January 2001

Minnesota IssueWatch is an electronic newsletter published by Minnesota Planning to brief decision-makers and citizens on critical and emerging issues. IssueWatch draws from media sources to highlight issues, trends and ideas that could affect citizens and government.

Information in Minnesota IssueWatch does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Minnesota Planning or the state of Minnesota. 

Criminal justice

• Californians endorse sweeping change in state drug policy • Prisoners a valuable commodity in rural America

Economic development

• Contract farming is fast-growing business • Gene has potential to boost crop productivity worldwide

Education

• Public education wins big in nationwide ballot initiatives • Washington students show dramatic reading results

Environment

• Bacteria and plants could be tools for cleaning toxic waste • Ship ballast may pose world-wide health threat

Government administration

• E-government may threaten private companies • Maine conducting independent audits of public reserved lands to assess management