Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Zach Courtney

Zach Courtney, Columnist

Zach graduated in May of 2022 from the University of Minnesota with a BA in political science. Since then, he has been enrolled in the University’s masters of education/initial licensure program in social studies education. Since he joined the opinions desk in January 2021, he has focused his columns on politics. Some of his favorite things to do are play music—he was a three-year member of the Pride of Minnesota—and play, coach or watch soccer.

All content by Zach Courtney
If a progressive has support in the 2024 democratic primary, they may be able to push Biden more to the left, even if they dont win the primary.

Courtney: The case for Marianne Williamson

by Zach Courtney
Published April 20, 2023
The progressive alternative to President Joe Biden is worth a serious look.
The U.S. Supreme Court building on Oct. 29, 2022 in Washington D.C.

Courtney: The Supreme Court is broken. Can we fix it?

by Zach Courtney
Published April 3, 2023
I don’t know. But I have some ideas to try.
Courtney: We need to fully fund our schools

Courtney: We need to fully fund our schools

by Zach Courtney
Published March 1, 2023
Superintendent of Forest Lake Area Schools Steve Massey discusses the state of school funding.
Courtney: How can we help ease the shortage of sports officials

Courtney: How can we help ease the shortage of sports officials

by Zach Courtney
Published February 24, 2023
The answer starts with being nicer to officials.
Courtney: A look into the issue of underpaid prison labor

Courtney: A look into the issue of underpaid prison labor

by Zach Courtney
Published February 16, 2023
Prison inmates are humans too.
Courtney: Should we let our children play tackle football?

Courtney: Should we let our children play tackle football?

by Zach Courtney
Published February 9, 2023
This question doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
The 2023 session is scheduled to end on May 22.

Courtney: So, where are the deficits?

by Zach Courtney
Published February 3, 2023
The DFL-led Minnesota Legislature has a $17.6 billion surplus to work with. Here’s how it should be spent.
Courtney: The myth of moderacy

Courtney: The myth of moderacy

by Zach Courtney
Published January 26, 2023
Are my politics truly extreme?
Courtney: Thanks, Bill

Courtney: Thanks, Bill

by Zach Courtney
Published August 5, 2022
In response to today’s economy and crime, we should be thanking former President Bill Clinton, not Obama, Trump or Biden.
Courtney: We need to create a pro-children country in a post-Roe reality

Courtney: We need to create a pro-children country in a post-Roe reality

by Zach Courtney
Published August 5, 2022
Featuring a conversation with First Focus on Children’s President, Bruce Lesley.
Courtney: Rick Scott said the quiet part out loud. We should listen.

Courtney: Rick Scott said the quiet part out loud. We should listen.

by Zach Courtney
Published July 19, 2022
The Republican senator from Florida accidentally said what he (and much of the GOP) believes. Will it hurt their electoral chances this fall?
Courtney: I read the Dobbs decision so you don’t need to

Courtney: I read the Dobbs decision so you don’t need to

by Zach Courtney
Published July 8, 2022

The words that came across my Twitter feed two weeks ago still make me quiver: “Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate...

Courtney: What statistics best show the economys health?

Courtney: What statistics best show the economy’s health?

by Zach Courtney
Published June 23, 2022
No matter where you fall politically, you have stats to prove the economy is doing well or poorly.
Courtney: The war on journalism

Courtney: The war on journalism

by Zach Courtney
Published June 18, 2022
The Fourth Estate is crucial to our democracy. We need to do more to ensure it prevails.
The Democrats need to look themselves in the mirror.

The Democrats need to look themselves in the mirror.

by Zach Courtney
Published April 21, 2022
The Democrats appear likely to lose in the midterms. But why?
Courtney: What happened to health care?

Courtney: What happened to health care?

by Zach Courtney
Published April 11, 2022
A main topic of the 2020 Democratic primaries–health care– seems to have vanished from the public discourse in Washington. Why might this be?
Courtney: The case for democracy

Courtney: The case for democracy

by Zach Courtney
Published March 29, 2022
How we can build a democracy before we lose our democracy.
Courtney: Child poverty soaring under Biden and the Democrats

Courtney: Child poverty soaring under Biden and the Democrats

by Zach Courtney
Published February 20, 2022
As Biden and the Democrats allow the Child Tax Credit expansion to lapse, millions of children have fallen back into poverty
Courtney: We should pay our politicians more.

Courtney: We should pay our politicians more.

by Zach Courtney
Published February 10, 2022
A few small changes to our politicians’ incentives would ensure they work for us all, not just the wealthy.
Courtney: Biden’s first year in review, and a creative look ahead to year two

Courtney: Biden’s first year in review, and a creative look ahead to year two

by Zach Courtney
Published February 8, 2022
Where Biden succeeded, where he failed and what to do before the midterms.
Courtney: Why are our memories so bad?

