Fall 2012 Newsletter
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CENTER FOR A PROSPEROUS, FAIR, AND SUSTAINABLE MINNESOTA ECONOMY Volume 17 Fall 2012 Vote NO twice on November 6 ust days from now, Minnesotans working people and the disadvan- few states that never outlawed inter- J will go to the polls and find con- taged, and expanding civil rights and racial marriage, even in the 19th tests for their State Senator and Rep- voter participation. century. And in the early 1970s, we resentative, a U.S. Senator and the were one of the first states to allow President on the ballot. And they will election-day registration and a simple also find two incredibly important process of oath-by-signature to questions on the back of their ballot: exercise the most fundamental right proposed constitutional amendments of democracy. This, along with other that have the potential to cause harm policies enacted to remove barriers, to Minnesota’s reputation as both led to our perennial status as one of a welcoming place and a state that the top states in the nation in voter consistently sets the national standard turnout and election integrity. for voter participation. So understand this, once and for all: Most Minnesotans are justifiably We will do great damage to our brand proud to live in a tolerant, educated and our reputation if we approve and prosperous state that is accus- either one of these constitutional tomed to leading the way in business amendments on the ballot. and technological innovation, vibrant The “Voter ID” amendment (more arts and cultural opportunities, and Graphic courtesy of facebook.com/VoteNoTwice strong civic health. Minnesota has accurately referred to by its opposi- been at the forefront over the last The “all in this together” mindset tion as “Voter Restriction”) imposes century in winning rights for women, runs deep. Minnesota is one of the continued on page 3 New project on workforce development The future of education in Minnesota esponding to evidence of a mismatch between R employer demand and the supply of more highly all brings cooler weather, football season, and educated workers, as well as persistent disparities in edu- F once again, students heading back to school. But cation outcomes and in the workforce, Growth & Justice in many communities across Minnesota, something recently launched a new project focused on equity and new is happening this year. It’s a fresh effort that’s workforce development. With funding from the Bremer been proven to raise high school graduation rates and Foundation, the McKnight Foundation and the Jay & reduce racial disparities in achievement. Rose Phillips Family Foundation, Growth & Justice will The new school year in the St. Cloud area and in produce a series of policy briefs on proven and promising Itasca County is taking shape like never before. models for sector-specific workforce development efforts Commonly referred to as the Strive model, the new aimed at low-income workers and tied to good, long-term approach to education brings together the whole com- jobs that offer good incomes and career ladders for contin- munity in a commitment to helping all children suc- ued advancement. Equity will be a major consideration of ceed, all the way through the education pipeline, from the case studies. before birth to career launch. Workforce readiness has been a top concern for Growth A new emphasis on coordinated efforts and individual & Justice since its founding a decade ago. An early policy attention, using data and evidence-tested methods, is report, Workforce First, outlined principles for improv- meant to seal the leaks in that pipeline and keep kids ing results and built a case for education and skills as the on track toward postsecondary completion. primary driver of economic growth in Minnesota. continued on page 6 continued on page 5 From the President By Dane Smith CONTENTS orgive me for tooting our own tional Coalition for Evidence-Based F horn a bit, but I like to take the Policy and some of the programs and Vote NO twice on November 6 . 1 opportunity of this column twice a interventions that his group has rated New project on workforce year to remind our supporters of how “top-tier” have also been advanced development . 1 connected we are to policy-thinkers by Growth & Justice. and policy-makers in this state. The future of education in I pointed that fact out in the panel Minnesota . .1 Exhibit A for this case is our strong discussion and made the case that From the President . 2 presence at the 28th Annual Confer- although political leaders often resist ence on Policy Analysis, held Oc- evidence that contravenes rigid A dark theater. A hushed crowd. A spotlight. A song. A policy tober 10 at the University of Min- ideologies, aggressive advocacy of conversation . 