support, we will schedules on our website and sign up to join and water, and that hurts economic growth raise it fairly, and we’ll invest it wisely and the discussion. You can also contribute your at least as much as lower taxes might help cost-effectively to achieve clear goals on thoughts through forums we’ll offer on our it. In fact, many economists argue that the the path to the future we envision. website. And if you believe in what we’re key to Minnesota’s extraordinary growth doing, your financial support – at any level in per capita income, compared with the If we can lay out that kind of strategic – would be greatly appreciated. nation’s, over the last few decades of the framework, I am confident that a substan- 20th century was directly related to our high investment in education.

Most Minnesotans know this in their gut. During the budget crisis of 2003, most fa- vored higher taxes as part of the solution. Today, most favor additional spending in such areas as education and relieving traf- Goals for the New Economic Agenda Project fic congestion. I’m not saying they want • to return to the 17.9% price of government that we peaked at in the mid-1990s. But Develop a policy agenda for Minnesota based on prosperity, they have clearly belted out the message sustainability, economic justice and fiscal discipline. that they could not tolerate what was hap- pening to our community as we descended • to 15.4% a couple of years ago. How do Articulate and communicate this agenda to help build a broad new majority in our state for progressive economic outcomes.

2 2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org New Economic Agenda Project Participants Marcie Jefferys, Executive Steering Committee Director he Growth & Justice tation of social policy, particularly Center for Advanced Studies Growth & Justice Team Strengthens to Al Gallmon, Pastor team has expanded those policies designed to support on Child Welfare to support the New low-income children and their Fellowship Baptist Church, Brooklyn Park Jay Kiedrowski StaffEconomic New Economic Agenda families. Agenda Most Project , Senior Fellow Humphrey Institute for Public Project. Angela Eilers recently, she Jack Geller, Executive Director Affairs Twas hired to fill the open policy di- was the Director Center for Rural Policy and Development rector position at Growth & Justice. of the Children Dee Long, Tax and Incentives She will head G&J’s research and and Families Program Director, ME3 Vernae Hasbargen, policy efforts and serve as project program at the Legislative Director Nan Madden, Director manager. We have also contracted McKnight Foun- Minnesota Rural Education MN Budget Project part-time with Jodi Sandfort to fa- dation, where Association cilitate our New Economic Agenda she managed a David Morris, Vice President Jim Koppel, Executive Director Project steering committee meetings portfolio of $20 Institute for Local Self-Reliance Minnesota Children’s Defense and process. million in annual Fund Lee Munnich giving. Jodi has lead Jodiorganizational Sandfort , Director, State & Local Policy Program Joel Kramer, Executive Director Meet the newest members development efforts in small and Humphrey Institute for Public Growth & Justice of our staff: large nonprofits, facilitated nu- Affairs merous community meetings, and Gloria Perez-Jordan, Executive Myron Orfield, Executive Angela M. Eilers (Angie) has trained senior executives from pub- Director Director been engaged as an educational re- lic and nonprofit organizations. She The Jeremiah Program Center on Race and Poverty searcher, professor, and/or advocate also is the author of numerous re- Jim Pohlad, Director & Executive of educational policy issues since ports for policymakers and prac- Todd Otis, Executive Director Vice President 1989. Her area of expertise is in titioners on low-income childcare Ready4K Marquette Financial Companies reform, implementation and evalua- and preschool education, welfare Art Rolnick, Director of tion of educational issues especially reform, and policy implementation. Karri Plowman, Research and Public Affairs Executive Director as they intersect with issues of ur- Jodi has a Ph.D. in political science Federal Reserve Bank of MN American Indian Chamber ban and rural and social work and a master’s de- Minneapolis poverty. Many gree in social work from the Univer- of Commerce Tom Stinson, State Economist of Angie’s pub- sity of Michigan, and a bachelor’s Dennis Rysdahl, Co-owner and MN Department of Finance lications address degree from Vassar College. General Manager Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior the social institu- Larry Wicks & Greg McNeilly, tions and poli- Other key project staff: Executive Director /Assistant Jill Stever-Zeitlin, Principal cies designed to Executive Director McKinsey & Company promote educa- Joel Kramer, executive director of Education Minnesota tional advance- Growth & Justice, will oversee the Tene Wells, Executive Director ment for socially effort and serve as a member of the WomenVenture Communications Team disadvantaged steering committee. Lori Schaefer, Jon Youngdahl, Director students.Angela M. In Eilers her most recent work Growth & Justice associate director, Mark Andrew, Senior Vice Minnesota State Council of SEIU with Stanford University, Angie was will oversee outreach and engage- President, Public Affairs part of a multi-institutional team of ment activities, as well as lead a Tunheim Partners researchers studying district-wide communications team to develop Research Advisers Marcia Keller-Avner, Public reform. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. key messages and a communica- Policy Director Paul Anton, Chief Economist from the University of Wisconsin- tions plan. Siri Anderson joined Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Wilder Foundation Madison and a bachelor’s degree G&J this past summer to coordinate Charlie Quimby, Founder and in political science from Lawrence early research on the project. Siri is Wayne Cox, Executive Director former President Minnesota Citizens For Tax Justice University. She is also bilingual in a teacher in the Hopkins School Words at Work Spanish. District and, for the past five years, Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer has served as program director of Chris Mahai, Partner MN Dept. of Administration Jodi Sandfort is an associate Get Connected, a successful digital Aveus professor at the University of Min- divide program that she initiated. Beth Haney, Research Director Lori Schaefer, Associate Children’s Defense Fund nesota Humphrey Institute where She continues to do research for us Director her research, teaching and practice part-time. Maria Hanratty Growth & Justice focuses on improving the implemen- , Associate Professor Tina Smith, VP Marketing & Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs Public Affairs Planned Parenthood

