Dane Smith

Dane Smith

President Emeritus, Retirement Revised
Chapter Member: Minneapolis-St. Paul SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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About Dane

Smith's research and writing has focused on Minnesota public policy issues and advocacy for reducing racial and economic inequality. The overarching theme in Smith's projects and op-eds centers on the value of public investments in education; economic security and physical infrastructure in equalizing opportunity and outcomes. Smith is retired from Growth & Justice but as President Emeritus and Senior Policy Fellow; he remains involved in research and advocacy aimed at social justice and economic growth. Recent activities include co-editing The Minnesota Equity Blueprint; a comprehensive guidebook for erasing socio-economic disparity

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Education Improves When Communities Come Together to Help All Students

Key Findings Brief,

In the News

Opinion: "At Rural-Urban Convening, a First Step Toward a New ‘One Minnesota Equity Blueprint’," Dane Smith, Minneapolis Post, July 6, 2018.
Research discussed by Peter Callaghan, in "Why Do Candidates for Governor in Minnesota Make Such a Big Deal About Naming a Running Mate?," MinnPost, June 1, 2018.
Quoted by Gregg Aamot in "Minnesota's Rural Interests Look to Build on Recent Gains at the Legislature," Voice of Alexandria, January 31, 2018.
Quoted by Gregg Aamot in "Minnesota's Rural Interests Look to Build on Recent Gains at the Legislature," MinnPost, January 30, 2018.
Opinion: "Minnesota Leads the Nation in Progress toward Tax Fairness," Dane Smith (with Jeff Van Wychen ), Minnesota Post, April 2, 2015.
Opinion: "Minnesota Leads the Nation in Progress toward Tax Fairness," Dane Smith (with Dane Smith), Minnesota Post, April 2, 2015.
Opinion: "Fixing Minnesota's Employment Gap," Dane Smith, Star Tribune, June 15, 2013.
Opinion: "Giving Our Public Schools Their Due," Dane Smith, Star Tribune, December 9, 2012.
Opinion: "You're Entitled: That's the American Way," Dane Smith, Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities, May 6, 2012.
Opinion: "On Higher Ed, Stick to the Plan," Dane Smith (with Kent Pekel), Star Tribune, December 14, 2011.

Publications

"Inseparable Imperatives: Workforce Equity for a Competitive Economy," (with Kira Dahlk, Luke Weisberg, and Maureen Ramirez),

Preview and overview of series of "Workforce Equity'' policy briefs showing how Minnesota can reduce racial inequities in job market

, Growth & Justice, Spring 2013.

This paper, Inspeparable Imperatives, is the first in a series of four designed to help Minnesota policy-makers reduce racial inequality in employment, which poses a threat to the state's long-term competitiveness. Charts and data showing the severity of the unemployment gap in the Twin Cities, workforce demand and racial composition of qualified workers in specific sectors. Spotlight boxes show targets of opportunity, such as the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, and promising new efforts, such as the "M-Powered'' program.

"Whole Towns Coming Together for All Students," December 31, 2011.

Describes progress being made through community engagement initiatives toward improving student success and closing achievement and attainment gaps in an increasingly diverse Greater Minnesota. Highlights some promising specific efforts happening across the state in rural towns and cities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

"Professor Wellstone Goes to Washington: The Inside Story of a Grassroots Senate Campaign " (with Dennis McGrath) (University of Minnesota Press, 2003).

Tells the story of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone’s populist progressive campaign in 1990 and his stunning upset victory over incumbent Republican Rudy Boschwitz in 1990.