Center of the American Experiment

The Center of the American Experiment creates unique research, shares insightful commentaries, and commissions various studies. We organize public events that highlight both local and national experts, hold legislative discussions, and provide presentations for students and community groups. Every year, through these diverse activities, we reach a wide audience with the ideas and solutions that we think can positively shape Minnesota's future.

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Counterpoint: Local tax payments should not end once a home is paid off

1 week ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

The Owatonna People’s Press has an op ed from Derek Delaney titled “Property taxes in Minnesota should end once a home is paid off.” I have long argued that Minnesotans are overtaxed and ought to be taxed a good deal less than they are. However, I believe that Mr. Delaney is wrong and that a policy such as he suggests would be both fiscally irresponsible and unfair.
Counterpoint: Payments for locally provided goods and services should not end once a home is paid off

1 week ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

The Owatonna People’s Press has an op-ed from Derek Delaney titled “Property taxes in Minnesota should end once a home is paid off.” I have long argued that Minnesotans are overtaxed and ought to be taxed a good deal less than they are. However, I believe that Mr. Delaney is wrong and that a policy such as he suggests would be both fiscally irresponsible and unfair.
How well does Minnesota prepare elementary teachers for math instruction?

1 week ago | americanexperiment.org | Catrin Wigfall

Minnesota could do a better job equipping elementary teacher candidates in math instruction, according to a new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The report analyzes how well each state meets five policy levers, which NCTQ has identified as the key ways to elevate teacher effectiveness, strengthen math instruction, and drive better student outcomes: Set specific, detailed math standards for teacher preparation programs.
Teachers’ union president resigns from DNC

1 week ago | americanexperiment.org | Catrin Wigfall

American Federation of Teachers union President Randi Weingarten is leaving her position with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) due to disagreements with leadership, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO. Weingarten has served as an at-large member of the DNC for 23 years and has served on its Rules and Bylaws Committee since 2009. She has been a delegate to each of the Democratic conventions since 1992.
Brian Wilson, 1942-2025

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

My dad once told me that when The Beatles returned from their triumphant first tour of America in February 1964, an interviewer asked them what the best American music they’d heard on the trip was and John Lennon said something along the lines of: “Well, there’s a band called The Beach Boys who are pretty good.” Within a couple of days, all the kids at dad’s school were listening to The Beach Boys. That was good talent spotting from Lennon.
Minnesota’s Economic News - W/E 6/13/25

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

Net domestic migration — whether more people are moving to Minnesota from other parts of the United States than are moving from it to other parts of the United States…
More parents now support phone-free schools

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | Catrin Wigfall

As more states pass legislation curbing cell phone use during school, more parents are getting on board with the idea, according to a new survey commissioned by Yondr, an American company known for its Yondr Pouch that stores phones to prevent use in designated phone-free spaces.
New state mandates like paid family and medical leave are squeezing childcare providers

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

Back in 2023, I noted that childcare is relatively expensive in Minnesota because, as my colleague Martha Njolomole has written at length, the regulatory burden on providers is relatively high here. An “unprecedented” spate of day care closures in St. Paul illustrates this, and inidicates that the problem is getting worse. The Star Tribune reports:After 55 years, Children’s Country Day School plans to close at the end of this summer. Last week, Children’s Center Montessori ended a 53-year run.
If school spending is up, why aren’t teacher salaries?

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | Catrin Wigfall

Common sense says that the most important thing to spend education dollars on is a well-equipped, high-quality teacher for every classroom. So, if school spending is up, why aren’t teacher salaries? That’s the question Chad Aldeman with The 74 set out to answer through his interactive “school district revenue vs. salary change” charts that track the growth trends across districts.
EV fee hikes will make road funding fairer

2 weeks ago | americanexperiment.org | John Phelan

Last year, I asked “How should we pay for the roads?” I noted three sources of pressure on the state government’s sources of funding for the construction and maintenance of roads: inflation, improved fuel economy, and electric vehicles. “According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation,” I wrote:…the number of electric vehicles registered in Minnesota increased by 1,440% between 2016 and 2022, from 749 to 11,534, as Figure 4 shows.