Commentary

From Out Here

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2010

2010 Census: Full Count Critical to Minnesota

Previewing the 2010 Session of the Minnesota Legislature

2009

High Speed Internet Service Key to Rural and Small-Town Minnesota’s Vitality

Agriculture, While Changing, is Still a Dominant Minnesota Industry

Research-Driven Policy Decisions Are Key to Greater Minnesota’s Future

Logging Industry Remains Vital to Minnesota’s Economy

What are Southern Minnesota’s Brightest Economic Opportunities?

Minnesota Breweries Supply More than Good Beer

Vacation at a Minnesota Resort this Summer

Fishing is an Economic Engine in Rural Minnesota

For past commentaries, visit our archives page.

Self-driving cars? They’re closer than you think

Frank Douma, director of the State and Local Policy Program at the U of M’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, joins us this week. Frank has been tracking self-driving vehicles for years. The technology for them is out in fields right now, Frank says, and MnDOT demonstrated self-driving buses last year already. We can expect more demonstrations, including in Greater Minnesota. But what about people with jobs as drivers right now?
Shopping small in Greater Minnesota, pt 1

Heather Fisher, owner of Salvage Sisters in Mankato, joins Marnie and Jim to talk about Shop Small Saturday and the importance of small businesses to cities small and large in Greater Minnesota.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 3

In the third and final part of our interview with CRPD board member and Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle, Tim talks about how federal transportation dollars are divided among Minnesota’s communities, and why with the upcoming Census in 2020 it will be especially important that everyone gets counted. Minnesota is on the verge of losing a Congressional seat, and that could have a serious impact on the amount of federal dollars flowing into the state.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 2

Crow Wing County Administrator and CRPD board member Tim Houle joins us again this week to talk about the complicated relationship between the county, state and federal governments. This week we look at the need for counties to communicate the local perspective to state lawmakers in St. Paul. As an example, Tim talks about mental health and county jails.
Government: At the intersection of local, state and federal, pt 1

Crow Wing County Administrator and CRPD board member Tim Houle joins us this week to talk about the complicated relationship between the county, state and federal governments.