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On Thursday, I joined some of my Council colleagues as well as drivers and state leaders to celebrate the passage of the historic Minnesota statewide rideshare policy that gives drivers at least a 20% raise, and the strongest worker protections for drivers in the country.
We reflected on the eighteen months of Council legislative efforts that pushed forward the statewide policy victory. You can read more about what passed in the joint statement I and my co-authors released earlier this week.
This victory was only possible because drivers and their socialist and progressive allies on the Council and in the state were not deterred by corporate lobbyists and repeated vetoes. We persevered and passed a strong ordinance this March that set the terms for the state policy.
Throughout this policy fight, Uber and Lyft used the same bullying and scare tactics that have allowed them to block worker protections in cities and states around the country. These two profit-hungry tech companies have successfully pressured many elected officials to allow them to continue their exploitative labor practices. And here in Minnesota, some Council Members, legislators, and executive leaders were pressured into prioritizing Uber and Lyft’s profits over minimum wages for a majority Black and immigrant workforce. An example of this was Governor Walz decision to champion Uber and Lyft’s demand for preemption. Preemption is inherently anti-worker and will be weaponized to dissuade unions and community organization, and even cities from championing crucial worker protections on the local level. Governor Walz’s decision to side with corporations over workers will scar his legacy on workers rights.
But while some elected officials caved, the majority of us stood strong with the working class residents who actually make this city and state run. And because a majority of my colleagues held strong, and did not succumb to corporate pressure and bullying, drivers have won this statewide victory.
The Minneapolis ordinance and its reverberating impacts represents an existential threat to all corporations who think that they are above the law, and who are used to being able to bully elected officials into letting them exploit workers.
Minnesota drivers’ victory is part of a history of working class people of color refusing to settle for the unjust status quo. These aren’t easy fights to win, but they’re not impossible. Drivers won, despite corporate money and corporate pressure. And, I hope that other cities and workers from across the country can take our local victory here and be encouraged to continue this growing fight to challenge exploitative companies like Uber and Lyft to deliver fair wages and other necessary protections for rideshare drivers.
Key votes: City Council voted unanimously to Recall and Return to Author the rideshare ordinances, which are now preempted. Recall and Return to Author are dispositive motions that “kills” the local policy.
I and Council Member Jeremiah Ellison gave Notice of Intent to Introduce an ordinance for tenant relocation assistance. The city’s Policy and Research Division recently published a report on Eviction Prevention and Anti-Displacement policies around the country. In this report, it included a comparison of Minneapolis’ tenant relocation assistance with cities like Portland and Seattle. The key difference between our programs is that Minneapolis has a very narrow scope and does not provide support for displacement due to economic factors. Options in the report included expanding additional triggers that would make renters eligible for relocation assistance. I am eager to explore what that expansion could look like to ensure we have policies to protect renters who are still facing huge rent increases in our city because of the lack of protections. I intend to use this thorough report as a guiding blueprint for legislative actions.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Council Member Chavez gave Notice of Intent to Introduce an ordinance adding additional protected classes to the Minneapolis civil rights ordinances. I asked to join him as a co-author in order to contribute to helping align this code to the realities and needs of our communities, and use our legislative tools to help stop discrimination and protect all residents.
Key votes: Council votes unanimously to introduce and refer the ordinance to the Public Health and Safety (PHS) Committee.
Council is working to identify our top budget priorities for 2025. The Council received an update on the city’s budget outlook for 2025, which is quite bleak due primarily to reduced downtown property tax revenue and the accumulated costs MPD misconduct settlements, costs related to the consent decrees, and workers compensation settlements. As a result, residents should expect to see at minimum a 10 percent increase in their property taxes. Council will need to use our full budgetary and oversight authority to ensure that all departments are using their budgets effectively, that each of our programs is a good return on the investment, and that we are making financially responsible choices with ongoing and new spending.
Council Members each submitted individual budget priorities to the Budget Committee leadership, Chair Chughtai and Vice Chair Koski. I also met with the Mayor to discuss the financial outlook for the city and present my priorities.