Courtney: Why are our memories so bad?

by Zach Courtney
Published January 27, 2022
Over the last few weeks, American politics has driven me nuts. I’ll touch on just a few examples of a specific pet peeve I have.
The Daily Discourse with Zach and Matt : Episode 6

The Daily Discourse with Zach and Matt : Episode 6

by Zach Courtney and Matthew Doty
Published November 15, 2021

Zach Courtney: Hello, and welcome to another edition of the Daily Discourse with Zach and Matt. I'm Zach. Matt Doty: And I’m Matt. Zach: We have a great show prepared for you all today and...

Courtney: An unlearned lesson from the pandemic

Courtney: An unlearned lesson from the pandemic

by Zach Courtney
Published October 28, 2021
Why are we so quick to run away from Zoom?
Courtney: The case against means testing

Courtney: The case against means testing

by Zach Courtney
Published October 14, 2021
Why politicians and voters alike need to resist the urge to means test.
Courtney: Quit playing games

Courtney: Quit playing games

by Zach Courtney
Published October 6, 2021
A look into the debt ceiling crisis.
The Daily Discourse : Episode 3

The Daily Discourse : Episode 3

by Matthew Doty and Zach Courtney
Published October 4, 2021

   Zach Courtney: Hello, and welcome to the first episode this fall of The Daily Discourse with Zach and Matt. I am one of your hosts, Zach Courtney, and... Matt Doty: I am your other...

Courtney: The clock is ticking

Courtney: The clock is ticking

by Zach Courtney
Published September 28, 2021
Will the Democrats meet the moment?
Courtney: My thoughts on abortion

Courtney: My thoughts on abortion

by Zach Courtney
Published September 17, 2021
A look at Texas’ new anti-abortion law and what it really means to be pro-life.
Courtney: A republic, if we can keep it

Courtney: A republic, if we can keep it

by Zach Courtney
Published July 7, 2021
A look at our democracy and what we need to do to strengthen it.
Courtney: What I really want for my birthday

Courtney: What I really want for my birthday

by Zach Courtney
Published June 20, 2021
Marijuana should be legal, and the war on drugs should end.
Courtney: My take on the pandemic

Courtney: My take on the pandemic

by Zach Courtney
Published April 30, 2021
We need to do more to ensure truth prevails.
Courtney: We need to change our priorities

Courtney: We need to change our priorities

by Zach Courtney
Published April 24, 2021
I am cautiously optimistic that President Biden’s skinny budget is the beginning of that change.
Courtney: The filibuster or progress. Pick one.

Courtney: The filibuster or progress. Pick one.

by Zach Courtney
Published April 3, 2021
The progress of Biden and the Democrats hinges on the removal of the filibuster.
Courtney: Let’s talk about the Chauvin trial

Courtney: Let’s talk about the Chauvin trial

by Zach Courtney
Published March 27, 2021
Yes, even in high schools.
Courtney: Switch your clocks this weekend, but let’s make this the last time

Courtney: Switch your clocks this weekend, but let’s make this the last time

by Zach Courtney
Published March 12, 2021
Turning our clocks forwards and backward every year is not just annoying and inconvenient, it has some negative effects, too.
Courtney: Senator Romney and Mayor Carter have it right. Just give people money.

Courtney: Senator Romney and Mayor Carter have it right. Just give people money.

by Zach Courtney
Published March 6, 2021
Universal basic income-like policies have shown to be an unlikely bipartisan solution to curb poverty.
Courtney: Tucker, Trump and Co. are lying and ripping us apart

Courtney: Tucker, Trump and Co. are lying and ripping us apart

by Zach Courtney
Published February 27, 2021
They’re making money while doing it, too.
Courtney: Our politicians need more guts

Courtney: Our politicians need more guts

by Zach Courtney
Published February 19, 2021
Trump’s acquittal in the Senate is part of a long list of events showing that our politicians need more guts.
Courtney: Not all Trump supporters are bad

Courtney: Not all Trump supporters are bad

by Zach Courtney
Published February 12, 2021
It shouldn’t be revolutionary to think that 74 million Americans aren’t awful.
Courtney: Ranked-choice voting would help heal our political divide

Courtney: Ranked-choice voting would help heal our political divide

by Zach Courtney
Published February 5, 2021
Biden talks a lot about healing the soul of the nation. RCV is a logical first step.
Courtney: Biden needs to be FDR, not Clinton or Obama

Courtney: Biden needs to be FDR, not Clinton or Obama

by Zach Courtney
Published January 31, 2021
Now that Joe Biden has assumed office, it’s all back to normal, right? Wrong.

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