Dane Smith

Dane Smith's picture

Biography

About me

Dane Smith, president of the progressive-leaning St. Paul-based think-tank Growth & Justice, enjoyed a 30-year career as a writer for the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press, where he delved into state, local and federal government and politics.

Column: 
Growth and Justice

How we can help the poor help themselves, and our economy, Selvaggio-style

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

Joe Selvaggio is a celebrated former priest who has spent nearly half a century helping poor folks become more productive and less poor, lately through the MicroGrants program and before that, Project for Pride in Living.

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Growth And Justice

A different tone in this year's tax committee hearings, and a clear consensus for more and fairer revenue

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

I've heard infinite versions of "don't tax me'' or "taxing me or my customers more will destroy my business AND the economy'' in my decades under the dome. And last week's opposition at a House hearing to ending sales tax exemptions on business services was typical in many respects. Just because these fears often turn out unfounded _ our economy was performing better, in the 1990s, when taxes were higher _ doesn't mean these specific concerns shouldn't be heeded.

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Growth And Justice

A week for reflection and commitment to justice and broader prosperity (and yes, taxes and public investments help do that)

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

We have this week a confluence of events that ought to lift our hopes and sharpen our resolve to reduce racial and economic inequality in our state and nation, and to build a more inclusive prosperity.

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Growth And Justice

Top priority for transitway development should be employers and jobs

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

You are a policy-maker and you have a tough choice between two major development proposals for the same site on a major light-rail line or transitway. All things being equal, which do you choose: a major employer or a large housing complex?

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Growth And Justice

Recommended reading: Ember Reichgott Junge on charter schools, and John Watson Milton on Senate Majority Leader Nick Coleman Sr.

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

For lovers of Minnesota, for history buffs and for students and practitioners of public policy, I highly recommend two outstanding books released this week.

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Growth And Justice

Closing the skills gap in the Phillips neighborhood

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

One of the most unforgettable economic policy statements I ever heard came from a presidential candidate in the early 1990s who explained that we had lots of people who needed work, and lots of work that needed to be done, and that we ought to get those two problems on the same page.

And so it is with the “skills gap” and the “equity gap” in Minnesota.

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Growth And Justice

Top 10 facts about our LOW taxes

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

The week when federal taxes are due predictably generates fist-shaking by the various forces for individualism and small government, and increasingly, counter-demonstrations by the "99 percenters'' who favor a stronger public sector and more fair economic outcomes.

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Growth And Justice

Know exactly where you rank among the 99 Percent (you may be surprised)

By Dane Smith, Growth And Justice

One of the best things coming out of the 99 Percenters movement is an increasing public awareness of exactly who gets how much in our increasingly unequal nation.

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Growth And Justice
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