North Star Policy Action
@northstarpolicy.org
We're an independent research and communications institute that advances bold ideas that improve the lives of everyday Minnesotans.
Pinned
BREAKING: In just six weeks, Minnesota workers lost over $100 million in wages due to Operation Metro Surge.
This means millions of dollars didn’t make it to Minnesota families and small businesses, a conservative estimate that likely understates the full impact.
This means millions of dollars didn’t make it to Minnesota families and small businesses, a conservative estimate that likely understates the full impact.
Health insurance premiums are going up again for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans 🚨
Final 2027 rates released today show average increases of 9.9% to 21.1% on the individual market and 10.6% to 21.4% for small businesses.
Final 2027 rates released today show average increases of 9.9% to 21.1% on the individual market and 10.6% to 21.4% for small businesses.
October 1, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Health insurance premiums are going up again for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans 🚨
Final 2027 rates released today show average increases of 9.9% to 21.1% on the individual market and 10.6% to 21.4% for small businesses.
Final 2027 rates released today show average increases of 9.9% to 21.1% on the individual market and 10.6% to 21.4% for small businesses.
Yesterday, dozens of researchers, community leaders, and journalists came together for "Documenting the Impact of U.S. DHS in Minnesota," a full day of data, research, and conversations about the toll of this winter's federal immigration surge.
September 23, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Yesterday, dozens of researchers, community leaders, and journalists came together for "Documenting the Impact of U.S. DHS in Minnesota," a full day of data, research, and conversations about the toll of this winter's federal immigration surge.
Reposted by North Star Policy Action
The wonderful @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social research director of @northstarpolicy.org and my coauthor, chairs the closing session.
September 22, 2026 at 10:08 PM
The wonderful @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social research director of @northstarpolicy.org and my coauthor, chairs the closing session.
Our RD on how Operation Metro surge impacted the Minnesota economy and hurt working Minnesotans. You can read our latest report here: northstarpolicy.org/leisure-and-...
September 22, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Our RD on how Operation Metro surge impacted the Minnesota economy and hurt working Minnesotans. You can read our latest report here: northstarpolicy.org/leisure-and-...
Reposted by North Star Policy Action
Stacey Pelika, one of the main conference organizers, in dialogue with Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis.
None of what DHS did on our school property involved proper warrants and coordination.
It wasn't enforcement activity.
It aimed to create terror among our families.
None of what DHS did on our school property involved proper warrants and coordination.
It wasn't enforcement activity.
It aimed to create terror among our families.
September 22, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Stacey Pelika, one of the main conference organizers, in dialogue with Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis.
None of what DHS did on our school property involved proper warrants and coordination.
It wasn't enforcement activity.
It aimed to create terror among our families.
None of what DHS did on our school property involved proper warrants and coordination.
It wasn't enforcement activity.
It aimed to create terror among our families.
Today we convened researchers, advocates, and community partners at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School to document the impact of DHS activity in Minnesota. Grateful to The Advocates for Human Rights and everyone in the room working to bring data and accountability to this moment.
September 22, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Today we convened researchers, advocates, and community partners at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School to document the impact of DHS activity in Minnesota. Grateful to The Advocates for Human Rights and everyone in the room working to bring data and accountability to this moment.
"AI represents a particular vulnerability to our economy" — North Star's Aaron Rosenthal on why MN white-collar-heavy headquarters economy is especially exposed to AI. New piece via @minnesotareformer.com: newsfromthestates.com/article/ai-could-upend-headquarters-economy-made-minnesota-rich
AI could upend the headquarters economy that made Minnesota rich
Several years ago, I spoke to Jawed Karim, a former St. Paul resident who co-founded YouTube before Google purchased it in 2005.A soft-spoken computer engineer who is part Bengali and German, Karim so...
newsfromthestates.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
"AI represents a particular vulnerability to our economy" — North Star's Aaron Rosenthal on why MN white-collar-heavy headquarters economy is especially exposed to AI. New piece via @minnesotareformer.com: newsfromthestates.com/article/ai-could-upend-headquarters-economy-made-minnesota-rich
New report: Minnesota school districts are still getting less state aid than they did in 2003 and the gains made in 2023 are on track to erode within two years.
northstarpolicy.org/the-gap/
northstarpolicy.org/the-gap/
The Gap that Remains: The State of School Funding in Minnesota | North Star Policy Action
northstarpolicy.org
August 26, 2026 at 2:13 PM
New report: Minnesota school districts are still getting less state aid than they did in 2003 and the gains made in 2023 are on track to erode within two years.
northstarpolicy.org/the-gap/
northstarpolicy.org/the-gap/
New report: our latest research finds rising student non-participation is making MCA scores a less accurate measure of school performance.
August 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
New report: our latest research finds rising student non-participation is making MCA scores a less accurate measure of school performance.
