Minnesota Report
Last night Harding High School hosted a forum, which opened with, highlighting the two referendum questions and then the mayoral candidates on the November 4, 2025 ballot, followed. The event had a bevy of Eastside politicos present, Rep Liz Lee (DFL-67A, St Paul), City Council Member Cheniqua Johnson (DFL-Ward 07), along with a visitor, Council President Rebecca Noecker (DFL-Ward 02). The noticeable absences were: Sen Foung Hawj (DFL-67, St Paul), Rep Jay Xiong (DFL-67B, St Paul) and Ramsey Council Commissioner Mai Xiong (DFL-06).
In St Paul, the Eastside is an important because physically, it is the most diverse and represents approximately 1/3 of the city’s land mass.
The referenda are:
Question 1
Referendum on Ord 25-2 amending the City Charter.
Should Ordinance Ord 25-2, amending Chapter 6.03 of the St. Paul Charter, regarding Administrative Citations take effect? Ordinance Ord 25-2 amends the City Charter to authorize the issuance of Administrative Citations that may result in the imposition of civil fines for violations of City Ordinances. Administrative Citations are not Criminal Citations. A “yes vote is a vote in favor of amending the City Charter to allow the City to issue administrative citations. A “No” vote is a vote against amending the City Charter and against administrative citations.
Question 2
Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization
The board of Independent School District No. 625 (Saint Paul), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District’s general education revenue by $1,073 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
All mayoral candidates were present and when we find the posted video, we will insert it into this post:
Melvin Carter III (DFL), Van Chen (DFL), Adam Dullinger (Yet to be self-identified), Kaohly Her (DFL) and Mike Hilborn (I).