I’m feeling a bit philosophical today. Last week I read reflections on Juneteenth, along with former President Barack Obama’s comments at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. A friend, Shannon Watson, also shared NC Senator Michael Garrett’s reflections on that speech (via Facebook, June 18). And then, of course, we are approaching our country’s semiquincentennial. Together, they set me thinking about our shared responsibilities as citizens.​

Obama’s message – echoed in Sen Garrett’s reflections – lingered with me: a call to reject cynicism and division, and a reminder that democracy depends on active citizenship, shared values, and faith in one another.

Obama put it this way: “Leadership has less to do with titles or rank or chasing attention than with helping others find their voice, reaching their potential.”

And more broadly: “Democracy can be frustrating. It can be slow. It can be inefficient. And yet … it is precious. It reminds us of what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens … It is our greatest inheritance, the story of America at its best, because it reflects a basic faith in the decency of our fellow citizens and the possibility that despite all of our differences, we can see each other and understand one another and make common cause together.”

Obama also talked about the challenges we face today that tempt us to “give in to cynicism and even despair, to stop trying”:

“I get it. I am not immune to anger or doubt, but I do know this: When we lose faith in each other, when we stop believing that voting matters, that citizenship matters, that our collective voices matter, that how we treat each other matters, and we give away our power to decide our own futures, we open the door to the most ruthless, or the most careless, or the most fearful among us.”

For me, Obama’s most powerful reference – and reminder - (and Sen Garrett mentioned in his reflections) was to Theodore Parker’s words from 170 years ago: “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Parker spoke those words in a deeply uncertain time, when his own vision for a better future was clouded, and yet he held on to hope – “to stay true to our better selves and true to one another, and to keep fighting to fulfill the promise of this nation …”

Though now we “see through a glass darkly,” we have role models of perseverance, to do as Sen Garrett charges us: “put our hands on that arc – and pull. Till it bends.”

See you in the trenches,
B

We have had some beautiful weather (loving it!), and the timing is perfect because the St. Paul Area Chamber’s annual Golf Classic, Presented by Blaze Credit Union, is fast approaching on Monday, June 29.  We have a few foursomes still available – or join us as a single and make some new friends. We all hope to see you there, so we can enjoy the day together! This is one of my favorite events – bring clients, spend quality time with fellow business leaders and community partners, and strengthen your business visibility. All with low-pressure fun.  Register here to golf, and reach out to Beth Breidel, [email protected], if you’d like a hole sponsorship (we just have a few left). A great way to roll into July 4 festivities!
 
See you in the trenches,
B

St. Paul will see a rental repair ordinance headed for November ballot. Ballot initiatives can be a powerful tool for democracy, but they often are the wrong vehicle for complex policy. St. Paul’s proposed “right-to-repair” ordinance is a good example of why.
 
My thinking: complex housing policy deserves careful crafting—not a yes-or-no vote on Election Day. The last housing-related ballot initiative was rent control in 2021, and we’ve experienced its disastrous wake.
 
On its surface, the idea sounds simple: if a landlord doesn’t fix a problem within 14 days, tenants could hire someone and deduct up to $500 or half a month’s rent, whichever is greater, to cover repairs. But the details quickly get complicated. The measure would cover everything from minor fixes to major structural issues, while also creating new rules around inspections, disputes, and reimbursement. 
 
That complexity matters. Questions about what qualifies as a necessary repair, who is qualified to do the work, and whether permits are required aren’t trivial—they’re central to safety, liability, and housing quality. These are exactly the kinds of technical decisions best handled through deliberative policymaking, where experts, regulators, and stakeholders can refine language and adjust over time. 
 
Even critics of the proposal aren’t necessarily opposed to better enforcement; they’re concerned that layering new rules through a ballot measure could create unintended risks or discourage investment in housing. 
 
Mayor Her is championing the notion that Saint Paul is open for business, including building more housing at all price points. To reach that goal, we need policies that encourage private investment, not another red mark to our already burdensome regulatory environment.

​See you in the trenches,
B

Last week the Minneapolis Federal Reserve published a paper reviewing Saint Paul’s housing/zoning policies over the last few years – and unveiled  its new Saint Paul Housing Dashboard.  Excellent data points.  This city must figure this one out – how to woo back private investors into housing development and turn around the current trajectory of declining rental property tax base.
 
Conclusion: mixed results. 

• 2026 zoning changes allowing for up to four to five units on formerly single-family lots. The outcome of that change will take time to play out, though is a positive opportunity to expand the “missing middle” market.
• 2021 rent stabilization: Saint Paul experienced a major drop in overall housing construction, from its peak of 2000+ units per year in 2020 and 2021, to 404 units in 2024 and 357 units in 2025.  Developers report ongoing and multiple headwinds, with financing being the biggest. 

 
Key takeaways for me: 

1. The city went from a construction boom to a sharp slowdown with the advent of rent stabilization (even with ensuing modifications), and its chilling effect on development continues.
2. The market shifted away from private market-rate development (80%+ pre-rent stabilization) toward subsidized housing (over 40% subsidized after implementation of rent stabilization). 
3. The data shows that after adjusting for inflation, typical rents in Saint Paul are falling. 
4. Higher property taxes/insurance/insurance costs matched with declining property values is a lose-lose economic environment (-36% drop in property value per unit from 2020 to 2025).
5. The city is now adjusting policies to regain balance between affordability and housing supply growth; time will tell. 
6. The city can turn this around. One affordable housing developer said they were “struggling to get a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit investor because syndicators are not interested in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.” This interviewee believes that syndicators, investors who purchase the tax credits, are “turned off by rent control and uncertainty over local governance and policies.” On the other hand, another affordable housing developer said that if the structure and underwriting are right, “[tax credit] investors will come to Saint Paul.”

 
See you in the trenches,
B

Please consider this my personal invitation to join us at this year's InterCity Leadership Visit to Kansas City, September 28-30, a 3-day experience for senior leaders focused on what it takes to build a strong, connected metropolitan region! Kansas City offers a powerful example of regional collaboration across state lines, sectors, and institutions in competing with other regions throughout the country. During the visit, we will engage directly with civic, business, and academic leaders to explore how the region aligns around downtown vibrancy, major sports and cultural investments, transit, healthcare, and public policy to drive growth.​

From the historic Jazz District at 18th & Vine to emerging entertainment corridors and marquee global events like this year's FIFA World Cup, Kansas City shows how identity, culture, and investment can strengthen a business climate while navigating growth and public safety in real time.
You will leave with practical insights, new relationships, and a clearer perspective on how we can build momentum and position the MSP Region more effectively.

​Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot!

See you in the trenches,
B