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

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.

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.

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.

November 2019

Only Wealthy Immigrants Need Apply: The Chilling Effects of "Public Charge"

While not yet in effect, President Trump's public charge rule would have a chilling effect on over 200,000 Minnesotans and have negative economic impacts on the state.

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Federal Issues Blog Posts

May 23, 2024

Study: How much do profitable US companies pay in federal corporate taxes?

A recent report asserts that many profitable U.S. companies pay a lower effective corporate income tax rate than the federal tax rate of 21 percent, mainly because of the loopholes that have been left in place or introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As components of the TCJA are due to expire in 2025, policymakers should reconsider whether profitable corporations are doing their part to fund crucial public services that everyday folks across the country value and count on.

May 03, 2024

Direct File could save Minnesotans time and money when filing income taxes

Paying taxes is how we come together to fund public services that Minnesotans value and count on, but with our current system, the majority of folks pay to meet their tax-filing responsibilities. Direct File is a free online tool to file and prepare income taxes, and Minnesota can build on positive federal progress on making this option available. Read our blog to learn about how a Direct File system would benefit Minnesotans by saving time, money, and improving access to tax credits.

January 25, 2024

Proposed federal Child Tax Credit expansion would boost the incomes of millions of families

Congress is considering passing an important expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit that would benefit about 16 million children in low-income families across the US. But it's not a sure thing yet. We've included a link in the blog to email your representatives today, urging them to pass an expanded CTC and reduce poverty among the nation's children.

January 25, 2023

Child poverty declines sharply thanks to federal Child Tax Credit expansion

Thanks in part to improvements policymakers made to the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), recent U.S. Census data show that from 2019 to 2021, child poverty fell a remarkable 59 percent. Minnesota policymakers should build on that success and create a state Child Tax Credit.

Research Focus

American Rescue Plan Resources

The federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed in March 2021, brought about $8.5 billion to Minnesota state and local governments. Learn more about the ARP funding streams and how Minnesota policymakers allocated these resources.

Federal Issues

Research

Affordable Care Act: Minnesota has much at stake

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

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

Only Wealthy Immigrants Need Apply: The Chilling Effects of "Public Charge"

Federal Issues Blog Posts

Study: How much do profitable US companies pay in federal corporate taxes?

Direct File could save Minnesotans time and money when filing income taxes

Proposed federal Child Tax Credit expansion would boost the incomes of millions of families

Child poverty declines sharply thanks to federal Child Tax Credit expansion

Research Focus

American Rescue Plan Resources

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