Overall, this session delivered targeted but limited wins for Saint Paul. While key projects received partial funding—particularly within the bonding bill—larger transformational requests and policy changes largely stalled. The consistent theme is incremental progress rather than sweeping investment, leaving several major priorities unresolved and likely to resurface in the next session.
 
The Star Tribune published a helpful recap of the legislative session. Below are highlights from the priorities we’d been tracking: 

• Grand Casino Arena, RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium investments
  • The City of Saint Paul requested $200M for needed renovations. The legislature approved $40M for Roy Wilkins and $10M for Grand Casino Arena (well short of the $200M Mayor Her requested).
  • The City also sought an extension of its half-cent sales tax to help cover project costs; that extension was not approved.
  • Catalyzing Underutilized Buildings (CUB) Tax Credit: Intended to support the conversion of downtown commercial space to housing, this proposal did not pass for the third straight year.
• Small Business Economic Relief (post Metro Surge): a proposed $100M relief fund was not passed.
• Paid Family Medical Leave modifications: no changes were passed.
• HCMC emergency funding: $205M in direct funding + $500M hospital reserve account for HCMC and other eligible hospitals.
• Banning local governments from signing nondisclosure agreements: failed to pass.
• Property tax relief: A $125 million property tax refund, that will go to some 600,000 homeowners who qualify for the homestead tax credit, passed. 
• $1.2B bonding bill investments included:
  • $40M - Roy Wilkins Auditorium renovations
  • $10M - Grand Casino Arena 
  • $1M - CHS predesign
  • $3.6M - Latino Museum
  • $630K - Saint Paul Port Authority, Capitol Area economic development grants
  • $1M - Saint Paul Port Authority, The Heights Redevelopment Site
  • $13M - City of Saint Paul, West 7th St improvement project (utilities)
  • $250M – Reduction of car-tab fees for one year 

 
See you in the trenches,
B

Big updates on events. First, we wrapped up a very successful 3rd Annual Small Business Summit and Expo, presented by Wells Fargo, last week. Nearly 300 attendees and 80 exhibitors came together on Friday for a full day of learning, networking, and celebration. We enjoyed an insightful panel including Jazz Hampton, CEO of TurnSignl, a Saint Paul-founded technology company, Holly Weinkauf, owner of beloved Grand Avenue retailer Red Balloon Bookshop, and Juan Lopez, owner of three Rice Street businesses Tromperia el Zac, The Perfect Coffee, and Mini super la Chiquis.  The Minnesota SBA also presented their Small Business Awards – view the full list of National Small Business Week awardees. What a terrific event and a testament to the strength of our small business community.

Looking ahead: this week we’re hosting our quarterly Lunch With Leaders, where I’ll be sitting down with Neel Kashkari, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (Ninth District). It’s always one of my favorite conversations—digging into monetary policy and the Fed’s dual mandate of managing inflation while supporting full employment. We have a few spots left, and if you’re interested in joining us, please register here. 
 
Finally, I was pleased to share my recent op‑ed in the Pioneer Press, “Saint Paul, let’s row together while investments flow in our direction.” The piece focuses on the importance of collaboration, alignment, and shared momentum as we work to attract investment and opportunity to our downtown. It connects closely to the themes we’re seeing across our events: strong partnerships, forward‑looking leadership, and confidence in Saint Paul’s future.
 
See you in the trenches,
B

Last week I was in Boston for a Board meeting of our national chamber association: ACCE.  It was valuable learning time – and it directly informs how I serve our Chamber.​

In every community, a chamber executive is a bit like a unicorn – a true one-of-one.  We often work alone, yet our role is essential to the health of the entire community ecosystem. Time spent with peers is rare and treasured – an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how our work fits into the broader national ecosystem of advocacy and convening.   

Much of our discussion centered on leadership and what great leadership looks like. That conversation dovetailed perfectly with my latest read, High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides Us,” by John Maxwell.  Each of us – regardless of title - should be on a continual quest to grow as leaders within our circles of influence. Maxwell’s message feels especially relevant in an era marked by division and othering.

He sets the context plainly:  

• A recent poll found that 63% of Americans have little confidence in elected officials, 67% have little or no confidence in the federal government, and 70% say declining trust makes it harder to solve national problems.
• Maxwell argues that if we believe these challenges are caused solely by “the other side,” we’ve missed the point. Real progress begins with self‑reflection—recognizing our own role in division and choosing to build bridges instead of widening gaps.

 
Maxwell contrasts three leadership paths:

• Low road leadership: self‑centered, manipulative, focused on personal gain.
• Middle road leadership: transactional and conditional--I’ll help you if you help me.
• High road leadership: people‑first, values‑driven, and unifying.

 
His charge is clear: take the high road. The high road, he argues, is the only path that truly brings people together.
Feeling inspired? Maybe even challenged? I am!

What Maxwell describes echoes something Henry Ford understood a century ago: success comes from bringing people together—and committing to a shared vision.

That idea also brings me back to one of my favorite leadership voices, Simon Sinek, who reminds us that leadership is not about being in charge or having all the answers. True leadership is about empowering others, articulating a vision that doesn’t yet exist, and inviting people to help make it real.
​
Sinek also offers this reminder: “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.”

I am passionate about our work, this great region, and the people who call it home. I truly love what I do.

See you in the trenches,
B