Proposed Price Controls

First off, our PAC endorsement process is wrapping up, and we’ll be announcing our endorsed candidates within the coming weeks. The MN Chamber’s Leadership Fund PAC has concluded its work for the 2026 election cycle. Linked here are their House and Senate endorsements. Also, for your own education, please refer to our East Metro Voter Guide for East Metro candidate information. 
 
Last week the Saint Paul City Council's Policy Committee included a presentation on minimum tobacco pricing—a proposal that, stripped to its essentials, amounts to government-imposed price controls. Our objection is the same one we've made regarding rent "stabilization": government-mandated price controls are a poor substitute for sound public policy. Good intentions don't exempt bad economics, and Saint Paul can ill afford policies that reduce revenue while searching for ways to grow its tax base. As a friend said last week, "even if you don't like gravity, it's still there."
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The City also released and Council began the process to adopt a proposed overhaul of its franchise fee structure. For commercial and industrial customers already weighing where to invest, expand, or locate, another layer of increased cost sends the wrong signal. If Saint Paul is serious about being "open for business," our policies should reinforce that message—not undercut it. The City Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 16th during the regular council meeting.  

Policy choices matter. They determine whether cranes continue to dot our skyline, whether vacant storefronts become thriving businesses, and whether employers choose to invest in Saint Paul or somewhere else. Cities don't simply grow because they hope to; they grow because they create an environment where investment is welcomed and success is possible.

See you in the trenches,
 B

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