Public Interest

Rebecca Noecker 2 min read , , ,

Housing, Economic Growth and More – The Year Ahead for the St. Paul HRA

I’m honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to chair the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The HRA is responsible for much of the work I believe is critical to building a fair and just community – creating more affordable housing and keeping our small businesses strong. To make sure people at all income levels can afford to live in St. Paul, we need many more affordable homes of many more types and sizes in all of our neighborhoods. To keep our neighborhoods strong, we need to support the small businesses that are at the heart of them. 

Read More
Righ Track applications are now open
Damian Goebel 0 min read , ,

U.S. Department of Labor initiative to improve opportunities for St. Paul young people 

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the second cohort of its Youth Systems Building Academy, an innovative effort to increase and enhance employment opportunities for youth. The 10 additional communities, including a program in St. Paul, and their partners will receive individualized training and tailored technical assistance from the department to help develop, test, implement or scale systems that engage and support young people entering the workforce. 

Read More
The Rep who Raps, Maria Isa.
Damian Goebel 5 min read , ,

“Rep who Raps” readies for album release, return to session

Better known to some by her stage name, Maria Isa, and by others as Representative Perez-Vega of House District 65B, Maria Isa Perez-Vega has a lot on her plate this February.

“The Rep who Raps” is more than living up to her nickname this year as she is releasing her latest album, “Unlock the Chamber,” on February 12, the same day that Minnesota’s legislative session kicks off in St. Paul.

Read More
Damian Goebel 4 min read , ,

St. Paul’s historic City Council sworn in

On January 9, St. Paul’s next City Council was sworn in at a ceremony at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. 

With four new members, the council is going to look different in years past in more ways than one. In a historic election by St. Paul voters, for the first time in St. Paul, or any major U.S. city, our city council consists of all female members. What’s more, all seven members are under 40 years-old and six of the seven identify as people of color.

Read More