CENTER FOR A PROSPEROUS, FAIR, AND SUSTAINABLE 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 Minnesota ...... 7 experts from business, academia, government and the nonprofit sector. Our other major role was in an after-

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. are veterans. State analysts have esti- problem with our election system. mated that 144,000 Minnesotans who Fact: We will deny or discourage vot- From a job-creating, economic are eligible to vote do not currently ing by tens of thousands of voters in growth standpoint, there would be no have a valid photo ID as required order to catch a handful of scofflaws benefit and indeed, likely some harm by the amendment, and those voters and ineligible voters every year. should the marriage-limiting amend- listed above would be disproportion- ment pass. It has generated a tsunami ately affected. Both the marriage and voter restric- of opposition from business lead- tion amendments are cleverly worded ers like former Medtronic CEO Bill The amendment would create a brand and marketed to appear to be protect- George, Carlson Companies leader new (and still undefined) system of ing us from something, pandering to Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and RBC “provisional ballots” for those who popular and unfounded fears of those Wealth Management CEO John Taft. lack the required ID, putting the onus who are not quite like the “rest of Locally-based corporations oppos- on the voter to prove their eligibility. us.” We can all do better than that. th ing the amendment include General And that creates a whole new realm On November 6 , vote NO, twice. Learn more about how you can help defeat these amendments and sign up to volunteer at

www.mnunited.org www.ourvoteourfuture.org

www.growthandjustice.orG Fall 2012 • 3 A dark theater. A hushed crowd. A spotlight. A song. A policy conversation.

hat was the scene at Songs & song selections drove T Substance: A Public Policy and the show, with Tane Political Philosophy Musical and offering insights and Lyrical Revue at HUGE Theater on asking questions about September 27. Growth & Justice pres- the role of music and ident, Dane Smith, together with Tane musicians in political Danger, co-founder of The Theater of discourse. Public Policy, entertained the audience with live music, thoughtful policy During the night many analysis and improvisational comedy. friends of Growth & Music fans and Growth & Justice sup- Justice shared their porters young and old joined together talents on the stage. in song throughout the evening. Peggy Flanagan, Jim Harkness, Atom Rob- The inspiration for the new event inson and Dave Olson came directly from Dane Smith: “I’ve performed songs from always been inspired by music, by the Joni Mitchell, Johnny Atom Robinson & Dave Olson hundreds and thousands of songs and Cash, Woody Guthrie, lyrics in the last century and before, Billy Bragg and Wilco. that speak to the great political strug- smart policies for public investment gles of our time.” He was determined During the second half of the show in Minnesota. While music certainly to offer an evening of nonpartisan fun brave audience members sang kara- plays a role in shaping public opinion and music in the midst of a grueling oke to some of their favorite songs. and in delivering a winning mes- election season. Dane led the audi- Claudia Kaul won the first ever sage, Growth & Justice will rely on ence through lyrical and policy analy- Karaoke Champion award for her its tried-and-true methods of policy sis of a few of his favorite songs. It version of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In reports, briefs and case studies and wasn’t a night for a lecture; it was a the Wind.” Other participants in the leave the music up to the musicians. night for a conversation. karaoke contest included Jay Cog- gins, Chuck Laszewski, Jason Little, Tane Danger and the rest of T2P2 In a show that spanned generations Rick Shefchik, and Lee Lynch. continue their second season at the and genres, Dane Smith and Tane HUGE Theater, on Thursday nights Danger reviewed songs and song The audience was eager to sing through November. lyrics of a political nature. Songs along, and the night ended with a & Substance was a collaboration favorite by Pete Seeger, “If I Had a with The Theater of Public Policy Hammer.” (T2P2), an improv and acting troupe “It was fun to sing together, to laugh that tackles policy issues through and to approach policy conversations improvisational theater. Dane’s in a lighthearted way,” said attendee Matt Musel. “This makes me more in- terested in Growth & Justice.” Growth & Justice has no immediate plans to form a garage band or to write songs any- time soon. Instead, the money raised from the event will be used to Claudia Kaul support research, communications and advocacy for

