[Dyna] Minnesota's largest private employer is no longer Northwest or 3M or Honeywell, it's WalMart.
[Vicky] Actually, the largest PRIVATE employer in Minnesota is Target. Of course Minneapolis taxpayers are paying a hefty price for those low wage jobs. Over the past twenty years in Minnesota, LOCAL government employment has INCREASED 45.1% while the population only increased 21.5%. These are statewide figures - It would be very interesting to compare Minneapolis City payroll costs in 1982 vs. 2002, a twenty year period of DECLINING population. [Dyna] Some of my neighbors have committed to 30 year mortgages on homes they have been chased from by crime. As the value of their unliveable Minneapolis homes crashes they're struggling to pay off that mortgage, take a huge loss, or default and have their credit ruined for life. [Vicky] Housing values are determined by a handful of desperate sellers (same for stock prices.) Once the selling begins......watch out below. Using Warren Buffett's words "We live in Squanderville." Minneapolis (and many of its residents) has mortgaged its future to get what it wants now. Carol Becker claims that Minneapolis has a "balanced budget." Very deceptive language. The budget was "balanced" by borrowing over a Billion dollars. Those who live in Squanderville don't care who pays the tab -- as long as they get what they want. I find this attitude selfish and irresponsible. [Dyna] So the folks who still can are still fleeing Minneapolis, and the folks in the castle with the cookoo clock still don't understand why. [Vicky] They will figure it out eventually.....I hope it's not too late. Vicky Heller North Oaks Footnote: The LARGEST employer in MN is STATE GOVERNMENT. The second largest employer in MN is the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Target comes in as #3 followed by the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA in 4th place. Public employees make 20% more than private sector equivalents PLUS much better benefits PLUS lots more time off!!!!! Source: "A pretty good deal" at www.taxpayersleague.org. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
