Better Minneapolis
@betterminneapolis.bsky.social
Newsletter of ideas on how to make Minneapolis a Better place to live. linktr.ee/bttrmpls. Signal: bttrmpls.33
Minneapolis 911 says 41% of its staff is out on paid leave while handling 200+ top-priority calls a day. Meanwhile, Uptown businesses are still waiting on the city's new safety ambassadors, who won't hit the streets until November. More in this week's newsletter. buff.ly/yppTzbT
911 Call Center Reports 41% of Staff on Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave
The Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center’s budget presentation to the City Council outlines the challenge of maintaining staffing levels and controlling overtime
buff.ly
October 7, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Minneapolis 911 says 41% of its staff is out on paid leave while handling 200+ top-priority calls a day. Meanwhile, Uptown businesses are still waiting on the city's new safety ambassadors, who won't hit the streets until November. More in this week's newsletter. buff.ly/yppTzbT
Minneapolis property taxes could rise as much as 11.7% next year after the Board of Estimate & Taxation couldn't reach a compromise and approved the full city and Park Board requests, and the City Council has until December to bring that number down. buff.ly/t8E7Qcm
Property Tax Shock Could Be Ahead for Minneapolis Residents
Unable to reach an agreement, the Board of Estimate & Taxation approved the maximum levy for both the city and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
buff.ly
September 30, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Minneapolis property taxes could rise as much as 11.7% next year after the Board of Estimate & Taxation couldn't reach a compromise and approved the full city and Park Board requests, and the City Council has until December to bring that number down. buff.ly/t8E7Qcm
I talked with Mayor Frey about a tough budget year: a $61M shortfall, a deadlocked vote on the levy, and a standoff with the park board. He's still optimistic and says he'll keep looking for compromise. buff.ly/b8trK6J
Interview: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
The mayor on the levy, the park board, and finding common ground
buff.ly
September 27, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I talked with Mayor Frey about a tough budget year: a $61M shortfall, a deadlocked vote on the levy, and a standoff with the park board. He's still optimistic and says he'll keep looking for compromise. buff.ly/b8trK6J
I will be at Nicollet Open Streets today in the mplsvotes.org booth near the corner of 44th street. Orale is next door.
September 26, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I will be at Nicollet Open Streets today in the mplsvotes.org booth near the corner of 44th street. Orale is next door.
Nicos Tacos has their Halloween decorations up. Worth a visit.
September 25, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Nicos Tacos has their Halloween decorations up. Worth a visit.
Wednesday night, the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation votes on Mayor Frey's proposed 11.3% levy increase, and in my new interview, board member Steve Brandt explains why he wants to hold it under 10%. buff.ly/b434i38
Decision Point on the Property Tax Levy
A conversation with Steve Brandt from the Board of Estimate & Taxation
buff.ly
September 22, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Wednesday night, the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation votes on Mayor Frey's proposed 11.3% levy increase, and in my new interview, board member Steve Brandt explains why he wants to hold it under 10%. buff.ly/b434i38
I talked with Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira about the federal push to favor treatment-first homelessness funding, and whichever way Minnesota's lawsuit goes, the state needs far more behavioral health capacity for either approach to work. buff.ly/lFlzEtf
Housing First or Treatment First: Does Minnesota Have to Choose?
A conversation with Robbie Sequeira, Stateline Housing & Education Reporter
buff.ly
September 21, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I talked with Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira about the federal push to favor treatment-first homelessness funding, and whichever way Minnesota's lawsuit goes, the state needs far more behavioral health capacity for either approach to work. buff.ly/lFlzEtf
A former Wells Fargo mortgage campus in South Minneapolis, abandoned after a $700M+ investment, was just bought for $8M and could become a 1,000-home mixed-use community — but the partners behind it have some real questions to answer. buff.ly/8U15Wm4
Iconic Plaza Aims to Transform the Former Wells Fargo Campus
Dean Dovolis walks me through how the proposal came together and gives me a tour of the former Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Honeywell campus.
buff.ly
September 17, 2026 at 4:47 PM
A former Wells Fargo mortgage campus in South Minneapolis, abandoned after a $700M+ investment, was just bought for $8M and could become a 1,000-home mixed-use community — but the partners behind it have some real questions to answer. buff.ly/8U15Wm4
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new mail-voting restrictions before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, saying states did not have enough time to implement them.