Dane Smith & Tane Danger

4 •FALL 2012 Volume 17 The future of education in Minnesota continued from page 1

A key message in both the St. Cloud the importance of education, the positive step in the right direction. and Itasca efforts is the obvious truth strengths of the community and the When whole communities commit that when all students live up to their potential of its students. to the success of all their students, full potential, the local economy and and agree on guiding principles and local community benefit. Our public Bringing together nonprofits, busi- metrics for tracking success, these education system is our investment in nesses and philanthropy, and en- partnerships have a huge payoff our future workforce and future com- gaging families, teachers and other potential: maximizing the number munity leaders. education leaders to work as a team of Minnesota students who finish is the right framework for the future high school ready for postsecondary Growth & Justice has long champi- of education in Minnesota. The ef- education and workforce training, oned this vision of bringing together forts underway in St. Cloud, Itasca and ready for the jobs of the new the business and philanthropy com- County, and the Twin Cities are a economy. munities with educators, students and families to invest in Minnesota stu- dents. Our 2008 Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students report foreshad- owed the policy vision in place in the new St. Cloud and Itasca initiatives. Meet the newest members of the G&J Board of Directors Growth & Justice highlighted key strategies all along the pipeline to David Fisher improve student achievement, reduce David was commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration racial disparities and ensure that under Gov. , and currently serves as executive director of the Minnesota students are on track for Corporate Institute at the Law School. He has a postsecondary completion. Setting distinguished career in law and corporate and nonprofit leadership, with a statewide goal for postsecondary broad knowledge and experience in government, business and technol- completion was a hallmark of the ogy. His long history of community service includes serving as member original SIMS report, and Growth and vice chair of the Metropolitan Council, as an appointed member of the & Justice continues to push for this University of Minnesota Board of Regents Candidate Advisory Council, important high-level benchmark. and as chairman, treasurer and board member of the ClearWay Minnesota board of directors. Our research-based, cost-effective strategies for improving education H.B. “Bud” Hayden Jr. from early childhood through post- Bud and his wife Carol are well-known in the Twin Cities for their philan- secondary study align perfectly with thropy and public affairs leadership. Bud had a long and successful career the Strive-like blueprints in St. Cloud as a distributor of construction equipment for Hayden-Murphy Equipment and Itasca county. Company and Metroquip Inc. He is the founder and current president of Hayden Enterprises. He’s a long-time member and former president of In fact, Growth & Justice is on the the Downtown Kiwanis, and a board member and officer for “Core Team” working to implement the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. He has also served on the the Itasca vision, “Pathways to Student boards of directors of the Minneapolis Builders Exchange and the Minne- Success,” and as part of this group, sota Transportation Alliance. G&J president Dane Smith traveled to Cincinnati, where Strive began, to learn firsthand about their accomplish- Hubert H. “Buck” Humphrey IV ments and to bring those stories and Currently Buck leads the Minnesota office of Forbes-Tate, a public policy lessons home to Minnesota. firm based in Washington D.C. Prior to this role, he lead the Office of Communications for the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizen- Efforts to establish a similar model in ship and Immigration Services. He began his career in congressional rela- the Twin Cities are moving forward tions for the Secretary of Agriculture during the Clinton Administration, and seek to establish common goals, and more recently has led federal and state relations for two successful metrics and a vision for educational bipartisan government and public affairs firms, ASI Communications and achievement for our students. As Intersect Strategies. organizers continue the planning process, they can draw on the collec- Growth & Justice would like to thank outgoing board member Jorge tive experience of community-wide Saavedra whose tenure ends this year. We appreciate his long service in conversations that have happened support of our mission and wish him well. in St. Cloud and Itasca County on www.growthandjustice.orG Fall 2012 • 5 Double your impact with Give to the Max!

