Complex Housing Policy Doesn't Belong on the Ballot

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

---

Put these events on your calendar: