District Perspectives

St. Paul Ward 3 Council Member Saura Jost.
Saura Jost 2 min read , ,

Keeping Our Community Safe and Thriving 

It’s been a challenging year and one of contrasts. As major crimes in St. Paul plummet by double digits, our year has been punctuated by startling violence. Gravest of all the Annunciation Shooting across the river. Last month, State Senator Sandy Pappas spoke of the work happening at the state to prevent a similar tragedy from ever happening again. Our office, Mayor Carter, and all Council Members are working together and in parallel with our St. Paul Delegation to advance City Ordinance to end this type of senseless violence.

Read More
State Senator Sandy Pappas, Senate District 65
Sandy Pappas 3 min read , ,

How Federal Funding Impacts Minnesotans

Until this January, I’d wager many Minnesotans didn’t spend much time thinking about the way our federal government moves money around. That’s what’s great about a government that works the way it’s meant to: only the people who are paid to think about it, have to think about it. But as we’ve seen since January 20, when the system starts to break down — or rather, is being actively destroyed — it becomes everyone’s problem. Problems like: Will I be able to feed my family this week if our WIC benefits are cancelled? Will I still be able to see my doctor if Medicaid funding is slashed? Will I have to quit my job to take care of my kids if Head Start shuts down? 

Read More
Rebecca Noecker 2 min read , ,

Engagement Done Right

At the beginning of a summer now edging toward fall, I had the chance to attend the We Live Here community meeting hosted by the W. 7th/Fort Road Federation. I came away energized and grateful for a convening that was impressive in many ways. 

First, it was genuine. Too many community engagement sessions seem to be done for show or to “check the box” to say they’ve engaged the community when they knew what they intended to do all along. This meeting was the opposite. There was no preconceived agenda, no ulterior motive beyond an authentic desire to hear from people who live and work in the neighborhood. Notes were taken at each table and shared with everyone who attended, so it was clear what was heard and what was done with our input.

Read More