Every week, Alliance for a Better Minnesota will highlight the important work being done in the progressive community. Focusing on issues that impact Minnesotans’ lives, this important work helps Minnesota continue moving forward.

MN Unemployment Rate: Earlier this week, Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released the most current jobs report, and it showed that our unemployment rate is at its lowest in eight years at 4.1 percent. In September, Minnesota added over 7,200 jobs.

St. Paul Wants Paid Maternity Leave: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and the City Council proposed paid maternity leave for city workers this week. Although it’s still in its preliminary stages, the proposed policy would allow mothers who are city employees four weeks of paid time off, and spouses who are city employees two weeks of paid time off.

Former Critic Praises Obama: Paul Krugman, an award-winning economist and writer, wrote an article for Rolling Stone this week defending President Barack Obama’s run in the White House. Krugman, who has gained a reputation for being skeptical of President Obama’s success, writes that he now feels President Obama is one of the most successful presidents in American history.