Voting – Democracy at Work

Make sure you mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting on February 29 (Leap Day!) at RiverCentre. We're already making plans to create a fantastic evening of making connections that count with you.

​Before we get to my thoughts for the week, I wanted to send two shout-outs:  first of all, congratulations are in order to us! Greater MSP region wins designation as U.S. Tech Hub! Announcement came through last week that the region has been designated as one of 31 tech hubs across the country.  More than 20 organizations collaborated through the GREATER MSP Partnership to develop a shared strategy that will enhance U.S. economic and national security by advancing the country’s global leadership in medical device technology. The “Minnesota MedTech 3.0” effort builds on existing strengths to create a medical device ecosystem that is nation-leading.  We have a real opportunity here; thanks to Greater MSP’s leadership on this effort!
 
My second shout-out is to our partner, Midway Chamber of Commerce, and to our Government Affairs team here at the Chamber.  On Monday we published a joint op ed in the Pioneer Press outlining our concerns with the proposed sales tax. It’s worth a read.
 
This second note is really the genesis of my thoughts for today: informed thinking as it related to voting – democracy at work.  I agree with Tip O’Neill that all politics are local, and I’m not being hyperbolic to say that this year is of historic importance for the future of the City of Saint Paul.  The majority of our City Council will be new, we will have a new Council President, and we have key issues at stake – among them, potential additional local sales tax, and the future of rent control.  I was interviewed last week on the issue of the sales tax, and I’ll say to you what I said to WCCO:  what we all owe to this great city and to one another is informed voting.  Learn the issues, think through potential consequences of various policy decisions, and vote.  We don’t have to agree; we must, however, agree to take this responsibility seriously.  Voting is your opportunity to have a say in the future of your city. 
 
As it relates to the various East Metro races, our East Metro Voter Guide will introduce you to various candidates’ policy positions. The Pioneer Press has run some great articles diving into more detail on the Saint Paul races (School Board, Ward 1, and overview).  Our PAC has endorsed several candidates.  All this information can inform your thinking.  In a discussion about the upcoming election last week, a good friend suggested that we use rank choice voting to our advantage.  You can look at the candidates in the different races, rank them according to the priorities you consider most important, and then select those who, to you, are “acceptable” vs “unacceptable.”  And you can vote accordingly. You don’t have to pick just one.
 
I encourage you to show up and, as always, I’ll see you in the trenches!

​B