Minnesota: A state that works...again

A little over forty years ago TIME magazine published an article titled Minnesota: A state that works. Some recent statistics show that is once again true.

• Twin Cities unemployment rate is 4% - the lowest for a metropolitan area in the country
• Rainy day reserve funds at $811 million - the largest in the state's history
• Thanks to Obamacare, 95% of state residents are insured
• Minnesota is ranked as one of the least corrupt states in the country

Republicans are always telling us that we should look to the states for leadership and innovation. Given that Minnesota has a Democratic governor and state legislature, the results might not provide them with the evidence they're looking for. As Republican governors/legislatures (like Sam Brownback in Kansas) are becoming more extreme, we're seeing mounting evidence around the country that Democratic policies work and Republican efforts are failing miserably.

A lot of us complain pretty regularly about the weather up here in the tundra. But there's a reason why so many of us are fiercely loyal to this state. Stuff works up here ;-)