1. Homelessness has become a great stain in Minneapolis, as well as the state of Minnesota. Nearly 13,000 people each night, half of which are children, are homeless. With our shelters and other emergency services at capacity, it leaves little alternatives for those who are homeless. In the short term, we must be clear eyed about the fact that those who are homeless would not be currently violating ordinances if they had a choice. They are doing so because they don’t have alternatives. We must do a better job of providing spaces for those who are homeless to be.
2. I do support an adjustment to the MFIP program. It hasn’t been adjusted for more than a decade. However, it is my understanding that the legislature is currently entertaining a proposal to do just that. I believe that adjustment will be beneficial to thousands of families. I do support an increase to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We must make sure that work is rewarded. Any program that guarantees some form of income, in my opinion, must be tied to citizens working or going to school to obtain the skills they need to be successful. In regards to healthcare, we are currently waiting for the full implementation of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Before we consider implementation of a single payer system, I believe it’s important for this new program to take effect. In Minnesota, the Governor just finalized and appointed members to Minnesota’s new health care exchange, MNSure. Businesses, health care providers, insurers and patients have been preparing for this change for more than three years. We need to give more time for this program to take full effect and see what the impacts are before we consider implementing a single payer health care system.
3. The foreclosure crisis has severely impacted Minneapolis. No council member understands that better than I do. My ward has been ravaged by foreclosures. I understand the need to have action taken. Foreclosure is a complicated issue. It is my understanding that nearly all of the laws governing foreclosure are through state and federal laws as well as contractual agreements. However, something must be done. A review of the possible use of eminent domain is something I think may be worth considering. In addition, as Mayor, I would ask the legislature to take up some type of Homeowners Bill of Rights legislation, focused on keeping people in their homes.
4. The state of Minnesota has the legal authority, whenever it wants, to override local laws and charters. It was clear to me that this was going to be the case with respect to the referendum. So instead of spending my energy shouting at the wind, I worked to ensure that the deal went through in a way that ensured Minneapolis would get the best deal possible, that minority participation was up to standard, and that we were bringing badly needed jobs into the community to help us on the road to economic recovery.
5. I will seek the endorsement of any organization that is screening candidates for Mayor, within reason. While no candidates or organizations will agree 100% of the time, I believe it is important to have dialogue and discussions with all groups. I will convey my opinions and plans honestly, and it is up to those organizations to decide if my beliefs fit with their goals and perspectives.
6. It is my view that we should not use any more police resources for assisting in foreclosures than is legally required of us by the state and federal government. I have no intention of providing additional protections for banks, which already have excessive protections and unwarranted privileges. They will not receive any more assist than I am legally required to give, as Mayor.
7. I think we have an opportunity to have a discussion that we rarely have the opportunity to have. We are close to the end of our contract with Xcel and Centerpoint, and I believe we should have a discussion about the energy options available to city residents. If we find that there are alternative energy options that provide a better source of reliable, affordable energy, then we should consider it. But the discussion should be driven by data, and right now we don’t have the data to back up a decision either way.
8. While it is clear that Minneapolis has experienced isolated acts of brutality and a history of inequality in how laws have been enforced, I do not believe the City needs a federal investigation. I know the City is making great strides to empower the Civil Rights Department and protect our communities of color, because as Chair of the Public Safety and Civil Rights Committee I have helped lead some of these changes. That is why I am glad to have earned the endorsement of the City of Minneapolis’ Civil Rights Director, Velma Korbel. I have gotten to know many of our law enforcement officers through my work, and the reality is that the vast majority are good people, doing a difficult job. I won’t demonize the entire police force because of a few bad apples, just to score cheap political points.
9. No. I believe that the traditional Minneapolis Police Department can protect the residents of our city without needing military style weapons.
10. I think this is an issue that I would need to learn more about. But before making a decision, I think the City should look at what the costs associated with mandating police carry personal insurance would be (especially to the vast majority of officers who will never cause any problems), compared to the current costs for pay outs for police misconduct.
11. There are not any circumstances that I can think of.
12. I believe these are all important ways we can support urban farming. I would want to seek further advice and input from public health officials on potential health implications with regard to chicken farming before that is something I could fully support.
13. Housing and the affordability of housing is a critical issue. Currently, Minneapolis only has a vacancy rate of about 2.5%, which is extremely low. This low vacancy rate makes rental property for everyone much more expensive. I think we should ease the ordinances around permitting for housing development. More housing developments in the City will make housing more affordable and give residents more options. In addition, I do support easing ordinances around SRO’s for the purpose of alleviating the homelessness crisis in our community. Finally, we must be able to obtain our fair share of the roughly $76 Million on state funds at the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Those funds could help establish more housing trust funds and rehabilitate dilapidated housing.
14. The most pressing issue our city faces, long term, is the achievement gap. If we do not solve this problem, it will literally destroy the economic and cultural soul of our city. We must be focused on obtaining better outcomes, asking ourselves the tough questions each and every day. I will be the children’s Mayor. For too long, our achievement gap has been the stain on our city’s great image. We can do better. But it will take leadership. I will be unlike any Mayor in city history. I will engage the school board and community at large in a broader conversation about what it will take to get all of our children to succeed. That is my promise as Mayor.
15. My vision for Minneapolis is to bring it’s opportunities to every ward; every corner; every neighborhood. As mayor, I will help make this happen by focusing on three critical areas; Economic Opportunity, Education and Community Safety. As a former small business owner with 27 years of experience in the private sector, I know how to create economic opportunity and ensure it is accessible to all who are seeking it. As the founder of an organization focused on peace, nonviolence and conflict resolution, I understand how to engage all members of our community to make sure we can get guns off our streets and bring harmony to all neighborhoods. And finally, I know how to get results from our education system because my wife and I have committed our lives to its cause. She sees it each and every day with the great outcomes of her organization, the North side Achievement Zone. I believe I have the experience, skills and courage to make this vision a reality. I ask for your vote November 5th, 2013.
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