2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org 3 Mark & Gay Herzberg Ginny & Will Craig Coral & John Houle William D’Amour Richard & Eileen Hudelson Richard Danov Julie Ingleman Terry Dosh John & Thelma James Walt Dziedzic Catherine Jordan Anne Farrar Sean Kershaw Bob & Sylvia Fine Peter Lancaster Karen Garvin Eva & Bob Launer Nathan Gilkerson David Lebedoff William Hardesty Growth & Justice would not exist without Bill & Deborah Mague Rodney Hardy theThank support of a long You list of individual and Don & Shirley Maxwell Nevin & Marialice Harwood Bill McCarthy Vernae Hasbargen foundation donors. We are delighted to share Bill & Amy McKinney Elizabeth Hinz that2005 list with you now!Donors THANK YOU for Roger Moe Carol Johnson Pamela Moret Marcus Kessler helping us generate and communicate public Susan & Thomas Moss Sheila Kiscaden William Moyers Barbara Klaas policy that fosters both economic growth Kathleen O’Brien Gary Kubly and justice in Minnesota. Michael & Kathleen O’Keefe Dorothy Leathers Jim Pagliarini Stephanie Malone $5000 and above $500-$999 Erik Peterson Jill Ann Marks Judy Dayton Tom & Marge Barrett Gloria Phillips Joseph Maternowski Ron & Joyce DeHarpporte Jim & Joy Erickson Judy Rein Sylvia McCollor Joel & Laurie Kramer Family David Foster Alex Rothman Bill Moore Foundation Linda Ireland Sandy Rummel William & Chouhei Mullin Lee Lynch & Terry Saario Fund of Jennifer Martin Bob & Sharon Ryan Scott Newstok The Minneapolis Foundation David Steglich David & Miriam Sanders Reverend Michael O’Connell Jennifer Martin of the Martin and Jill & Richard Stever-Zeitlin Barbara & Jonathan Scoll Adam Oliansky Brown Foundation Nancy Speer Edward Oliver $100-$499 John Stanoch Vici Oshiro $1000-$4999 AFSCME Minnesota Council 5 John Sullivan Janet Peterson John & Sage Cowles Tim & Muffi Abrahamson Don & Patricia Sullivan Larry Pogemiller Bruce & Ruth Dayton of the Dave Anderson Tom & Arlene Swain Bruce Pomerantz Wood-Rill Foundation Karen Bachman Bruce & Judith Tennebaum Leo Reding Cy & Paula DeCosse Bill Bowen Marina Vork Katie Rodriguez Gini Dodds Gregory & Leota Brucker Roberta Walburn Dianne & Leighton Siegel Tom Gegax & Mary Wescott Julie Bunn & Marlon Gunderson Carol Walsh Mary Shepard of the Gegax Family Foundation Jerry & Sarah Caruso David & Ruth Waterbury Christina Sheran Samuel & Sylvia Kaplan Fund of Lynn Casey Patricia Welter Harlan & Margaret Smith The Minneapolis Foundation Church of St. Joan of Arc John Wertz Douglas & Mary Smith Ross & Bridget Levin Charitable Gift Joel Conner Bill & Liz Whitbeck Stephanie Stathopoulos Fund of the Fidelity Charitable John & Patricia Corbid Jean Witson Charles & Nellie Stone Gift Fund Jay & Page Cowles Charles & Julie Zelle Marshall Tanick Anthony Lourey & Marlana Richard Cowles Carol Taylor Benzie-Lourey of the Benzie- Russ & Jane Defauw $20-$99 Deborah Thorp Lourey Family Fund at the Schwab Ronald & Carolyn Drude Karen Anderson Carla Throckmorton & Robert Hertz Fund for Charitable Giving Education Minnesota Craig Andresen Albert & Parker Trostel Chris & Dan Mahai Kent Eklund Jay Benanav Helene Turnbull Tom McBurney Arlen Erdahl Fawn Bernhardt Pamela Twiss Dick McFarland of the McFarland Rondi Erickson David Brant Martha Van de Ven Family Fund of The Minneapolis Carole Faricy Jill Breckenridge & John Fenn Patricia Wallner Foundation Tim Flaherty Charlene Brown & Mary Lawson Bonnie Watkins Martha R. Meyers Keith Ford Lou Burdick Gil & Natalie Westreich Dennis Rysdahl Andrea Fox & Steve Jensen Darlene Carroll Jeremy Wieland Win & Maxine Wallin of the Wallin Peter & Scotty Gillette Mary Cavert Foundation Robert Haselow Roger & Margie Cooper Betsey Whitbeck & Jim Nelson Susan Herridge