My top five budget priorities for 2025 are:
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Permanent housing for unhoused residents in partnership with other governmental agencies- approximately $1.6 million ongoing. Homelessness is a crisis and is disproportionately hurting Black, brown, and indigenous residents. I am working with other critical stakeholders to fund more permanent housing with wraparound social services for chronically unhoused residents.
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Traffic Calming - Exact amount TBD dependent on the outcomes of a legislative directive being presented to Council in July. Traffic calming is a high priority for residents across the city for safer neighborhoods. There are over 700 backlogged traffic calming projects. Staff originally projected $10,000-$15,000 per project, but updated estimates are needed and are critical to our public safety ecosystem. In July, staff will present a proposal to complete all the projects in the backlog.
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Fully fund 2025 elections and mobile voting vans - $2.5 million one-time. Minneapolis continues to have some of the best voter turnout in the country. Our Elections Services Department has presented their budgetary needs to protect and expand voter access in the 2025 municipal elections. Mobile voting vans are particularly important for populations like students, renters, and first-time voters.
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Dinky After Dark - $350,000 one-time. To improve public safety in Dinkytown, the Ward 2 Office is working with University community stakeholders on an activation modeled after Warehouse District Live called Dinky After Dark. Warehouse District Live has been credited with helping dramatically reduce late-night gun violence in crucial entertainment corridors of downtown, including an 80% decrease in gun shots and a 30% decrease in crime overall in the half-mile surrounding the area during event hours.
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Legislative Department subject matter specialists experts - estimated $1.4 million ongoing. As we continue to implement the legislative Council/executive mayor government structure, we need to fully invest in the Council’s policy making resources. Having subject matter experts to support policy and research for each committee would be incredibly valuable for Council to use our full authority and produce outcomes on timelines that working class communities need. This year has also demonstrated the need for a strong Oversight and Evaluation Division to ensure taxpayer funds are being used efficiently and effectively. I look forward to accelerating the legislative department's full functionality to ensure we are an effective check and balance on the administration, especially as it relates to programs and services that residents in our communities count on.
There are many more steps in the budget process before any votes are taken. The Mayor will propose his budget by August 15th.
Key votes: No votes taken.
The Mayor’s administration is hosting community engagement around the Mayor’s proposal to convert the former 3rd Precinct building into an Election and Voter Services Center.
There will be an Open House to learn more about the proposal and to provide input. Come any time during the hours of 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be information and opportunities to provide input.
Minnehaha 3000: A Future Democracy Center and Community Space
- Monday, June 10th, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 PM
- Location: Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
To learn more, visit the following webpages.
Visit the Minnehaha 3000 webpage
Sign up for Minnehaha 3000 updates
The Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) hosted a public hearing on MPD’s policies and practices. Despite heavy rain and flood warnings, it was a full house with dozens of residents testifying.
Throughout the public hearing, residents raised a number of concerns regarding the CCPO’s lack of public engagement and transparency. Testifiers articulated demands for the CCPO to hold many more public hearings and community events outside of the one public hearing they are mandated to hold each year. Others articulated a desire to see public comments be moved to the top of the CCPO meeting agendas as opposed to the end, similar to how other councils and commissions do it. Testifiers also raised concerns around the private work group meetings that the commission holds. Some residents expressed that they would like for work group meetings to be televised and for those meeting minutes to be made public similar to how the general CCPO operates. Another key concern raised by testifiers was regarding the utility of the CCPO, since the commission can only make reform-based. Testifiers also raised concerns about the composition of the CCPO. A number of residents who had either experienced and/or lost someone to police violence highlighted that they would like to see victims be part of the commission.
In addition to being able to observe the resident's reception of CCPO, the public hearing afforded me the opportunity to meet with Ward 2’s CCPO Commissioner. We will be connecting to explore ways my office can uplift the work that they are leading on the commission within Ward 2.
Key votes: No votes taken
After a busy weekend, the 2024 Legislative Session has now adjourned for the year. The city’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) staff will present to the IGR Committee on June 4. Many thanks to IGR staff for their incredible work, late nights, and perseverance this session and to all the City staff who support this work. Below is a high-level overview of some key outcomes.