fter the election, we need to hit pledged to match ALL A the ground running with the gifts dollar-for-dollar (up new Minnesota Legislature, advocat- to $10,000 total), mean- ing for policy that makes our econ- ing that you can double omy stronger and more equitable. the impact of your gift Every dollar donated to Growth & on November 15th! Justice helps us advance progressive policies at the Capitol. On Thursday, Want to multiply your November 15, you can double the gift even more? Use impact your donation makes during social media and word of Give to Max Day! mouth to challenge your friends to match your do- On Minnesota’s Give to the Max nation! This will help us Day, Growth & Justice will have bring in new donors, and 26 chances to earn more from your further spread our mes- gift! You could help us win one of sage about how we can 25 $1,000 “Golden Tickets,” or the have a future for Minne- $10,000 “Supersized Golden Ticket.” sota that is both fair and The more donors we have, the better prosperous. our chances! Give to the Max Day And NEW this year, our board of is midnight-to-midnight directors has created a challenge fund Nov. 15. Set reminders now for you givemn.razoo.com/story/ for Give to the Max Day. They have and your friends to donate at Growth-And-Justice.

Workforce development project continued from page 1

Another major project, Smart labor shortage Allina Health System The project is still in the early Investments in Minnesota’s Stu- was experiencing. The successful stages, but there are many stellar dents, provides a birth-to-career effort was a win-win, providing examples of workforce development framework showing best strategies trained staff for the employers and models in the Twin Cities region that and interventions for dramatically putting hundreds of local residents show great promise and merit further increasing Minnesota’s postsecond- on track toward rewarding careers study, including Project for Pride in ary attainment rate. in the health care field. Living and the Jeremiah Program for single mothers. Last spring, Growth & Justice As part of this new project, Growth policy fellow Mike Christenson, & Justice staff will study examples Policy and research director Mau- formerly director of community of successful workforce develop- reen Ramirez says, “What I like planning and economic develop- ment models in Minnesota and about this project is that it brings a ment for the City of Minneapolis, elsewhere in the region. Growth & number of things together: work- and a vice president at Minneapolis Justice president Dane Smith has force development, education and Community and Technical College, been appointed to Everybody In, a equity. And having all three of those authored our most recent paper on promising new coalition bringing conversations at once is what’s new workforce development issues. together a wide array of business, and exciting. education and social service leaders In the policy brief “Public-Private committed to reducing racial and “Workforce development is the Partnerships Promoted Progress in income disparities in employment way that businesses like to talk Once-Troubled Minneapolis Neigh- in the Twin Cities area. How serious about education. If you call it that, borhood,” Christenson detailed how is the mismatch and the gap? A new they listen they, get engaged. Of health-sector employers in the Phil- study released in July shows that course, when we talk about edu- lips neighborhood collaborated with our metropolitan area has the great- cation and training, we also want local philanthropic and government est gap in the nation between black to make sure that we’re moving leaders and launched a multi-phase and white unemployment rates. people into jobs in an equitable project to train local workers for way—and providing a long-term, the jobs that were part of a chronic sustainable and living wage.”

6 •FALL 2012 Volume 17 Blog: Author of “So Rich, So Poor’’ brings truths about poverty to Minnesota

