Report cites Minnesota’s opportunity, infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems as top factors setting Minnesota ahead
In addition to #3 national ranking, study ranks Minnesota best state in the region
ST. PAUL, MN – Citing economic opportunities, great educations, and quality health care in Minnesota, U.S. News and World Report today released a study
ranking Minnesota the 3rd-best state in the nation. The study also ranked Minnesota as the best state in the region, when compared to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.
“This ranking affirms what we already know: we live in one of the very best states in the country,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “But we still have more work to do to ensure that Minnesota is a state that works for everyone. I urge the Legislature to join me in making the investments necessary to ensure that our state remains a national leader in education, health care, modern infrastructure, and other essential elements of economic opportunity for all our citizens.”
Among the categories considered in the study, Minnesota scored top rankings in opportunity, health care, infrastructure, education, and the economy. In every category scored, Minnesota beats the average of all states in the nation. The study notes that Minnesota has “the third-best health care and some of the best infrastructure and opportunity in the nation.”
“This study underscores that investments in education and infrastructure drive opportunities for all Minnesotans, everywhere in our state,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “Governor Dayton’s Opportunity Agenda will continue this progress.”
Since Governor Dayton took office, the state has turned a $6 billion deficit into consistent budget surpluses, paid back $2.8 billion in debt to our schools, and added more than 255,400 jobs. Under the Governor’s leadership, the state has made investments in education every year – no excuses, no exceptions – to grow greater opportunity for all Minnesota families. Governor Dayton is now calling for
An Opportunity Agenda for a Better Minnesota, to continue that progress and make Minnesota a state that works for everyone, everywhere in our state.
Minnesota’s Number 3 Best State Ranking
In addition to Minnesota’s national number 3 best state ranking, the study also ranked Minnesota as the number 1 state in the region, which also includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. Below, see Minnesota’s rankings in the different categories studied.
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Category
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National Ranking
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Regional Ranking
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Opportunity
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2
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1
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Infrastructure
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5
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1
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Health Care
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3
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1
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Education
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11
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1
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Economy
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12
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2
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Crime and Corrections
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17
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3
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Government Administration
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24
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5
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In the study, Minnesota also ranked #1 nationally for Labor Force Participation, #4 for Educational Attainment, and #5 for Medicare Quality. Additional information is available on
the U.S. News and World Report website.
Righting the Fiscal Ship
When Governor Dayton took office in 2011, the state faced a $6 billion projected budget deficit. This shortfall pushed debt on our public schools and forced massive cuts on the efficient, accountable government services that Minnesota families and businesses rely on.
Now, thanks to Governor Dayton’s leadership, Minnesota has seen eight-straight budget surpluses, including the current
$1.65 billion projected budget surplus. The state has paid back the $2.8 billion we previously owed our schools, and has begun to reverse years of disinvestments in our students and families. Thanks to the Governor’s sound fiscal management, Minnesota’s budget reserves are now the strongest they have ever been. When Governor Dayton took office, 202,000 Minnesotans were out of work. Since that time, Minnesota has added more than 252,100 jobs across the state.
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THEN
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NOW
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Economic Indicator
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January 2011
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January 2017
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Jobs
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When Governor Dayton took office, 202,000 Minnesotans were out of work.
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Minnesota has gained 255,400 new jobs since January 2011.
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Unemployment Rate
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When Governor Dayton took office, the unemployment rate in Minnesota was 6.9 percent.
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In Dec. 2016, the statewide unemployment rate was 3.9 percent. Unemployment has been at or below 4 percent for 30 straight months.
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Budget
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When Governor Dayton took office, Minnesota was facing a $6.2 billion budget deficit.
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Now, Minnesota has a $1.65 billion budget surplus and nearly $2 billion in reserves to protect Minnesota from future economic downturns.
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E-12 Education
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When Governor Dayton took office, the State of Minnesota owed school districts $1.8 billion in unpaid debt.
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Now, the State of Minnesota owes our school districts $0 in unpaid debt.
Since taking office, Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature have invested an additional $1.5 billion in E-12 Education.
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Early Learning
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When Governor Dayton took office, 0 children were enrolled in state-funded all-day Kindergarten.
In January 2011, 0 children had received scholarships through the Early Learning Scholarships Program, and 0 children had benefitted from state-supported voluntary pre-Kindergarten.
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Now, 99.6 percent of Kindergarteners (over 55,000 children) are enrolled in all-day Kindergarten.
Additionally, 25,800 children have benefitted from early learning scholarships, and over 3,300 four-year-olds are benefitting from voluntary pre-Kindergarten.
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Graduation Rate
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When Governor Dayton took office, 77.2 percent of Minnesota students were graduating from high school.
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Now, 82.2 percent of Minnesota students are graduating from high school
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Broadband Access
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When Governor Dayton took office, the State had helped 0 Greater Minnesota households, 0 businesses, and 0 community institutions gain access to high-speed internet.
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Now, with help from the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program, over 25,900 households, 3,176 businesses, and 244 community institutions in Greater Minnesota have gained access to high-speed internet.
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Minnesota’s success has been noted in national publications like the Chicago Tribune, where Eric Zorn
wrote in 2015 that Minnesota has a “budget surplus and a robust economic climate that's the envy of the state's Midwestern neighbors.” This accountable government service under Governor Dayton’s leadership has helped make Minnesota a state that works better for all Minnesotans, everywhere in our state.
Other Top Rankings
Today’s ranking from U.S. News and World Report follows other recent recognitions of Minnesota’s successes. Below, see some of Minnesota’s other top rankings from recent years.
Expanding Opportunity for All Minnesotans
Governor Mark Dayton has proposed
an Opportunity Agenda for a Better Minnesota – a two-year budget including a set of specific solutions to our state’s challenges, and a commitment to a better future for all Minnesotans. Governor Dayton’s Opportunity Agenda will improve education from preschool to career and college training, grow our economy and create good jobs, and reform government to create better opportunities for all Minnesotans, everywhere in our state. Learn more about the Opportunity Agenda
on the Governor’s website.
