Business and Economic News

Tax the rich? Liberals renew push for state wealth taxes
Bills announced Thursday in Minnesota, California, New York, Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington and Connecticut vary in their approaches to hiking taxes, but all revolve around the idea that the richest Americans need to pay more.
3M cutting about 2,500 manufacturing jobs globally
Maplewood-based 3M, maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics, is cutting about 2,500 manufacturing jobs worldwide as it looks to align itself with adjusted production volumes. 
As Sanford, Fairview look to push merger forward, questions about UMN’s role remain
The two health care companies have set a March 31 deadline to complete the merger. The U’s medical school dean says he wants the the university to be part of the deal but worries the deadline is too tight to resolve all of its concerns.
Bill to extend benefits for laid-off mineworkers passes Minnesota House
A bill to extend unemployment benefits for more than 400 laid off mineworkers on the Iron Range is headed to Gov. Tim Walz for his expected signature, after it was overwhelmingly passed by the Minnesota House Monday.
Looking for Amazon alternatives for ethical shopping? Here are some ideas
Amazon ended its charity donation program, AmazonSmile, after a series of other cost-cutting measures. Many shoppers expressed disapproval on social media and have been searching for alternatives.
'Going big': Walz to fill in rest of budget puzzle this week
As Gov. Tim Walz issues his complete budget proposal this week, he says he’s attempting to invigorate a state that has “lived on our laurels” of bygone days.
Minnesota businesses get creative amid worker shortage
Minnesota businesses continue their struggle to fill job vacancies. And many have learned new ways of getting work done with fewer employees. The pandemic accelerated the trend toward robotics, flexible scheduling and more.
Why we have a debt ceiling, and why this trip to the brink may be different
We have been here before. But this time the House's new Republican majority is largely driven by a faction that says it will hold the debt limit vote as a hostage to win policy changes.