Reposted by North Star Policy Action
A pause in federal reviews of wind-energy projects has affected four proposed #Minnesota developments. A new analysis estimates 4,400 jobs could be lost and $1.6 billion in investment could be delayed or canceled as states challenge the freeze in court.
#WindEnergy @northstarpolicy.org
#WindEnergy @northstarpolicy.org
Military's pause of wind farm reviews stalls MN projects
Minnesota is now part of legal action to jumpstart federal reviews of onshore wind projects. The Department of Defense hit pause on security checks and an independent think tank said
app.publicnewsservice.org
July 21, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A pause in federal reviews of wind-energy projects has affected four proposed #Minnesota developments. A new analysis estimates 4,400 jobs could be lost and $1.6 billion in investment could be delayed or canceled as states challenge the freeze in court.
#WindEnergy @northstarpolicy.org
#WindEnergy @northstarpolicy.org
We’re proud to be co-planning Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota, a Sept. 22 research convening at the UMN.
Seeking proposals on the impacts of DHS activity, including economic, public health, human rights, and community impacts
Proposal deadline: Aug. 13
forms.gle/KEyfoix6ywP7...
Seeking proposals on the impacts of DHS activity, including economic, public health, human rights, and community impacts
Proposal deadline: Aug. 13
forms.gle/KEyfoix6ywP7...
Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota: Presenter and Attendee Interest Form
Due date for presentation proposals: 11:59 pm CT, Thursday, August 13, 2026.
In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began a significant, sustained agent surge in Minnesota t...
forms.gle
July 30, 2026 at 6:38 PM
We’re proud to be co-planning Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota, a Sept. 22 research convening at the UMN.
Seeking proposals on the impacts of DHS activity, including economic, public health, human rights, and community impacts
Proposal deadline: Aug. 13
forms.gle/KEyfoix6ywP7...
Seeking proposals on the impacts of DHS activity, including economic, public health, human rights, and community impacts
Proposal deadline: Aug. 13
forms.gle/KEyfoix6ywP7...
North Star Policy Action's research is featured in recent coverage of the Pentagon's wind energy review freeze — and what it's costing Minnesota. 4,400 jobs. $1.6 billion in investment.
Read more: minneapolisnews.net/news/279199959/military-pause-of-wind-farm-reviews-stalls-mn-projects
Read more: minneapolisnews.net/news/279199959/military-pause-of-wind-farm-reviews-stalls-mn-projects
minneapolisnews.net
July 22, 2026 at 5:06 PM
North Star Policy Action's research is featured in recent coverage of the Pentagon's wind energy review freeze — and what it's costing Minnesota. 4,400 jobs. $1.6 billion in investment.
Read more: minneapolisnews.net/news/279199959/military-pause-of-wind-farm-reviews-stalls-mn-projects
Read more: minneapolisnews.net/news/279199959/military-pause-of-wind-farm-reviews-stalls-mn-projects
New North Star Policy Action research: the federal government's pause on onshore wind energy development is putting 1,200 Minnesota construction jobs and $1.6 billion in investment at risk.
July 7, 2026 at 3:05 PM
New North Star Policy Action research: the federal government's pause on onshore wind energy development is putting 1,200 Minnesota construction jobs and $1.6 billion in investment at risk.
New from North Star Policy Action: health care costs are rising for working Minnesotans and wages aren't keeping up. Our new report breaks down what's driving the increase.
July 1, 2026 at 2:40 PM
New from North Star Policy Action: health care costs are rising for working Minnesotans and wages aren't keeping up. Our new report breaks down what's driving the increase.
🚨 New report
Trump’s economic policies drove a historic spike in the cost of living for MN families in 2025
Minnesotans paid $4.6 BILLION more for basic necessities than they would have if costs had followed historical trends, as costs rose 6.1% across counties. northstarpolicy.org/affordabilit...
Trump’s economic policies drove a historic spike in the cost of living for MN families in 2025
Minnesotans paid $4.6 BILLION more for basic necessities than they would have if costs had followed historical trends, as costs rose 6.1% across counties. northstarpolicy.org/affordabilit...
June 18, 2026 at 1:50 PM
🚨 New report
Trump’s economic policies drove a historic spike in the cost of living for MN families in 2025
Minnesotans paid $4.6 BILLION more for basic necessities than they would have if costs had followed historical trends, as costs rose 6.1% across counties. northstarpolicy.org/affordabilit...
Trump’s economic policies drove a historic spike in the cost of living for MN families in 2025
Minnesotans paid $4.6 BILLION more for basic necessities than they would have if costs had followed historical trends, as costs rose 6.1% across counties. northstarpolicy.org/affordabilit...
Reposted by North Star Policy Action
Study: Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota an estimated 4,600 hospitality jobs in 3 months minnesotareformer.com/briefs/study...
Study: Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota an estimated 4,600 hospitality jobs in 3 months • Minnesota Reformer
Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality sector an estimated 4,600 jobs and $71 million in wages, according to a new study. The analysis of the economic fallout from the unpreced...
minnesotareformer.com
June 2, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Study: Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota an estimated 4,600 hospitality jobs in 3 months minnesotareformer.com/briefs/study...
