A new speaking tour is highlighting the struggles of Minnesota’s young adults, and why many of them are looking to other states for a new home. On Thursday, the Center of the American Experiment hosted the latest stop of its “False Promises Tour” at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove.
“Through polling and focus groups, the False Promises tour provides a unique look at how Minnesota’s youth are feeling about today’s economy. Our goal for the presentation is to connect how they’re feeling about inflation, housing, childcare, crime, jobs and the economy to specific policies passed by the Minnesota legislature,” Center of the American Experiment’s Bill Walsh told Alpha News. “Ninety percent of young people don’t believe they will do as well as their parents, and the Minnesota legislature is to blame in many ways. The False Promises tour connects the dots between their situation and progressive policies.”
John Hinderaker, the center’s president, and economist John Phelan discussed the various factors that have dimmed the perspectives of Minnesota’s residents aged 18 to 34.
Among worrying trends, Hinderaker and Phelan highlighted the dramatic increase in the median home price in the state from $73,700 in 1990 to $350,000 in 2024. The presentation included personal testimony from young Minnesota residents describing their difficulties with finding affordable housing. Those interviewed for the presentation also discussed their concerns about high taxes, the costliness of health care and insurance, and day-to-day purchases. Phelan offered his own anecdotes about choosing to live within 10 minutes of his relatives in order to save money on childcare.
Along with fiscal concerns, young adults in Minnesota also have concerns about public safety. Hinderaker highlighted that Minnesota’s Part 1 crime rate, which includes severe crimes like murder, rape and arson, historically has been below the national average. However, in the wake of the death of George Floyd and subsequent riots, crime in Minnesota has noticeably surpassed the national crime rate, according to the presentation. The young adults featured in the presentation noted their anxiety over hearing gunshots nearby and one attesting to a friend having their air pods snatched right out of their ears.
Even education, which has long been touted as one of the state’s greatest attributes, has begun falling apart at the seams. Eighth grade reading comprehension scores have dropped to their lowest levels yet, while mathematics scores have fallen to their lowest point since 1990. In addition, Minnesota sports the second worst racial achievement gap in education in the nation, edging out Wisconsin which sits in last place.
The False Promises Tour will be stopping in cities across the state in the coming days. Future event dates include:
Saint Bonifacius
Monday, July 15, 2024
11:30 AM
The Chapel at Crown College
8700 College View Drive
Saint Bonifacius, MN 55375
Vadnais Heights
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
11:30 AM
Vadnais Heights Commons
655 County Road F East
Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
Shorewood
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
5:30 PM
Shorewood Community Center
5735 Country Club Road
Shorewood, MN 55311
Owatonna
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
11:30 AM
Torey’s Restaurant & Bar
208 N Cedar Ave
Owatonna, MN 55060
Rochester
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
5:00 PM
Rochester International Event Center
7333 Airport View Dr SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Edina
Thursday, July 18, 2024
5:00 PM
Edina Country Club
5100 Wooddale Ave
Edina, MN 55424
Alexandria
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
11:30 AM
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center
2100 Arrowwood Ln
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Sartell
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
5:00 PM
Blackberry Ridge Golf Club
3125 Clubhouse Rd
Sartell, MN 56377
Proctor
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
11:30 AM
Black Woods Grill and Bar
195 US-2
Proctor, MN 55810
Bemidji
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
5:30 PM
Hampton Inn & Suites Bemidji
1019 Paul Bunyan Dr S
Bemidji, MN 56601
Lakeville
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
5:00 PM
Brackett’s Crossing Country Club
17976 Judicial Rd
Lakeville, MN 55044
Coon Rapids
Monday, July 29, 2024
5:00 PM
Bunker Hills Golf Club
12800 Bunker Prairie Rd NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Newport
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
11:30 AM
Tinucci’s
396 21st St
Newport, MN 55055
Golden Valley
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
11:30 AM
Brookview Golf Course
316 Brookview Parkway S
Golden Valley, MN 55426
Evan Poellinger
Evan Poellinger, the Alpha News Summer 2024 Journalism Fellow, is a native Minnesotan with a lifelong passion for history and politics. He previously worked as a journalism intern with the American Spectator and an investigative journalism fellow with the Media Research Center. He is a graduate of College of the Holy Cross with degrees in political science and history.
