Facing race head-on: Deep and intransigent employment disparities persist in Minnesota

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Headlines reporting glaring disparities in unemployment rates, by race, have sent a jolt to many Minnesotans, but the numbers are clear.With an unemployment rate of 22.5 percent, African Americans in Minnesota are over three times as likely as whites to be out of work, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.The unemployment rate among white Minnesotans is tenth lowest in the U.S., while the state’s black unemployment rate is third highest nationally.At 15.5 percent, the unemployment rate for Latino residents is over twice the state’s overall rate.Women of color in Minnesota experience still higher rates of joblessness.Disparities between Minneapolis’s black and white residents are the highest among the 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute.Furthermore, the StarTribune reports that this situation is not new. The state’s black jobless rate has been triple that of whites—or larger—since 2004.Gaps in unemployment rates are not strictly attributable to disparities in education, say analysts at the Minnesota Budget Project (MBP). “According to U.S. Census data, Minnesota remains a very white state. Couple a largely homogenous population with significant cutbacks in public services for vulnerable populations, and experts say minority communities face significant challenges.” The Minnesota Budget Project cites several challenges that people of color in the state confront, including insufficient access to adequate and appropriate job training, limited social connections of the kind vital to job hunters, especially during a recession, and prejudices during the hiring process.Republicans in the Minnesota State Legislature this session have called for cutbacks in public services for “vulnerable populations.” On the jobs front they have pushed for cutting the budget of the agency charged with eliminating workplace discrimination by 65 percent. Booker Hodge, president of the Minneapolis NAACP, has said that, “Slashing funding for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) would mean increased discrimination and decreased employment opportunities for communities of color at a time when Minnesota should be moving forward to address existing disparities.” ( “A cuts-only approach jeopardizes services that protect human rights,” May 20, 2011.)MDHR Commissioner Kevin Lindsey has noted that that what is happening in Minnesota is part of a much broader effort. Continue Reading

Jobs and work in Minnesota’s future

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The Daily Planet’s New Normal Project is a series of news stories and community conversations devoted to identifying community priorities as we face serious economic challenges. Every month we’ll tackle a different topic, including neighborhoods, the state budget, education, health care, public services, immigrant communities, the environment, work and inequality. You’re invited to join the conversation, either online (by commenting on articles like this one) or by participating in a community conversation (see the list of this month’s conversations at the end of this story.)   The Challenge How do we create good jobs for Minnesotans, and prepare a workforce with the skills required to fill them? Is the best solution to: Focus on workforce development? Create public jobs programs and support worker organizing?Develop initiatives that help Minnesota retain businesses and jobs?A different approach (please share your ideas). Continue Reading

Budget choices: Former Gov. Arne Carlson makes the case for long-term reform

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Former Gov. Arne Carlson emphasizes that solving today’s problems may not solve tomorrow’s, although he applauds Gov. Dayton and the legislature for “facing up to their responsibilities, and not kicking the can down the road for somebody else to deal with.” To think beyond today’s immediate concerns, Carlson proposes governmental reform to confront structural deficits. By looking to at least 2015, he says, this approach would bring long-term planning back into the equation, something that Tim Pawlenty dropped as governor. “From the position of a financial conservative,” Carlson says, “this is an appropriate time to take a very dire situation and turn it into a positive.” Reforms would emerge from assembling some of the most talented people from around the state. Continue Reading

Making choices: Minnesota’s budget

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The Daily Planet’s New Normal Project is a series of news stories and community conversations devoted to identifying community priorities as we face serious economic challenges. Every month we’ll tackle a different topic, including neighborhoods, the state budget, education, health care, public services, immigrant communities, the environment, work and inequality. You’re invited to join the conversation, either online (by commenting on articles like this one) or by participating in a community conversation (see the list of this month’s conversations at the end of this story.) The Challenge: As the legislature and governor clash over taxes and spending, what should our priorities be for the state budget? How should our economic and social values shape how we balance the budget? Is the best solution to: A)   Increase revenues through taxes on the state’s top income earners?B)   Drastically cut spending?C)   Aim for a balanced approach, one based on new revenues from various sources alongside more modest cuts?D)   A different approach (please share your ideas.) The Facts:The State of Minnesota is facing a $5 billion budget deficit, lower than the $6.2 billion initially forecast. Continue Reading

New Normal: Minneapolis and St. Paul city budgets

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UPDATED 3/15/2010—As Minneapolis and St. Paul continue to confront cuts in funding to cities currently being made in state and federal budgets, taxpayers are bearing much of the brunt, both through higher property taxes and diminished services. This is confirmed in a report recently issued by State Auditor Rebecca Otto. Responding to complaints from some vocal tax payers, Minneapolis’s mayor and council have found themselves pressured to scale back on previously proposed property tax increases. Diminished dollars from that primary source have forced deeper cuts to the adopted 2011 city budget, with widespread implications for the level of services and investment in infrastructure that residents of that city can now expect. Continue Reading

Hard times, hard choices: How should neighborhoods respond to the “New Normal?”

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The Daily Planet’s New Normal Project is a series of news stories and community conversations devoted to identifying community priorities as we face serious economic challenges. Every month we’ll tackle a different topic, including neighborhoods, the state budget, education, health care, public services, immigrant communities, the environment, work and inequality. You’re invited to join the conversation, either online (by commenting on articles like this one) or by participating in a community conversation (see the list of this month’s conversations at the end of this story.)The Challenge: In a time of budget deficits and decreasing resources, how can we best promote the economic vitality and livability of our neighborhoods?Is the best solution to:A: Learn to do more with less? B: Raise property taxes?C: Cut property taxes, and focus on basic services?D: A different approach (please share your ideas).Scroll down to read background information on this issue, and some of the arguments for each of these proposed solutions.Background: Neighborhoods face tough decisions as budget deficits and decreasing resources threaten funding for neighborhood organizations and for public services in general. Additional challenges come from an economy that has left many empty storefronts and unemployed workers, with businesses and individuals struggling to find new ways to cope. Continue Reading

Join the conversation: Twin Cities neighborhoods grapple with the “New Normal”

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In a time of budget deficits and decreasing resources, how can we best promote the economic vitality and livability of our neighborhoods? Should neighborhood organizations reorganize resources to be more efficient or rely more on volunteers? Should city government raise property taxes to support neighborhood organizations? Should we cut property taxes and focus government funding on basic services? You’re invited to join the discussion online or at community conversations. Continue Reading