Advocacy News, August 27, 2026

POLICY, PIGLETS & PRONTO PUPS (THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER)

Hello, hello!

It's that time of year again when all roads lead to Falcon Heights. While this isn't a comprehensive State Fair Primer (I've only attended 3 times during my MN residency), here are a few foods and exhibits I'm looking forward to over the next 12 days aka, my one trip to the Fair.

First and foremost, I was excited to see my favorite London-born Scottish crooner and Celtic FC superfan, Rod Stewart. Unfortunately, medical reasons forced him to cancel a few stateside shows. Wishing you a speedy recovery Sir Rod Stewart (I'm told he's an avid reader of this newsletter).

On the food front, you'll be hard-pressed to convince me to deviate from my usual State Fair menu: Mouth Trap cheese curds, a Midway Men's Club burger, and the ubiquitous Pronto Pup. Some traditions are simply too good to abandon. Besides, the Pronto Pup gets bonus points because the hot dogs are made by Bakalars Sausage Company in my hometown of La Crosse, Wisconsin. A proud son of Wisconsin doesn't stray far.

When it comes to beverages, my imbibing days are long past me so I'm always on the hunt for NA alternatives. Again this year, you can find me at Urban Growler's fairground offering, Urban Glow Mocktails. Jill Pavlak, Deb Loch, and the team craft top-tier beverages for the thirsty abstaining fairgoer. I'm again looking forward to a Grilled Peach No Fashioned and one of the Orchard Mule varietals.

Exhibit-wise, seed art and butter sculptures, the legislative and governmental booths in the Education Building, and the litany of ag-related buildings are a must see -- Mrs. Perlich enjoys seeing all the baby animals, especially the piglets. Reddit (via my wife) has also made me aware of the llama costume contest and the Minnesota Newspaper Museum exhibit. The always trusty internet even says they'll print you a First Amendment poster. A hearty "bully" for the Fourth Estate.

Moving from the two Ps in this week's headline to the lead P—policy—I wanted to revisit the pending "right to repair" ballot initiative. In the last edition, I covered how we arrived at this referendum. Rather than wade back into the mechanics, let's zoom out to the 30,000-foot view.

There's a shift underway in Saint Paul that's worth noticing. Cranes are back on the skyline. Vacant storefronts are welcoming new businesses. Long-stalled projects are finally breaking ground. This isn't wishful thinking or ribbon-cutting rhetoric—it's real momentum, and it's the kind of momentum that strengthens a city's foundation for the long haul.

Mayor Kaohly Her put it well in her recent budget address: Saint Paul won't solve its fiscal challenges by shrinking; it must grow. We couldn't agree more. The question before us is whether our policies encourage that growth or get in its way. We've been down this road before. As we said repeatedly during the rent control debate, Saint Paul doesn't need another policy that polls well, campaigns well, and fits neatly on a yard sign, only to make it harder to invest, build, and expand the city's tax base once the votes are counted.

Ongoing shameless plug: Visit (early and often) the East Metro Voter Guide to learn more about candidates for office in the, you guessed it, the East Metro.

Until next time.

—JP

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Some of the in-office Chamber team took a stroll over the lunch hour to Rice Park: Lunch on the Lawn. I can assure you that Casanova Rice and Shawarma serves the best rice since the US Bank Skyway gyro place closed years ago. Be sure to check out Lunch on the Lawn through September 30th.

While Mayor Her and Council President Noecker took questions from our Downtown Restaurant and Retail Roundtable group, Assistant Mayor Stumo-Langer and I talked a little shop, but more importantly, focused on our shared preference for New Balance sneakers.

IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS

Empty seats plague citizen committees making major budget decisions in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Billion-dollar aerospace testing facility breaks ground in Dakota County.
Community prosecutor named for downtown St. Paul.
Foundation dedicates $15M to downtown St. Paul. Here’s where it will go.
Ten candidates file for two seats on Woodbury City Council.
City of St. Paul looks to eliminate 90-day youth training wage.
Seniors urge Met Council to scrap Bronze Line bridge near their homes.
A disputed phone call sheds light on political maneuvering over Minneapolis public safety.
What’s happening with The Heights development in St. Paul? Progress on jobs, housing.
Dakota County considers significant levy increase, cuts to staff and services for 2027 budget.
Ramsey County considers 8.25% tax levy increase. Here’s why.
Washington County’s tax levy could rise as much as 7.9%.
St. Paul City Council orders $40K in restitution, backpay from University Avenue dog boarding business.
Frey revives ‘Freyplexes’ in quest for more affordable housing in Minneapolis.
St. Paul city council president calling on city, Ramsey County to end Flock contracts.
Cottage Grove’s new police chief is a ‘servant leader’.
Many Minneapolis homeowners’ property taxes would jump 20% under mayor’s budget.
Small group with big power: Minneapolis Board of Estimate & Taxation to set max property tax hike soon.
Minneapolis to audit $11M in Public Housing Authority spending.
This office tower’s comeback signals a turn for downtown Minneapolis.
Outside investigation into St. Paul mayor likely to be costly, with end date unknown.
St. Paul Fire responds to 3 fires in under 90 minutes.
Work on Gold Line’s Minneapolis extension begins with new Snelling Avenue stations.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS

