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Federal Issues

Federal policy decisions in areas from health care to nutrition to the environment have a real impact on Minnesotans' daily lives. The federal government is also an important partner in funding public services at the state and local levels, and federal tax decisions influence our state tax system as well. Our analysis focuses on whether federal policies support or hinder Minnesota's progress toward building a broader prosperity for all.

Research

August 2021

Child Tax Credit expansions expected to make historic reductions in child poverty; Improvements should be made permanent

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 temporarily makes powerful changes to the Child Tax Credit that increase the credit amount and expand eligibility for the credit to include children and families who were previously left out. This issue brief dives deep into the impacts and why these changes should be made permanent.

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January 2021

Affordable Care Act: Minnesota has much at stake

When it passed a decade ago, the Affordable Care Act was the most comprehensive change to health care policy in a generation, and resulted in more people with health care coverage as well as improvements to make health care more accessible. This issue brief examines how Minnesotans have benefited from the Affordable Care Act, and what's at stake if it goes away.

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August 2020

New data show COVID is amplifying hardships for low-income people and folks of color

New data from the Census Bureau illustrates the staggering increase in hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and burgeoning economic recession. And the burden falls particularly on people of color, who benefitted the least from the economic boom times and today can least absorb the blow.

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August 2020

Recession responses that do not center Minnesotans of color likely to widen racial disparities

Policy responses to the Great Recession were insufficient in magnitude and length to mitigate racial disparities, and in fact some disparities were made worse. Policymakers must prioritize racial equity in their responses to the current economic downturn and COVID pandemic, to ensure all our communities, whether Black, Brown, or white, can thrive and are resilient in weathering these crises.

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Federal Issues Blog Posts

October 06, 2021

Federal tax reforms are an essential piece of building a better future

Federal policymakers are in the midst of an essential and high stakes debate about the future of our country. More than...

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September 22, 2021

Unemployment Insurance supports workers, not a major cause of labor shortages

To keep workers across the nation safe from infection with COVID-19 and stabilize household incomes, in March 2020 Co...

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September 22, 2021

Federal policy action protected health, economic well-being during pandemic

Federal COVID-19 relief actions reduced hardship during the pandemic and the dramatic economic disruption it caused in...

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September 21, 2021

Dear Congress: It's time to pass historic investments

If Congress makes the right choices, recovery legislation could lead to historic reductions in economic and racial inequality in Minnesota and across the country.

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More Federal Blog Posts

Research Focus

fed highlighy

Federal Funds are Instrumental to Building Prosperity

The federal government is a significant source of funding for Minnesota and helps more Minnesotans have affordable health care, assists low-income families who are trying to make ends meet, and strengthens our roads and transit systems. 

In the FY 2018-19 biennium, about 30 percent of the state’s budget comes from the federal government, or close to $25 billion. Additional federal dollars go to local governments and nonprofits for education, transportation, and other community investments. Read the full report here.

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