Omnibus Bill
Many City priorities were included in the large omnibus bill that passed both the House and Senate last night. The bill now goes to the Governor.
Some highlights of City priorities in the bill:
- Comprehensive Plan Clarification: including clarification that current comp plans in Cities of the First Class are not subject to MERA
- Authority to create pedestrian malls
- Pilot for speed and red-light cameras
- Bus Rapid Transit scoping agreement with Hennepin County
- Emergency shelter funding
- TNC Bill setting statewide minimum wage; preempts local governments from establishing a minimum wage for TNC drivers
Other City priorities not included in the omnibus bill but passed earlier in the weekend include:
- Renter Protections
- Extended Producer Responsibility
- Copper wire theft bill
- Cannabis regulation updates
Some City priorities that did not pass:
- Repeal of prohibition on municipal bag ban law
- Expansion of downtown taxing district to include North Loop
- Commercial to residential conversion tax credit and TIF
- Statewide source of income protection
Bonding Bill
The Legislature was not able to come to agreement on a GO Bonding bill, which requires bipartisan support. The House and Senate released draft bonding proposals that included funding for the Nicollet Avenue Bridge and ADA pedestrian and sidewalk improvements, but these proposals were not ultimately adopted.
The House passed a cash bill for capital projects late last night that included the additional $5.7 million for the Roof Depot agreement from last session, but this bill did not pass in the Senate because they ran out of time. The staff team that has been working on the Roof Depot agreement will be meeting this week to discuss next steps.
Bring ya a** downtown TONIGHT to celebrate and cheer on our Minnesota Timberwolves at the Wolves Back Block Party! Event will feature pre-game entertainment, food and drink, and a large screen to watch the game. Event tickets are free but required for entry. Thank you to our amazing Public Works crews who worked overnight to paint the street, touch up crosswalks, and install temporary street signage around the arena to support the team.
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When: Friday, May 24th | 4pm - End of Game
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Where: The corner of 1st Ave and 6th St across from Target Center
Cost: FREE - Secure your tickets here.
I stood with AFSCME 668 members demanding a fair contract from the Met Council. Met Council cannot balance their budget on the backs of labor. AFSCME workers make our public sector run!
I attended a listening session by Minneapolis Public Schools Families for Investments, Not Cuts. The event was organized along with TakeAction, COPAL, New Justice Project. It was incredibly helpful to bring together families and community partners to talk about how we can support our public schools, reverse enrollment decline, support access to high quality and affordable childcare, and have equitable education for all families. I look forward to continued collaboration with these partners and many more to address these critical issues.
The Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services is gearing up for a Renter Rights Resource Fair June 4. Together with HOME Line, Legal Aid, Urban League Twin Cities, Arrive Ministries and others, City staff will help community members with:
- Overcoming maintenance issues.
- Renter rights.
- Understanding property owner/tenant responsibilities.
- Housing resources for immigrants and refugees.
- Environmental hazards in homes.
- Providing critical resources.
You can drop in any time during the event or join us at 12:30 p.m. for a presentation from HOME Line about new state laws. A free meal and interpretation services will be provided.
2024 Renter Rights Resource Fair 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., first floor
Share the event with a neighbor and stay up to date by visiting the Facebook event.
Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced our second quarterly Expungement Clinic.
The Expungement Clinic will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 10:00AM – 6:00PM at Sabathani Community Center (310 E. 38th Street) in South Minneapolis.
For the first time ever, this expungement clinic will feature a “Pre-Registration” option. Due to high demand at our last clinic, this tool was created to reduce wait times and allow those who pre-register a chance see an attorney immediately, as soon as they arrive for their reserved time. Walk-ins will still be available!
Pre-Registration link here.
Join artists Constanza Caraballo and Marco Aguero in painting two new asphalt murals. Community members are invited to help paint murals designed with students from South High School and Folwell Community School.
The murals are being installed on the South-Folwell Safe Route to School along 21st Avenue at 31st and 35th streets. All are welcome to volunteer and paint.
Painting event, South High School 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30 21st Avenue and 31st Street
Painting event, Folwell Community School 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 21st Avenue at 35th Street
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: ward2@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
250 South 4th St.
Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay wac 311. |