September 15, 2026 at 1:55 AM
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new mail-voting restrictions before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, saying states did not have enough time to implement them.
Interview: Eric Roper (Star Tribune) on why the next governor needs a real regional agenda for the Twin Cities. 140+ cities, tons of duplicated services. buff.ly/0Z119Lm
Why the Next Governor Needs a Regional Agenda
Eric Roper, Star Tribune opinion columnist, on the governor's underused power over the Twin Cities region.
buff.ly
September 14, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Interview: Eric Roper (Star Tribune) on why the next governor needs a real regional agenda for the Twin Cities. 140+ cities, tons of duplicated services. buff.ly/0Z119Lm
Interview: Eric Roper (Star Tribune) on why the next governor needs a real regional agenda for the Twin Cities. 140+ cities, tons of duplicated services. buff.ly/0Z119Lm
Why the Next Governor Needs a Regional Agenda
Eric Roper, Star Tribune opinion columnist, on the governor's underused power over the Twin Cities region.
www.betterminneapolis.com
September 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Interview: Eric Roper (Star Tribune) on why the next governor needs a real regional agenda for the Twin Cities. 140+ cities, tons of duplicated services. buff.ly/0Z119Lm
Reposted by Better Minneapolis
I think the political left should be the loudest voice calling for an AI model development pause, frontier pacing, and mandatory third party audits right now. Put aside the doomer stuff (though I think it’s plausible), we just found out that OpenAI’s agents committed a pretty major felony!
September 9, 2026 at 4:35 PM
I think the political left should be the loudest voice calling for an AI model development pause, frontier pacing, and mandatory third party audits right now. Put aside the doomer stuff (though I think it’s plausible), we just found out that OpenAI’s agents committed a pretty major felony!
Rode home from a day trip, passed my usual intersection where people were getting high in public, one swaying into traffic. Nobody stops. Turns out MN just closed 3 of 5 addiction treatment centers. We need a governor willing to declare a health emergency. buff.ly/xk8oncA
Your Dealer Is Not Your Friend
A State Task Force Is Needed to Address the Fentanyl & Methamphetamine Crisis
www.betterminneapolis.com
September 9, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Rode home from a day trip, passed my usual intersection where people were getting high in public, one swaying into traffic. Nobody stops. Turns out MN just closed 3 of 5 addiction treatment centers. We need a governor willing to declare a health emergency. buff.ly/xk8oncA
Minneapolis is raising property taxes while city salaries jump 100%+ for some employees since 2019, and with 55% of local commercial loans in distress, taxpayers could be on the hook for even more. Time for real transparency before the next hike. buff.ly/qtOd9uX
Pay Raises May Have to Wait
Before any more property tax increases, be transparent about salaries
www.betterminneapolis.com
September 2, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Minneapolis is raising property taxes while city salaries jump 100%+ for some employees since 2019, and with 55% of local commercial loans in distress, taxpayers could be on the hook for even more. Time for real transparency before the next hike. buff.ly/qtOd9uX
Sat down with CM Elliott Payne this week. Talked DFL unity after the Fateh endorsement, his push for social housing (Seattle's trying it too), the Heritage Park housing failure, and why he believes police overspending is driving this year's property tax fight. buff.ly/ozG9Ajb
Interview: Elliott Payne, President of Minneapolis City Council
An Advocate for Greater Local Control and Ownership
open.substack.com
August 31, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Sat down with CM Elliott Payne this week. Talked DFL unity after the Fateh endorsement, his push for social housing (Seattle's trying it too), the Heritage Park housing failure, and why he believes police overspending is driving this year's property tax fight. buff.ly/ozG9Ajb
Reposted by Better Minneapolis
CM Stevenson and I are cohosting a community engagement Town Hall, to inform the recruitment & hiring of the next Minneapolis Police Chief for neighbors who live in the 3rd Precinct jurisdiction. Council members who represent the area have also been invited to join.
@sorenwithward8.bsky.social
@sorenwithward8.bsky.social
August 19, 2026 at 5:16 PM
CM Stevenson and I are cohosting a community engagement Town Hall, to inform the recruitment & hiring of the next Minneapolis Police Chief for neighbors who live in the 3rd Precinct jurisdiction. Council members who represent the area have also been invited to join.
@sorenwithward8.bsky.social
@sorenwithward8.bsky.social
Reposted by Better Minneapolis
I am excited that this cutting-edge work is happening right in Ward 8, and look forward to supporting more like it across Minneapolis.