4 nesota’s Continuing Education and facts and a study of actual outcomes Conference Center. This event is remains an effective way to change Meet the newest G&J Board members . 5 what I like to call the state’s premier minds and hearts about policies. I “wonk-fest,” a full day of presenta- noted how two decades of science and Double your impact with Give to the Max. 6 tions, workshops and discussion hard data on the effectiveness of early panels drawing several hundred re- childhood education was finally hav- Blog: Author of “So Rich, So Poor’’ searchers, data-crunchers and policy ing an effect on policy in Minnesota. brings truths about poverty to experts from business, academia, Minnesota . 7 Our other major role was in an after- government and the nonprofit sector. noon session, “Gap Closing Outside Watch for new report on economic inequality . 7 We’ve been involved with this con- the Metro: Educational Equity and ference before, appearing on panels Attainment for Greater Minne- Nov. 13 event to outline new directions on tax redesign and or par- sota Students,” budgeting for outcomes . 8 ticipating which was in other inspired by a ways. In report we is- 2011, for sued earlier this GROWTH & JUSTICE instance, I year, “Whole was part of Towns Coming Our mission is to make Minnesota’s a keynote Together for economy simultaneously more panel that All Students.” prosperous and fair. We are a non- addressed I moderated a partisan advocate for fair taxation the central discussion with and “smart” public investment — theme of panelists from the role of Itasca County fiscally responsible, accountable govern- and Grand Rap- investment that advances prosperity ment in ids (Invest Early for all Minnesotans. We believe a Minnesota. I presented alongside director Jan Reindl and Deer River sustainable economy provides the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Public Schools Superintendent Matt foundation for a just society. policy director Bill Blazar, and Grose), St. Cloud (Superintendent former gubernatorial candidate and Bruce Watkins), and the executive di- then-president of the Bush Founda- rector of the Minnesota Rural Educa- tion, Peter Hutchinson. tion Association (Fred Nolan). GROWTH & JUSTICE This year’s main topic was a particu- Our high profile at the conference is 2324 University Ave. W. larly good fit for Growth & Jus- just one example of our activity on Suite 120A tice: “From Anecdote to Evidence: many key policy fronts these days. Saint Paul, MN 55114 Advancing the Role of Analysis in Policy and research director Maureen phone: 651-917-6037 Policy Making.” I was one of three Ramirez and I, as well as some of our fax: 651-641-7223 Minnesota policy leaders invited to a nine policy fellows, serve on numer- email: [email protected] serve on the panel for a discussion of ous boards, committees, or coalition www.growthandjustice.org keynote speaker Jon Baron’s pre- steering teams, to inform and ad- sentation, “Increasing Government vance our work aimed at improving www.mnunited.org Newsletter layout: Mark Tundel Effectiveness Through Rigorous Evi- both economic growth and economic dence About ‘What Works.’” Baron justice, and highlighting the insepara- is the executive director of the na- bility of those goals. 2 •FALL 2012 Volume 17 Vote NO Twice on November 6 continued from page 1 a completely unnecessary barrier to Mills, Thomson Reuters, Capella of complexity and uncertainty likely voting that likely will disenfranchise University and St. Jude Medical, and to require further legislative debate tens of thousands of eligible voters the list continues to grow. and extended legal challenges if the in order to root out a tiny percentage amendment passes. of ineligible persons who vote – States and regions perceived as anti- never mind that there is absolutely no gay tend not to be economic super- Swearing under threat of felony evidence of an actual voter imperson- achievers. The states and metropoli- prosecution that you are legally eli- ation problem in our elections. tan regions that compete with us for gible to vote and live in the precinct that status already are moving ahead in which you are voting has worked The other amendment would cast in in recognizing and welcoming same- remarkably well for Minnesota. It’s constitutional stone a second-class sex couples and families. an honor system, but one in which status for many of our friends and plenty of legal checks and balances loved ones. It dictates that they will The Voter Restriction amendment exist, and allegations of fraud can be indefinitely be banned in Minnesota sends a terrible message to a broad quickly investigated. from enjoying the benefits of mar- spectrum of voters – the oldest, the riage – a civil right if there ever was youngest, the poorest, the newest, Fact: There is no systematic fraud or one – if they happen to be of the and to the homeless – many of whom abuse. Fact: There is no significant same gender.