4 2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org IN THIS SECTION of our newsletter, we’d like to shine the spotlight on some of the many investors in our work. We’d like you to meet Jennifer Martin, a new donor to G&J, and Don Ostrom, a founding donor who has been supporting our work over the past several years.The Growth & Justice

G&J: How did you become interested in Growth & Justice? Chair of the Martin and Brown Family Foundation DonorMartin: I heard about Growth Spotlight & Justice when it first got started a couple of years ago. The Jennifer Martin roundtable and group discussions which bring together people with different backgrounds and experiences to talk about major policy issues really impressed me. I also liked your nonpartisan approach to solving problems.

G&J: Why do you support our work? Martin: I support the mission, goals and program of Growth & Justice because I believe this creative idea-generating organization can make a positive difference for people in this state. I also attended last winter’s fundraiser – the Worst Political Ads Event. An organization that combines a serious speaker [Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor] and humorous examples of political ads got my attention!

G&J: Why do you think others should give to Growth & Justice? Martin: Growth & Justice impacts our community by raising awareness and facilitating thoughtful discourse by suggesting unique, and sometimes untested, solutions to complex problems.

G&J: Why should people support Growth & Justice? Former State Representative, Currently Professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, and a Growth & Justice Adviser Ostrom: The reason people choose to live and work in Minnesota is because of our high-quality Don Ostrom of life. Minnesota has achieved remarkable things – great parks, an outstanding educational system and cultural and entertainment attractions such as the Guthrie and professional sports teams. This is no accident – Minnesotans have made a commitment to this way of life, and Growth & Justice is a catalyst to renew this commitment.

I think that Growth & Justice is an impressive organization. It is very adept at bringing together disparate groups of people and getting them talking – to come to a solution that would not have otherwise happened.

G&J: What would you like to see Growth & Justice accomplish in the future? Ostrom: As Growth & Justice grows, it will be exciting to see your ideas and philosophy be adopted by public officials and other policymakers. Growth & Justice has the unique ability to put together diverse coalitions of people who are interested in both enlarging the public pie, as well as ensuring that it (growth) is sustainable and just. This is important now – and will be important 20 years from now – Growth & Justice is well-suited to accomplish these goals.

