On the first Saturday of this month, I got up early to clear my driveway of the 8 inches of wet snow that fell overnight. A road crew or two had already been by, and the pile they had pushed to the end of my driveway was large and heavy. Initially, I was annoyed, but …
Saint Paul STRONG Media Alert After observing the first two meetings of Mayor Carter’s 41-member Rent Stabilization Stakeholders Group, Saint Paul STRONG (SPS) is concerned that it will neither be effective in (1) involving the public in this important discussion, nor (2) coming up with recommendations for the City Council and the Mayor on how …
Questions surround Mayor’s Rent Stabilization panel Read More »
Saint Paul has allowed its property tax base to gradually erode over the years. The tax base is and always has been what pays for public safety, schools, libraries, parks and recreation, streets and now affordable housing in the city. It also pays off our public debt. For decades, the city has been increasing spending—mostly …
Plans to clean up Pig’s Eye Lake may be well meaning, but were drawn up without public consultation.
Leadership requires tough conversations and sometimes taking unpopular votes such as when the City Council voted 4-3 in early February to explore a possible 1% sales tax increase. The money generated from this increase might be earmarked to pay for roads, housing, and pre-K programs. This is a tough sell for many, in great part …
Saint Paul City Council Shows Leadership with 4-3 Vote to Explore Sales Tax Increase Read More »
This article was first published in the Pioneer Press on December 1, 2019. The published version of this article and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) Late last month, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter proposed a supplemental budget in addition to the one he proposed in August, …
In St. Paul, taxes rise and rise and rise. Can we talk more about this? Read More »
The U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program in Minnesota recently had a group of six visitors from around the world that were interested in speaking with Saint Paul Strong to learn more about the development of the organization and how Saint Paul STRONG supports nonpartisan community organizing and an open and representative government. Members …
This letter was first published in the Pioneer Press on October 31st, 2019. Spooky. The published version of this letter and reader comments are available on the Pioneer Press’s website. View on TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) We couldn’t agree more that candidates need to “listen, explain and engage” with the residents, as Tane Danger wrote on …
Letters to the Editor: Why single out that candidate? Read More »
As mayor plans to honor garbage contracts despite vote, money would be better pointed to housing, potholes and reducing violence.
