Advocacy News, September 10, 2026

PRICE CONTROLS, POLICY, AND FRANCHISE FEES

Hello, hello!

Happy end of the State Fair and Back to School weeks for all those who celebrate. My nephew started kindergarten this week, and I must admit I'm a little jealous of his first-day ensemble (Adidas tracksuit). Judging from old family photos, let's just say my mother had a very different definition of "first-day fit."

As summer wanes and we move into autumn, the Saint Paul City Council is also back in school. This week the Council's Policy Committee included a presentation on minimum tobacco pricing—a proposal that, stripped to its essentials, amounts to government-imposed price controls. I'm not making a moral judgment about a legal product. Channeling my inner-Murray Rothbard, my objection is the same one I've made regarding rent "stabilization": government-mandated price controls are a poor substitute for sound public policy. Good intentions don't exempt bad economics, and Saint Paul can ill afford policies that reduce revenue while searching for ways to grow its tax base. As an unnamed source said to me this week, "even if you don't like gravity, it's still there."

The curriculum didn't end there. The City also released and Council began the process to adopt a proposed overhaul of its franchise fee structure. For commercial and industrial customers already weighing where to invest, expand, or locate, another layer of increased cost sends the wrong signal. If Saint Paul is serious about being "open for business," our policies should reinforce that message—not undercut it. More than once this week I found myself wishing Amanda Duerr were still down the hall to explain the finer points of franchise fee negotiations over a cup of coffee. The City Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 16th during the regular council meeting.

Policy choices matter. They determine whether cranes continue to dot our skyline, whether vacant storefronts become thriving businesses, and whether employers choose to invest in Saint Paul or somewhere else. Cities don't simply grow because they hope to; they grow because they create an environment where investment is welcomed and success is possible.

Turning from bad policy to a somber remembrance, tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of September 11. Even a quarter century later, I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that morning. As a teenager, I used to hear older generations recall the Kennedy assassination or the moon landing with remarkable clarity. I never imagined my generation would have its own defining moment. We did. Tomorrow I'll pause to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless volunteers who answered our nation's call in one of its darkest hours.

Until next time.

—JP

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK - check back in two weeks

IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS

Kyle and Fairbanks: ‘Right to Repair’ is wrong for St. Paul. Here’s why.
St. Paul negotiates new franchise agreement with Xcel Energy.
MN Court of Appeals to hear St. Paul’s ‘Right to Repair’ after early voting starts.
St. Paul Planning Commission weighs competing zoning around The Celia.
(OPINION) City, county and state pass the buck on responsibility for historic St. Paul bridge.
Looming library closure in St. Paul highlights city’s hard budget choices.
Metro property tax hikes loom as cities and counties face funding pressure.
(OPINION) Fruit of fiscal reform is in reach, but city needs to act now.
Minneapolis Council asks, ‘Hey Detroit, got any ideas?’
Need to go? In Minneapolis, you’ll need to wait.
St. Paul to ditch 2 Flock security cameras in light of data concerns.
Announcing City of Saint Paul minimum wage rates for 2027.
St. Paul Mayor Koahly Her on 2027 budget, Daytons Bluff, and more!
St. Paul Port Authority issues $530,000 in grants for downtown, Rice Street.
Stalemate continues over funding gap on the $3.5 billion Blue Line Extension.
(OPINION) Garofalo: The Green Line Extension will be obsolete on arrival.
New data details how Ramsey County allocated $2.25M as Pig’s Eye Park camp closure loomed.
St. Paul: Randolph Avenue homeless encampment has grown by at least 100.
St. Paul experimenting with solar-powered street lights to battle copper wire thefts.
As St. Paul police seek to expand drone program, 2 council members say ‘no’.
Stillwater residents pack City Hall to voice concerns over Flock cameras.
St. Paul budget: Kaohly Her’s 7-month police security cost already exceeds Melvin Carter’s 2025 total.
On St. Paul’s East Side, frustration with Mayor Her’s budget proposal grows.
Not on my street: St. Paul residents upset with Metro Transit’s plan for H Line.
Farmington Council approves a construction manager firm for police station project.
White Bear Lake City Council receives street project update.
City of Vadnais Heights launches new website to share fire service needs.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS

Voting opens for Minnesota’s Coolest-Made Product.
The Minnesota Senate released results from its annual informal survey of State Fair attendees.
Minnesota DNR to leave downtown St. Paul for the West Side.
(OPINION) Growth is good.
Minnesota politics still has a front porch, and it’s at the State Fair.
Fraud is the GOP’s strongest issue. Klobuchar may be its hardest target.
Klobuchar, Demuth outline differing approaches to Minnesota housing costs, supply.
Shuttle bus headaches at the Minnesota State Fair, but Metro Transit says it’s fixing the issues.
2026 Minnesota State Fair starts off with two record-breaking days.
What happens to Amy Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she is elected governor?
Amid gang concerns at the State Fair, police keep vigilant as the Mighty Midway roars.
Minnesota Supreme Court denies Michael Lindell's request over Republican governor primary recount.
The state of labor in Minnesota in 7 charts.
Where do leftovers from the Minnesota State Fair go?
Audit: Minnesota needs to improve assisted living oversight, inspections.
Minnesota kept sending hundreds of thousands in grants to EV startup that missed key reporting deadline.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

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.

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.

2027 City of Forest Lake Budget Survey

TOWN HALLS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

Ramsey County Public Hearing on Proposed 2027 Supplemental County Budget and Tax Levy

September 10, 5:00pm, Ramsey County Council Chambers – 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102 (third floor)

Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong

September 11, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting
September 18, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting

Office Hours w/ Farmington Mayor Nick Lien

September 11, 9-11:00am, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024
September 14, 3-4:30pm, Farmington City Hall – 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024

Office Hours w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

September 11, 12-1:00pm, Dayton’s Bluff Library – 645 East 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
September 18, 12-1:00pm, Dayton’s Bluff Library – 645 East 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Community Coffee Hour w/ Representative Robert Biermanr

September 12, 9:30-10:00am, Galaxie Library - 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124
September 26, 9-10:00am, Dunn Brothers - 15265 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124

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

Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Kelly Miller

September 14, 10-11:30am, Maplewood Library - 3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood, MN 55109
September 28, 10:30am-12:00pm, North St. Paul Library – 2300 N. St. Paul Drive, North St. Paul, MN 55109
September 28, 1-2:30pm, White Bear Lake Library – 2150 2nd Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

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

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

City of Saint Paul’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Event

September 17, 4-6:00pm, Rice Park – 109 W 4th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102

North St. Paul Fire Department Open House

September 18, 6-8:00pm, City Hall Fire Bay & Parking Lot – 2400 Margaret St., North St. Paul, MN 55109

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

Lake Elmo Fire Department’s Open House

September 28, 4-8:00pm, Lake Elmo Fire Department – 3880 Laverne Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042

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

Downtown Action Series w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

October 15, 4:30-6:00pm, Union Depot – 214 Fourth Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101

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!