New report from North Star Policy Action and the W.E. Upjohn Institute: Operation Metro Surge had devastating impacts on Minnesota’s Leisure and hospitality industry.
June 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
New report from North Star Policy Action and the W.E. Upjohn Institute: Operation Metro Surge had devastating impacts on Minnesota’s Leisure and hospitality industry.
ICE’s Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs between December 2025 and February 2026 impacting workers, families, and businesses across the state.
Our report on the economic impacts was featured by COURIER at their new MN newsroom: couriermn.com/news/how-ope...
Our report on the economic impacts was featured by COURIER at their new MN newsroom: couriermn.com/news/how-ope...
How Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs - Courier Minnesota
ICE’s Operation Metro Surge turned many local Minnesota businesses upside down as employers, employees, and customers feared for their safety.
couriermn.com
May 28, 2026 at 9:09 PM
ICE’s Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs between December 2025 and February 2026 impacting workers, families, and businesses across the state.
Our report on the economic impacts was featured by COURIER at their new MN newsroom: couriermn.com/news/how-ope...
Our report on the economic impacts was featured by COURIER at their new MN newsroom: couriermn.com/news/how-ope...
A recent Star Tribune headline declared the $15 minimum wage in the Twin Cities caused "higher pay, fewer jobs" — citing research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, pushed by the industry group Hospitality Minnesota.
May 15, 2026 at 7:20 PM
A recent Star Tribune headline declared the $15 minimum wage in the Twin Cities caused "higher pay, fewer jobs" — citing research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, pushed by the industry group Hospitality Minnesota.
The grades are in — Minnesota just got its ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, and the results aren't good.
The MN Senate has a bonding bill on the table right now. This is how we change the grade.
#MNLeg #MNSenate #northstarpolicyaction
The MN Senate has a bonding bill on the table right now. This is how we change the grade.
#MNLeg #MNSenate #northstarpolicyaction
May 4, 2026 at 8:17 PM
The grades are in — Minnesota just got its ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, and the results aren't good.
The MN Senate has a bonding bill on the table right now. This is how we change the grade.
#MNLeg #MNSenate #northstarpolicyaction
The MN Senate has a bonding bill on the table right now. This is how we change the grade.
#MNLeg #MNSenate #northstarpolicyaction
Our latest analysis featured in the Minnesota Reformer: ICE is bad for business.
New data show Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs, including 5,700 in hospitality and 4,400 in construction.
minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/23/r...
New data show Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs, including 5,700 in hospitality and 4,400 in construction.
minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/23/r...
Report: Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs in hospitality, construction • Minnesota Reformer
Federal employment data shows Minnesota lost 5,700 hospitality jobs and 4,400 construction jobs from December to February.
minnesotareformer.com
April 24, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Our latest analysis featured in the Minnesota Reformer: ICE is bad for business.
New data show Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs, including 5,700 in hospitality and 4,400 in construction.
minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/23/r...
New data show Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs, including 5,700 in hospitality and 4,400 in construction.
minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/23/r...
This Tax Day, we’re thinking about how working families are paying the price for Trump’s massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, offset by nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts.
April 15, 2026 at 3:59 PM
This Tax Day, we’re thinking about how working families are paying the price for Trump’s massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, offset by nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts.
“Most of the human cost of the past few months cannot be undone through state assistance. But the economic damage from Operation Metro Surge provides an opportunity for the state to take meaningful, reparative action.” 👏👏👏 — @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social, Research Director at NSPA
Source: WCCO
Source: WCCO
April 13, 2026 at 8:40 PM
“Most of the human cost of the past few months cannot be undone through state assistance. But the economic damage from Operation Metro Surge provides an opportunity for the state to take meaningful, reparative action.” 👏👏👏 — @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social, Research Director at NSPA
Source: WCCO
Source: WCCO
NEW REPORT: State data confirms that Operation Metro Surge had a damaging impact on Minnesota’s economy, particularly for workers and businesses in the Twin Cities.
northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...
northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...
April 7, 2026 at 6:56 PM
NEW REPORT: State data confirms that Operation Metro Surge had a damaging impact on Minnesota’s economy, particularly for workers and businesses in the Twin Cities.
northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...
northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...
We testified in the MN Senate today in support of commonsense protections for workers as AI rapidly reshapes the workplace.
Our research shows that though 1 in 3 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI, women and workers in low-union occupations still face the highest risk.
Our research shows that though 1 in 3 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI, women and workers in low-union occupations still face the highest risk.
March 26, 2026 at 7:20 PM
We testified in the MN Senate today in support of commonsense protections for workers as AI rapidly reshapes the workplace.
Our research shows that though 1 in 3 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI, women and workers in low-union occupations still face the highest risk.
Our research shows that though 1 in 3 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI, women and workers in low-union occupations still face the highest risk.