Minnesota State Fair 101: Your guide to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
2026 Legislative State Fair Poll to ask fairgoers about term-limits, taxes, driverless vehicles.
The average Minnesotan is estimated to spend over $1M on taxes in their lifetime.
Business owners squeezed as costs rise, profits fall, Minneapolis Fed survey finds.
Judge rules Legislature improperly diverted $6M from Anoka County after leader sought ‘revenge’.
It’s the $9 billion question: Where is the fraud documentation?
(OPINION) Schultz: What would a pro-growth agenda look like for Minnesota?
Primary results force Minnesota GOP to reckon with endorsement tradition.
Demuth will run on fraud to beat Klobuchar, but their anti-fraud proposals are similar.
Lisa Demuth announces first part of affordability agenda for Minnesota.
Walz’s decisions put Klobuchar on the spot in governor’s race.
GOP, DFL Party chairs both find reasons for optimism.
Sen. Klobuchar unveils plan for a major healthcare overhaul amid bid for the governorship.
Lisa Demuth’s unlikely rise offers a preview of how she would govern Minnesota.
KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Early frontrunners in governor and Senate races, AG a toss-up.
KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Early frontrunner in Secretary of State race, State Auditor neck and neck.
KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Cost of living, fraud remain top priorities for Minnesota voters.
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2027.
Court ruling could scramble early voting plans across Minnesota.
Minnesota agencies planning ahead for changes to state’s water supply.
Mike Lindell stops payment for primary election recount, calls terms ‘unlawful’.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Take the Saint Paul Community Branding Survey.

Saint Paul Police Department Civilian Police Academy accepting applicants.

Schedule a free premise survey with SPPD Crime Prevention team.

Saint Paul is currently seeking applicants for the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.

Dakota County is seeking members for advisory committees.

Ramsey County is seeking members for Advisory Boards and Committees.

Apply to a Washington County Advisory Board or Committee.

Minnesota Boards and Commissions Seeking Applications, The Office of the Secretary of State opened all seats on Governor appointed Boards and Commissions to begin accepting applications for appointments. People interested in serving on a state board or commission can view open board and commission positions as well as submit their application on the Office of the Secretary of State’s website.

Join a Vadnais Heights Advisory Commission.

Forest Lake is accepting applications for appointments to the Airport Commission, EDA, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission.

Saint Paul HREEO Commission Openings.

Arden Hills seeking applicants for Advisory Commissions and Committees.

Saint Paul’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee seeks applicants.

Join the Ramsey County District 3 Small Business Collaborative.

Saint Paul seeking names for new park at The Heights.

Take the Saint Paul Audit Committee topic suggestions survey.

Roseville is seeking applicants for four citizen advisory commissions.

Apply to join the Lake Elmo Planning Commission.

Take the Harriet Island Planning Survey.

Rondo Streets Study- Phase 3 Draft Concepts Survey.

Downtown St. Paul Safety Experience Survey 25-26.

Take Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkin’s 2027 Budget & Tax Survey.

TOWN HALLS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Downtown Action Series w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

August 27, 4:30-6:00pm, Union Depot - 214 4th St E · Saint Paul, MN 55101

County Road 50/County Road 5 Interchange Public Open House

August 27, 4–6:00pm, Hennen Pavilion at Antlers Park - 20141 Ipava Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044

Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong

August 28, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting
September 4, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting

Office Hours w/ Farmington Mayor Nick Lien

August 28, 9-11:00am, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024
August 31, 3-4:30pm, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024

Office Hours w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

August 28, 12-1:00pm, Swede Hollow Café – 725 7th St E, St. Paul, MN 55106
September 4, 12-1:00pm, Swede Hollow Café – 725 7th St E, St. Paul, MN 55106

St. Paul Police Department Western District Monthly Community Meeting

September 15, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Western District - 389 Hamline Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Paul Ward 1 Budget Event w/ Councilmember Anika Bowie

September 4, 5-7:00pm, Frogtown Community Center – 230 Como Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55103

North Saint Paul 2026 Candidate Forum at City Hall

September 8, 7-8:45pm, North St. Paul City Hall Council Chambers – 2400 Margaret St., North St. Paul, MN

Saint Paul Ward 5 Budget Event w/ Councilmember HwaJeong Kim

September 10, 6-7:30pm, North End Community Center – 145 Lawson Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55117 55103

5^th Annual Coffee w/ Inver Grove Heights Police Chief Melissa Chiodo, Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena, and Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins

September 10, 8:30am, Inver Glen Library - 8098 Blaine Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

Saint Paul Ward 4 Budget Event w/ Councilmember Molly Coleman

September 14, 6-7:30pm, Hancock Recreation Center – 1610 Hubbard Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104

St. Paul Police Department Eastern District Monthly Community Meeting

September 15, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Eastern District – 722 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Dayton’s Bluff Library Closure Discussion w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

September 24, 6:00pm, Metro State University – Ecolab Room (Room 302) – 700 E 7^th St, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Saint Paul Ward 2 Budget Event w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

October 6, 5:30-6:30pm, Palace Community Center – 781 Palace Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102

ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS, AND COMMS STAFF:

Help us help you spread the word about engagement opportunities, town halls, listening sessions, etc. in the East Metro. If you have news to share, please be sure to send it to JP for inclusion in the newsletter!