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The challenge presented by Andy Brehm’s commentary about how adjusted gross income seems to be leaving the state is to know where to start (”Why is this much wealth leaving Minnesota?” Strib Voices, Sept. 20). For one thing, does he have observers at the border counting the dollar bills leaving the state? Given the fact that Minnesota is running budget surpluses, is lack of adjusted gross income really a problem that should drive policy? And while those dollars Brehm envisions are poised at the border preparing to depart the Gopher State, would their owners be more likely to keep them here if we made the cuts in things like schools and health care his policy suggestions would set in motion?
I admit, I lack Brehm’s omniscience. Extremely raw and complex revenue numbers taken utterly out of context do not speak to me in the way they seem to speak to him. I can’t look at tax figures and discern the desires and motivations of those who pay them. But what I do have is a sense that Minnesota is a pretty wealthy state, one with all the major sports teams and a pretty good symphony orchestra. With all our faults, and they are legion, I have made the decision to stay in this wonderful state, and also, I would note, so has Andy Brehm.
Jon Miners, Crystal
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I appreciated Minnesota Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Doug Loon’s measured and thoughtful comments about the Minnesota economy (“Oversimplified views on the Minnesota economy are misleading,” Strib Voices, Sept. 18).
A variety of factors beyond those related to our economy support our collective ability to lead lives of satisfaction and fulfillment. For the future, one will be our ability to manage the changes in the climate.