August 19, 2026 at 7:09 PM
I am excited that this cutting-edge work is happening right in Ward 8, and look forward to supporting more like it across Minneapolis.
Mayor Frey wants a 2.5% levy for Minneapolis parks, the Park Board says it needs 5.86% just to keep the lights on, and I sat down with Board President Tom Olsen to break down the fight, plus the Minnehaha dog park closure and this year's beach closures. buff.ly/V8Xoi0o
Interview: Tom Olsen, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President
Examination of Mayor Frey’s 2027 Budget has Just Started
www.betterminneapolis.com
August 19, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Mayor Frey wants a 2.5% levy for Minneapolis parks, the Park Board says it needs 5.86% just to keep the lights on, and I sat down with Board President Tom Olsen to break down the fight, plus the Minnehaha dog park closure and this year's beach closures. buff.ly/V8Xoi0o
Minneapolis wastes so much energy on outrage over Mayor Frey that we're missing the real story: slow job growth, sky-high childcare costs, and a dead-last corporate tax ranking. Time to focus on what actually moves the city forward. buff.ly/r77i646
Frey Derangement Syndrome
Accepting Frey as Mayor is the First Step to Recovery
www.betterminneapolis.com
August 17, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Minneapolis wastes so much energy on outrage over Mayor Frey that we're missing the real story: slow job growth, sky-high childcare costs, and a dead-last corporate tax ranking. Time to focus on what actually moves the city forward. buff.ly/r77i646
Sometimes I think people are being too paranoid about intrusions by the federal government. Then I read something that shows me they aren't being paranoid enough. buff.ly/HPV3ESA
August 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Sometimes I think people are being too paranoid about intrusions by the federal government. Then I read something that shows me they aren't being paranoid enough. buff.ly/HPV3ESA
Peggy Flanagan's 20-point win over Angie Craig shows Minnesota Democrats want bold candidates and real community organizing over cautious, ad-driven campaigns. www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-new-ma...
The New Math of DFL Elections in Minnesota
Stop buying TV ads and start building community networks
www.betterminneapolis.com
August 12, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Peggy Flanagan's 20-point win over Angie Craig shows Minnesota Democrats want bold candidates and real community organizing over cautious, ad-driven campaigns. www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-new-ma...
Got it done. Now the ads will end?
August 11, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Got it done. Now the ads will end?
Reposted by Better Minneapolis
Our office is fully prepared to protect and defend your right to vote.
Any reports of threats, harassment, or intimidation directed at voters or election workers will be reviewed and, if appropriate, prosecuted.
Any reports of threats, harassment, or intimidation directed at voters or election workers will be reviewed and, if appropriate, prosecuted.
August 10, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Our office is fully prepared to protect and defend your right to vote.
Any reports of threats, harassment, or intimidation directed at voters or election workers will be reviewed and, if appropriate, prosecuted.
Any reports of threats, harassment, or intimidation directed at voters or election workers will be reviewed and, if appropriate, prosecuted.
I break down the DFL Senate primary polling gap between Craig and Flanagan, the ugly online infighting around it, and what Jonathan Chait's "two-front war" theory means for Minnesota as we try to keep our own political house in order. buff.ly/TNL92Ad
What the Michigan Senate Race Means to Minnesota
Will Peggy Flanagan ride to victory on Abdul El-Sayed's coattails?
www.betterminneapolis.com
August 6, 2026 at 6:32 PM
I break down the DFL Senate primary polling gap between Craig and Flanagan, the ugly online infighting around it, and what Jonathan Chait's "two-front war" theory means for Minnesota as we try to keep our own political house in order. buff.ly/TNL92Ad
I break down the DFL Senate primary polling gap between Craig and Flanagan, the ugly online infighting around it, and what Jonathan Chait's "two-front war" theory means for Minnesota as we try to keep our own political house in order. www.betterminneapolis.com/p/what-the-m...
What the Michigan Senate Race Means to Minnesota
Will Peggy Flanagan ride to victory on Abdul El-Sayed's coattails?
www.betterminneapolis.com
August 6, 2026 at 2:59 PM
I break down the DFL Senate primary polling gap between Craig and Flanagan, the ugly online infighting around it, and what Jonathan Chait's "two-front war" theory means for Minnesota as we try to keep our own political house in order. www.betterminneapolis.com/p/what-the-m...