According to Countryaah, Minnesota is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the country. Saint Paul is the capital city of Minnesota and offers attractions such as The Cathedral of Saint Paul and The Minnesota State Capitol. Minneapolis is a vibrant city with plenty of cultural attractions including The Walker Art Center and The Minneapolis Institute of Art. Other popular cities in Minnesota include Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, St. Cloud, Moorhead, and Mankato. Each of these cities has something special to offer from outdoor activities like fishing or hiking to historical sites like Split Rock Lighthouse or Fort Snelling State Park.
Politics of Minnesota in 2013
In 2013, Minnesota politics were in a state of flux. After eight years of Democratic control, the Minnesota House of Representatives flipped to Republican control in the 2012 election. This marked the first time since 1972 that the Republicans had held a majority in both houses of the Minnesota legislature. The Republican Party was enthusiastic about their newfound majority and quickly began pushing an agenda focused on reducing government spending, cutting taxes, and implementing tougher regulations on businesses.
At the same time, Democrats pushed back against these measures with their own agenda of increasing public investments in education and infrastructure while also protecting social programs such as Medicaid and SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). This divide between the two parties became apparent during Governor Mark Dayton’s first term when he proposed a $2 billion tax hike to fund his budget proposal; Republicans fiercely opposed this measure while Democrats argued it was necessary for investing in education and infrastructure.
In 2013, Governor Dayton also signed into law a marriage equality bill which allowed same-sex couples to legally marry in Minnesota. This marked a major milestone for LGBT rights activists who had been fighting for marriage equality for years. The bill was met with opposition from some Republicans who argued it violated traditional values; however, it ultimately passed with bipartisan support from both sides of the aisle.
The 2013 legislative session was also notable for its focus on gun control measures following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut which occurred just months before. In response to this tragedy, Governor Dayton proposed several gun control bills which included universal background checks, limits on magazine capacity, and an assault weapons ban; However, these bills failed to pass due to strong opposition from Republicans who argued they would infringe upon Second Amendment rights.
Overall, 2013 was a tumultuous year in Minnesota politics as both parties clashed over issues such as taxation, gun control measures, and LGBT rights. Despite their differences however, both sides were able to come together on some issues such as passing a transportation bill that increased funding for road maintenance projects throughout the state as well as creating new jobs through public-private partnerships. Ultimately this bipartisan cooperation set the stage for future progress during Governor Dayton’s second term which began in 2015.
Population of Minnesota in 2013
In 2013, Minnesota had a population of approximately 5.4 million people. The majority of the state’s population was concentrated in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Twin Cities metropolitan area is home to over 3 million people, making it the 16th largest metro area in the United States. Check ehuacom for more information about the capital city of Minnesota.
Demographically speaking, Minnesota is a very diverse state. While whites are still the largest racial group in Minnesota (comprising 83% of the population), other ethnic groups such as African-Americans (5%), Hispanics (4%), Asian-Americans (3%), and Native Americans (1%) also make up significant portions of the population. Additionally, there are large numbers of immigrants from all over the world living in Minnesota, with Somali being one of the largest immigrant populations in the state.
In terms of religion, Minnesota is mainly comprised of Christians (77%), with Protestant denominations making up most of that total. Other religious groups such as Jews (2%) and Muslims (1%) also make up small but significant portions of Minnesota’s population.
Education wise, Minnesota ranks highly compared to other states in terms of educational attainment among its residents; 87% have at least a high school diploma and 33% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, over half (55%) have some college experience but did not earn a degree; this suggests that many Minnesotans are taking advantage of educational opportunities throughout their lives even if they do not complete a degree program. Check anycountyprivateschools for business education in Minnesota.
Overall, Minnesota is a diverse state with many different racial and religious backgrounds represented among its residents; However, it is predominantly white and Christian Overall, with high levels of educational attainment among its citizens. This diversity allows for an interesting mix of cultural influences which can be seen throughout various aspects of life such as art, music, cuisine, etc., making it an exciting place to live for those looking for an eclectic mix within their communities.
Economy of Minnesota in 2013
The economy of Minnesota in 2013 was quite strong. The state had a GDP of $277 billion, making it the 16th largest economy in the country. The unemployment rate was 5.6%, which was slightly above the national average of 7%. It had one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation, at $50,000.
The primary industries driving Minnesota’s economy were agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Agriculture accounted for over 11% of the state’s economic output in 2013 and employed around 280,000 people. This sector is heavily dependent on commodity prices and weather conditions, so it can be volatile from year to year. Manufacturing also provided a significant number of jobs; this sector accounted for almost 15% of economic output and employed over 300,000 people in 2013. Services accounted for a majority (71%) of economic output and employed 1 million people that year. This sector includes finance, health care, retail trade, professional services such as accounting or legal services, real estate activities, transportation services, and hospitality services such as restaurants or hotels.
The Twin Cities metropolitan area is home to many Fortune 500 companies such as Target Corporation and 3M Company; these companies are major drivers of the regional economy. Additionally, there are several large medical device manufacturers located in Minnesota including Medtronic Inc., St Jude Medical Inc., and Boston Scientific Corp.; these firms employ thousands of people in the state.
In terms of public infrastructure investments made by Minnesota during this period include expanding light rail transit options throughout Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area (METRO Green Line), constructing new highways (I-35W bridge replacement), improving existing highways (I-94 reconstruction), investing in renewable energy sources (wind energy projects), building new stadiums (Target Field), enhancing recreational opportunities (Minnesota Zoo expansion), increasing access to high speed internet access (Broadband Investment Program), expanding educational opportunities (University Research Corridor Initiative), improving public safety measures (Secure Communities Initiative).
Overall, Minnesota’s economy was performing well compared to other states during this period; However, there were still some issues that needed addressing such as increasing labor force participation rates among minorities and increasing wages for low-income workers. Additionally, there were concerns about how rising healthcare costs would affect businesses operating within the state going forward. Despite these issues Overall, it was still an optimistic time for Minnesota’s economy with many businesses investing in their operations within the state.
Events Held in Minnesota in 2013
In 2013, Minnesota was alive with a plethora of events and activities. From music festivals to sporting events, there was something for everyone to enjoy. In June, the Twin Cities hosted the 10th Annual Rock the Garden Music Festival at Walker Art Center. This two-day event featured an eclectic mix of indie rock, soul, folk and pop music from both local and nationally-recognized artists. The festival was a great way for Minnesotans to celebrate music while also enjoying art and food from around the state.
In July, the Minneapolis Aquatennial took place along the Mississippi riverfront in downtown Minneapolis. This annual event included a variety of activities such as a 5K race, concerts, fireworks display and family activities like face painting and sandcastle building competitions. This event was a great way for Minnesotans to enjoy summertime activities while also celebrating their city’s rich history.
The Minnesota State Fair ran from August 22nd until September 2nd in 2013. During this time over 1 million people attended this annual event which featured live entertainment, rides, food vendors from all over Minnesota as well as educational exhibits about local agriculture and culture. The Grandstand showcased some of the biggest names in entertainment including Justin Timberlake and Alabama Shakes while smaller stages highlighted local talent throughout the fairgrounds.
For sports fans there were plenty of professional teams playing throughout 2013 as well including Major League Baseball’s Minnesota Twins who played at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis during the summer months; the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings who had their home games at Mall of America Field; and National Basketball Association’s Minnesota Timberwolves who played their home games at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis throughout winter months.