2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org 5 Growth & Justice Tax Proposal Growth & Justice would like to fter a year of research Senator Hottinger’s bill would have thankG&J the followingAdvisers advisers, and roundtable discus- raised the income tax on most Minne- for their expertise, advice, sions, Growth & Justice sota households. Using the Minnesota produced a strategic Revenue Department’s tax incidence and counsel. These leaders in proposalin Publicin February data,Debate Growth & Justice showed that their fields have helped shape Acalled “Rethinking Minnesota Tax- it is only the top 5% or so that are our organization and our es: FairerGains for families and better forTraction paying significantly less than their & business growth.” The tax proposal proportional share of state/local taxes. policy work. received coverage in both metro and So we recommended a new tax bracket, greater Minnesota newspapers, and in which would raise taxes on less than other publications David Andreas Bill McKinney such as the Min- Paul Anton Pam Neary nesota Journal. Marcia Avner John Nelson Executive director Tom Barrett Robert Olson Joel Kramer has Peter Bell Don Ostrom made many pre- Jim Bernstein Todd Otis sentations around Growth & Justice showed that it is only Jeff Blodgett Frank Parisi the state on the pro- Bruce Bomier Larry Perlman posal, and appeared the top 5% or so that are paying signifi- Steven Bosacker Mark Peterson before both the House andcantly Senate less Tax than 5% oftheir households proportional (those earning share more Julie Bunn Akshay Rao Committees to discuss tax reform. than $250,000). The senate ended up Arne Carlson Art Rolnick of state/local adoptingtaxes. and passing the Growth & Phil Carruthers Tom Rosen There are three main components to the Justice approach. Lynn Casey Alex Rothman tax strategy: Raise individual income Bert Colianni Steve Rothschild taxes on the highest earners, reduce Given the revenue situation this year, John DeSantis Nina Rothschild Utne taxes on business, and broaden the there was no chance that our recom- Bill Drake Dennis Rysdahl base of the sales tax. The first of these mendation to cut business taxes would Anita Duckor Terry Saario components – raising the individual be acted upon, but it created substantial Judi Dutcher Kris Sanda income tax on high earners – had a discussion and some support – on both Arvonne Fraser Sharon Sayles-Belton substantial impact on what emerged sides of the aisle – and we hope it will Don Fraser David Schultz from the state senate (although it was influence future action. The sales tax not enacted into law because of fierce portion of the strategy generated less Peter Gillette Jon Scoll opposition from the governor). interest, but remains sound policy for Terry Gips Joe Selvaggio future consideration. Peter Heegaard Catherine Shreves At the beginning of the 2005 legisla- Jean Holloway Al Silver tive session, before Growth & Justice Tom Horner Jeff Smedsrud released its proposal, there were Linda Ireland Wy Spano published reports that there was no John James Tom Streitz enthusiasm, even in the Senate DFL Marcie Jefferys Jacob Sullivan caucus, for proposing higher individual David Jennings John Sullivan income taxes because such an increase to speak regularly to Matt Kane Al Tims was perceived as politically risky and Wegroups continue about our tax strategy. If you Jim Koppel John Ullmann not achievable. However, after Sena- are interested in hosting a discussion Ron Kroese Craig Waldron tor Hottinger got a group of religious George Latimer Danie Watson leaders to support his bill and Growth in your area on the Growth & Justice Jim Lenfestey John Wells & Justice began explaining its strategy tax strategy, please contact us at proposal, the tide turned. Connie Lewis Anne Weyandt [email protected] or call Becky Lourey Ryan Winkler 651-917-6037. Monica Manning Medora Woods Ann Markusen Rebecca Yanisch Jim McCorkell

6 2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org rowth & Justice was fortu- Dan Cramer, committee chair; Joel Kramer, stake in the ground for public policy that nate to be able to start up founder and executive director; Lee Lynch, fosters both economic growth and economic and grow at a time when the board chair; Chris Mahai; Erik Peterson; justice; engaged more than 450 citizens in state’s economy was slug- Mark Ritchie; and Tene Wells are the board meaningful dialogue on critical pocketbook gishA andStrategic many nonprofits membersPath on theto committee. Successful Lori Schaefer, issues; Growth built a base of support that includes Gwere downsizing or going out of business. associate director, is the staff. The commit- more than 750 individual contributors and We believe this speaks both to the strength tee expects to report back to the full board many esteemed foundations; tackled two of the idea of Growth & Justice and the way with a strategic blueprint for discussion this major policy topics – wages and taxes; that we have successfully implemented the December at Growth & Justice’s annual and, published two strategic policy reports, vision in the start-up phase. meeting. And, we’ll share highlights with including one on Rethinking Minne- you in our next newsletter. In the meantime, sota Taxes that has helped shape the tax Now that we have become a small, viable if you’d like to invest in Growth & Justice’s debate. organization and there is a demand for our continued growth, we welcome your contri- work, the Growth & Justice board has formed bution at www.growthandjustice.org. Growth & Justice is governed by a 24 person a strategy committee to develop a strategic distinguished board of directors and is coun- blueprint to keep us that way – strong and Growth & Justice seled by a group of more than 75 advisers growing! The strategic plan will provide a accomplishments to date who provide expertise on both policy and road map for how Growth & Justice plans organizational issues. Growth & Justice now to grow in the next one to five years to have In its first two and a half years, support and consists of five employees and its offices are even greater impact on the public debate and enthusiasm for Growth & Justice’s work has located in St. Paul, MN. policy outcomes in our state. grown rapidly. We have successfully put a

