8/16/2024 -- Tax Hikes Proposed for MPLS & STP

Government

Twin Cities Mayors Propose Tax Hikes For Minneapolis and St. Paul 💲

Minneapolis: Mayor Jacob Frey's 2025 Budget Proposal

Property Tax Levy Increase: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proposed an 8.1% property tax levy hike for 2025, marking the highest increase in at least 20 years.

Budget Details: The proposed budget totals $1.88 billion and aims to cover ongoing operations, housing investments, economic recovery efforts, and obligations related to police reform and personnel costs.

Challenges: The city faces a projected $21.6 million deficit in 2025, compounded by declining property values downtown and the end of COVID-19 relief funds.

Next Steps: The Board of Estimate and Taxation will hold a public hearing in September, followed by additional hearings and amendments by the City Council.

St. Paul: Mayor Melvin Carter's 2025 Budget Proposal

Property Tax Levy Increase: St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has proposed a 7.9% property tax levy increase for 2025.

Budget Details: The proposed $855 million budget includes a $24.5 million boost to the general fund and increased staffing for the St. Paul Fire Department. Other priorities include a $7 million investment in affordable housing and a $1.7 million revitalization strategy for downtown.

Public Safety and Housing: Carter’s budget allocates $4.5 million to the Community-First Public Safety Framework and proposes exempting new housing from the city's rent control ordinance after 20 years.

Next Steps: The St. Paul City Council will adopt the maximum property tax levy in September, as required by state law.

Politics

Ilhan Omar and Royce White Are Big Winners During Tuesday’s Primaries 🗳

Key takeaways from the Minnesota primary election:

Ilhan Omar Wins: Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar decisively defeated former Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels, winning by over 14 points.

Royce White vs. Amy Klobuchar: The former professional basketball player and Republican candidate, endorsed by far-right figures won the GOP primary for U.S. Senate. Royce White will challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November.

Michelle Fischbach Wins: In the 7th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach successfully defended her seat against challenger Steve Boyd. Fischbach won the primary despite not receiving the Republican endorsement at the district convention.

Turnout Declines: Voter turnout was lower compared to previous primaries, with around 12% of eligible voters participating.

Minneapolis

Apartment Building Fire Claims Two Lives — Fire Officials Begin Arson Investigation

The Summary: A fire broke out on Tuesday night in a four-story apartment building in the Elliot Park neighborhood, just south of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Casualties: The fire has claimed the lives of two residents, and four others are hospitalized in serious condition. The deceased include an elderly male, whose body was discovered in the rubble, and a second unidentified individual found on the fourth floor under debris from a roof collapse.

Possible Arson: Fire officials are investigating arson as a potential cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing, with crews continuing to search the building with cadaver dogs to ensure no other victims remain.

Personal Stories: One resident, Hokiscala Cante Ma Yuha Metcalf, was reunited with his dog, Coco, who survived after being trapped in the fire for over two hours.

What Else We’re Reading…

8-year-old girl uses bat to help fight off armed robber at Twin Cities liquor store

An 8-year-old girl used a baseball bat to help fend off an armed robber at Big Discount Liquors in Maplewood, as captured on surveillance video. The suspect, Conchobhar Morrell, was charged with attempted aggravated robbery and had a history of similar offenses.

Read the full story from WCCO here.

Sports

JJ McCarthy Out For The Season 🏈

The Summary: The Minnesota Vikings' rookie quarterback will be sidelined until 2025 after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The Injury: McCarthy was injured at some point during Saturday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Darnold Time: The season ending surgery leaves Sam Darnold as the likely starter for the 2024 season.

Other Sports News

🐺 The Minnesota Timberwolves announced their 2024-2025 season schedule. The Wolves will be on national television 25 times.

⚽ The Minnesota Aurora FC have withdrawn their bid to be an NWSL expansion team in 2026.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and JD Vance have agreed to debate on October 1st. Another debate is possible on September 16th (AP)

❯ A Twin Cities charter school has lost $1.3 million in funding due to falsifying attendance records (Bring Me The News)

❯ UnitedHealth has begun informing patients affected by major data breach (Star Tribune)

❯ Minneapolis police are investigating threatening calls to Twin Cities mosques (KSTP)

❯ Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is set to build 147 affordable homes in St. Paul (Kare11)

❯ The Star Tribune editorial team has announced they will not be announcing any political endorsements for the upcoming election cycle (Star Tribune)

The Final Word: Stolen Valor

The Onion, a purely satire news website, has written a story claiming Tim Walz has stolen valor — but not the type you’re thinking…

-Patrick