Finding a Green Way to Govern

I am surprised and concerned about the recent media flurry (both mass and social media) resulting from a few limited social media actions taken by one first term Council Member in Minneapolis. I certainly acknowledge that individuals and media outlets of all types have every right to engage in discussions about what should and should not be public and I share concerns about any individual, elected or not, whose family or personal safety is threatened. But I hope we can resist the inclination to let this distract us from the more critical and more complex story about systemic racism in our city, state and county, that we so desperately need to understand and analyze. Our democracy may well depend on it. The future of our society may depend on it. Black lives certainly depend on it. Let me be clear, I share Council Member Cano’s commitment to justice and combating the implicit and explicit racism that plagues our city and larger society. But this is not about me or about any ...

What Should the Ward 2 Priorities be for 2016? I believe that 2016 offers enormous potential for the city to show leadership in addressing some of the most pressing and serious issues of our time, including environmental degradation and climate change; racial disparities in health, education and employment; criminal justice and police reform; the widening income gaps and shrinking middle class and much more.  Below, in alphabetical order, is our working draft of 16 priorities for 2016 .  Please take a moment to read through and think about them.  Then, let me know what you think is missing, what’s there that shouldn’t be and which of the ones remaining you think should be top priorities for next year. Affordable, Fair, Decent Housing for All – Support preservation of existing affordable housing and construction of new affordable housing. Explore ways to better support public housing that serves those most in need. Regulate the inclusion of affordable hous...

I was surprised today when the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Emergency Management Committee voted to take public comment on what is happening at the 4th precinct. While I appreciate that members of the public were able to address a Council Committee on the situation at the 4th precinct today and voted to allow it, I was very concerned and confused about the timing and the motivation. The comment period was added at the last minute (during the Committee meeting) to an agenda that had been set days before. There was no general notice to the general public about the opportunity, although it appeared that a few people knew about it before hand. So, we allowed some members of our community, and the Police Federation president, to address the committee and have their views broadcast, without giving other members of our community any notice that this opportunity would be occurring. I am certain that many people throughout the city would have made time to come and speak on this topic. ...

In August Mayor Hodges gave her budget address, Transforming the Basics of the Twenty-First Century City , and outlined initiatives and priorities for next year’s spending.  I was glad to see the Mayor continue to emphasize equity and  embed  it clearly into the general health of our city, “Our work to grow the city and grow it well into the future is indistinguishable from our work to make sure life outcomes are not determined by zip code, race or current class status. Out brightest future and out best hope to become the city we are meant to be are in doing this work inside the context of that reality.”  I commend the Mayor for clearly identifying climate change, racial and economic injustice, the need for transportation alternatives and preparing for a new kind of economic future as areas demanding our focus. As she put it “We have entered a time when we are being asked to face and meet the changes of the twenty-first century: the warming of our atmospher...

Dear Local Progress Members, We write with an urgent update and a plea for solidarity. Last night in Minneapolis, at a protest for racial justice, three people, with their faces covered, were reported to use racial slurs and then shot peaceful protesters, injuring five separate victims. Indiscriminate violence, which could have resulted in a person’s death, was perpetrated in the name of hatred and bigotry. We are thankful for quick work to arrest two perpetrators and hope that soon all will be in custody, charged with a hate crime and domestic terrorism or to the fullest extent of the law. Black lives matter. And our need to speak out against white supremacy and white privilege, bias and hatred, has never been greater. This is where we, as progressive local elected officials from around the country, can stand in solidarity – silence on this subject is statement in itself. We can speak out in our conversations with each other. We can speak out at the Thanksgiving dinner tabl...

I am deeply disturbed by the violence that occurred last night at the 4th precinct. It is totally unacceptable and must not - and WILL not - be tolerated. I have heard from the Police Department that two of the people suspected of being responsible have been arrested. This is very good news, and I look forward to the persons responsible being held accountable for their violent actions. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the MPD for working so quickly and effectively  to make this arrest. Now more than ever we need to be united as a people, as a government standing arm in arm with those most impacted by this violence, to protect one another, ensure that all of us are safe, that the violence is stopped, that people’s rights - including the right to speak to their government, loudly and forcefully, for redress of grievances - are preserved. Then, united and safe, we can move together, to find the truth and see that there is justice and healing, for Jamar Clark, his fami...

In light of the recently proposed “Working Families Agenda” we, as a city, are deeply engaged in a much needed discussion about fair work practices in Minneapolis.  As we drill down into the details of what basic standards for fair scheduling and paid time off should be, let’s keep our focus on the bigger picture.  It's no secret: our economy is increasingly rigged in favor of the very rich   It ’ s no secret: young adults are struggling harder than ever to gain economic independence when faced with steadily rising costs of housing, education and health care.  It ’ s no secret : Minneapolis is home to the worst racial employment and income disparities in the nation.   Not only are more and more poor workers, young workers, single parents and workers of color not keeping up, their incomes are actually falling.  This is especially true for our black workers as you can see here and here . We live in a thriving c ity that works ...

News from Cam Gordon Council Member, Second Ward http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ward2 http://secondward.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/camgordonward2 Tobacco Ordinance.  The Council has unanimously adopted the tobacco regulation ordinance changes I authored with my colleague Blong Yang.  These changes will become effective on January 1, 2016 and set a minimum price of $2.60 per stick for cigar products, (which currently sell for as little as three for 99 cents) and prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products except at specialty, adult only, tobacco shops (stores for which tobacco accounts for over 90% of what they sell). This ordinance was based on the recommendations of our Youth Congress that these types of tobacco products are the most common entry point into tobacco use and nicotine addiction for our youth.  I want to thank the advocates – especially the youth – and our Health Department staff for making this ordinance change possible. Protected Bi...