have the great privilege of signficantly worse I introducing author Peter Edel- off than the poor man Tuesday evening to talk about in all the so-called his powerful new book, “So Rich, developed nations. So Poor: Why It’s So Hard to End Edelman will talk Poverty in America.” Edelman is a about his book at Georgetown University law profes- 7 p.m. on Tuesday sor who has served at the pinnacles Oct. 2 at Common of power, as an adviser to U.S. Sen. Good Books, at the Robert Kennedy and in President corner of Grand and Bill Clinton’s administration. He Snelling in St. Paul. may be most famous for resigning from the Clinton administration to — Dane Smith protest the deep cuts to benefits and eligibility limits in Clinton’s wel- Blog posted on October 1, 2012 fare “reform’’ package in the mid Growth & Justice Blog at 1990s. His book is a primer on the For more stories like this visit the growthandjustice.typepad.com/ disgraceful prevalence of poverty in the world’s wealthiest and most powerful nation. It’s also one of the most misunderstood issues in our Watch for new report on economic inequality body politic. The compelling fact that Edelman drove home in a recent atch for a policy paper soon from Growth & Justice that will New York Times editorial is this: W take a fresh look at the troubling and growing economic the failure of the private sector to inequality in Minnesota and in the nation. The researchers and lead adequately reward people who work authors of the report are Growth & Justice policy fellows Jay Cog- hard for their living is by far the big- gins, an associate professor of applied economics at the University gest driver of poverty and low-in- of Minnesota, and Thomas Legg, a senior lecturer at the U of M’s come status. Most poor people work Carlson School of Management. The paper will outline some interest- and a whopping 104 million people ing contrasts and patterns in the scale of economic inequality by geo- -- a third of our population -- have graphic region in Minnesota. It will show how Minnesota’s inequality annual incomes below twice the differs from national trends. And it will include a bold new call to poverty line, or less than $38,000 policymakers in Minnesota. The most important and pervasive policy for a family of three. A fourth of all challenge of our time is this matter of worsening economic inequality, jobs pay below the poverty line for a namely, an increasing concentration of wealth and income at the top, family of four, or less than $23,000 a stagnating and declining middle class, and persistent poverty for annually. As the world’s only too many, particularly in communities of color. Our work consistently wealthy democracy without univer- makes the case for a broader and more inclusive prosperity, showing sal health care, and with some of the how smart public investments in human capital and infrastructure will chintziest economic security bene- produce a more sustainable and healthy economic growth. fits in the western world, our work- ing poor and our disabled poor are

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www.growthandjustice.orG Fall 2012 • 7 Staff NON-PROFIT ORG CENTER FOR A PROSPEROUS, FAIR, & SUSTAINABLE MINNESOTA ECONOMY U.S. POSTAGE PAID Dane Smith 2324 University Ave. W., Suite 120A TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 30308 President Saint Paul, MN 55114 Maureen Ramirez Director of Policy & Research Jennifer Weddell Director of Finance, Operations & Publications

Mark Tundel Communications Manager

Fellows

Marsha Blumenthal Senior Policy Fellow on Economics Chuck Brown Senior Policy Fellow on Rural Issues Mike Christenson Policy Fellow Jay Coggins Policy Fellow Jack Ditmore Senior Policy Fellow Amy Lange Policy Fellow on Health Care Thomas Legg Policy Fellow Michael O’Keefe Senior Policy Fellow Don Ostrom Senior Policy Fellow Charlie Quimby Senior Communications Fellow

Board of Directors Nov. 13 event to outline new directions on tax redesign and budgeting for outcomes Marlana Benzie-Lourey Ron DeHarpporte Kelly Doran rowth & Justice has been at the leading edge of efforts to redesign Arlen Erdahl G both our state tax system and our state-and-local government delivery David Fisher systems, to maximize both fairness and effectiveness. Linda Fisher Lew Freeman, Secretary In keeping with those priorities, we are sponsoring a presentation of initia- Vernae Hasbargen tives toward both those goals from two of the state’s top leaders. Minne- H.B. “Bud” Hayden Jr. sota Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans will outline the parameters of a Hubert H. “Buck” Humphrey IV thorough tax system overhaul that Gov. Mark Dayton is likely to push for Vivian Jenkins Nelsen in 2013. And Tina Smith, Gov. Dayton’s chief of staff, will talk about a new Thomas C. Kayser, Chair effort to bring an “outcome-based” budgeting process to state government. Joel Kramer Kimberly Lowe The presentations are scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and will Lee Lynch be held at WomenVenture (2324 University Avenue West in St. Paul). Michael O’Keefe The initiatives are especially pertinent for business owners and managers, Erik Peterson and our event co-sponsors are Small Business Minnesota, a new associa- Walter “Rocky” Rockenstein tion that favors smart public investments and a more equitable economic Martin Olav Sabo growth, and WomenVenture, a nonprofit that helps women entrepreneurs Betsey Whitbeck, Vice Chair and business owners.