District Perspectives

María Isa Pérez-Vega 3 min read ,

Cultivating Creativity: How Minnesota’s 2023 Legislature is Investing in the Arts 

Minnesota’s vibrant arts scene is a cornerstone of our St. Paul identity. From the Ordway Center for the Arts to Teatro del Pueblo, and Penumbra Theater, our state fosters artistic expression across all disciplines. However, ensuring this creativity thrives requires ongoing support. The 2023 Minnesota Legislature took significant steps to prioritize programs and legislation that cultivate sustainability in the arts for Minnesotans of all ages. 

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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. 

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Sandy Pappas 2 min read ,

Playgrounds are for everyone

Play is a central part of childhood, and a trip to the neighborhood playground is often the highlight of a child’s day. A game of “the ground is lava” can turn a slide into a volcano, a stranger into a friend. Playing together helps children learn how to collaborate, problem-solve and stretch their imaginations. In fact, the United Nations names play as one of the rights of every child, and organizations from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the Centers for Disease Control recommend active play for children every day, citing countless socio-emotional and health benefits.

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