The following esteemed foundations have generously supported Growth & Justice’s work to date:

2005The Elmer G&J & Eleanor Foundation Andersen Foundation, Support $1,000 Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP Foundation, The Otto Bremer Foundation, $25,000 a supporting organization of The Minneapolis Foundation, Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, $75,000 $75,000

YES!Name: ______I support Growth & Justice! Address: ______Home Phone: ______Work Phone: ______$1,000 E-Mail: ______Fax: ______$500 __Check __Visa __Master Card __ $250 Card Number: ______Expiration Date: ______$100 Signature: ______Amount: ______$50 Please make check payable to “Growth & Justice.” Contributions are tax deductible. Questions? Please call: 651-917-6037 Other ______Mail to Growth & Justice, 2324 University Ave. West, St. Paul, MN 55114 You can learn more about Growth & Justice or contribute online at www.growthandjustice.org

2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org 7 t a series of roundtable sive-minded leaders across sectors for an discussions this spring, integrated, progressive and fiscally sound is a GROWTHthink tank for Minnesota & JUSTICE economic policy focused on achieving economic FriendsGrowth of Growth& Justice asked & economicJustice agenda. help select growth, economic justice, and environ- more than 60 friends and mental sustainability simultaneously. two excitingstakeholders their policy advice The topics second project for on studypublic education Aon what policy topic to tackle next. is designed to develop a strategic plan GROWTH & JUSTICE believes that Roundtable participants were presented for improving education outcomes, from at a time of deep partisan division, with six choices ranging from single early childhood through post-secondary Minnesotans can unite around one goal: subjects, such as health care and educa- attainment (E-16). Our goal for the Re- a state economy that is strong and tion, to more integrative subjects such as thinking Public Education project is growing, while providing a decent strengthening the middle class or creating to achieve a broad consensus on what standard of living for all. an economic agenda for the state. Par- constitutes success and on the most effec- ticipants were also encouraged to offer tive routes to achieving that success. The their own ideas. The discussions were outcome of the project will be a policy lively and provocative and, in the end, agenda that defines successful education THANKS to our dedicated individual and two clear favorites emerged: 1) Creating outcomes, identifies who should be ac- foundation donors, Growth & Justice has a New Economic Agenda for the state countable for those outcomes, and shows grown from a two person shop to a team of and 2) Rethinking Public Education. how to improve educational results. five focused on developing and communicat- Meet the G&J Team ing strategic public policy proposals that foster The New Economic Agenda project We began work on both projects this both economic growth and economic justice. aims to create a principled and inte- summer, focusing first on the New Eco- grated strategy for how the state can nomic Agenda project. The Rethinking foster economic growth, sustainability, Public Education project is in an early and economic justice simultaneously. research phase and we hope to begin Our state and our economy are chang- public meetings next year. ing and Minnesotans are having a hard time coming together to address our most Thanks to those who helped select these serious policy issues and economic de- topics of study. We believe both projects cisions. Polarization of our politics has can have a major impact on defining a been accompanied by civic polarization. path to success for Minnesota and its The New Economic Agenda project aims people in a way that fosters both eco- to repair the situation by building a con- nomic growth and justice. We hope you’ll We’re proud to introduce you to the Growth sensus among a broad range of progres- get involved. & Justice team, pictured from left to right: (standing) Joel Kramer, executive director;

Lori Schaefer, associate director; (seated) NON-PROFIT ORG Amy Cram Helwich, development director; US POSTAGE Angie Eilers, research & policy director; and PAID Emily Saunoi-Sandgren, administrative & Mpls., MN Permit #28507 project assistant. 2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 As a team, we’re continuing our communica- St. Paul, MN 55114 tions and outreach work on Workforce First and Rethinking Minnesota Taxes, and mov- ing full speed ahead on our New Economic Agenda project.

We hope you’ll get involved by participating in a roundtable, volunteering your time to help with a project, or supporting our work through a financial contribution. Check us out on the web at www.growthandjustice.org or call us at 651-917-6037.

8 2324 University Ave. West, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55114 phone 651-917-6037 fax 651-641-7223 www.growthandjustice.org