Minnesota’s Topline: A Year of Extremes
This week’s edition of The Topline highlights key data points shaping Minnesota’s recent news cycle, from record-breaking temperatures to significant shifts in state spending and healthcare access.
Record-Breaking Heat and a Snowless Winter
2024 marked the warmest year in Minnesota’s history, with the Twin Cities experiencing record-high average annual temperatures. This trend extended beyond the metro area, impacting cities such as Duluth, Fargo, and St. Cloud. Unusually mild weather at the beginning and end of the year significantly contributed to this anomaly, underscoring the accelerated warming of Minnesota winters compared to summers. The Department of Natural Resources notes that from 1970 to 2021, average daily winter low temperatures increased more than fifteen times faster than average daily summer high temperatures. The lack of snow cover across much of the state, notably absent in the southern two-thirds, even led to the postponement of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth.
State Government Spending: A Significant Rise
An analysis by John Phelan of the Center of the American Experiment reveals a substantial increase in per-capita state government spending since 1990. Inflation-adjusted figures show a rise from approximately $3,500 per person in 1990 to $6,100 in 2024—a 75% increase. Nearly half of this growth occurred since 2019. While state government’s significant investment in healthcare and education contributes to this rise—sectors often experiencing cost increases exceeding inflation due to Baumol’s cost disease—concerns remain. Conservatives have voiced alarm over alleged fraud, mismanagement, and the looming threat of a fiscal deficit after years of surplus. This sentiment appears to have resonated with voters, contributing to the DFL’s loss of trifecta control in the November elections. Conversely, many Minnesotans, including Reformer columnist Eric Harris Bernstein, view the state’s high taxes and robust social service spending as a net positive, emphasizing the reliance on public goods and services funded by tax dollars.
Abortion Data: Increased Demand and Legislative Changes
Minnesota saw a 16% increase in abortions in 2023, largely driven by a 50% surge in out-of-state patients. These patients accounted for over a quarter of the 14,000 abortions performed—the highest number in two decades. The influx of patients was particularly noticeable from Wisconsin (more than doubling), Iowa (tripling), and Nebraska (a fivefold increase). Over 92% of abortions were performed in the first trimester, with only one occurring in the third trimester. Mifepristone was used in nearly two-thirds of the procedures. It’s important to note that in 2023, the legislature repealed certain abortion reporting requirements, including data on reasons for seeking an abortion, prior abortion history, and insurance status.
Data Center Energy Consumption and Traffic Fatalities
Amazon’s proposed data center in Becker highlights the growing energy demands of the digital age. The facility’s peak daily electricity needs are projected at 600 megawatts, comparable to the Monticello nuclear plant’s output. This underscores the significant contribution of data centers to Xcel Energy’s projected power demand, anticipated to constitute roughly half of the increase over the next five years.
Finally, provisional data from the Department of Public Safety indicates a concerning rise in traffic fatalities. 2024 saw 464 deaths, a 12% increase from the 414 recorded in 2023. This rise was partly attributed to a surge in fatalities early in the year, potentially linked to the unusually warm weather. Pedestrian and motorcyclist fatalities also increased significantly.
(Note: The duplicated author and publication information at the beginning of the text has been removed in this edited version.)