Financial
Historically, communities across the country use police and punitive approaches as the primary tools to address health and social issues. This results in the funneling of millions of people, especially black and brown communities, into jails and prisons. Nationwide protests over police accountability and racial justice have reenergized longstanding efforts to fundamentally change how police departments respond to social issues that include mental illness, substance use, homelessness, community violence, and poverty. There have been increased calls and efforts…
Read MoreLast year , the MNPS budget had many firsts. First budget to ever exceed $1 billion. And for the first time ever, MNPS teachers because the best paid in the state. This year, the mayor added an additional $91 million to MNPS. However, this summer’s conversation by the state about things like “BEP” and “TISA” created a lot of confusion and anxiety about the MNPS FY23 budget. The questions are: What is TISA? What is…
Read MoreHello, everyone. It’s hard to believe its already another budget season. The FY23 season started with the Mayor’s State of Metro address. On May 14, I was joined by my colleague and former Budget Chair – CM Bob Mendes as we took a deeper dive into the mayor’s budget. Below is a summary of our conversation. From 1980-to 2005, the city raised the tax rate every three or four years. This allowed the city to…
Read MoreToday is my last day as the Chair of the Metro Council Affordable Housing Committee for fiscal year 2021. I am grateful to the Vice Mayor for the opportunity to chair the committee. Thanks to the administration, the Metro Council and Metro staff for the support. I appreciate the many individuals and agencies that are working on this issue on a regular basis (Metro Action Commission, MDHA, Housing Commission, Social Services, nonprofit organizations, builders, etc).…
Read MoreOn Saturday, June 26, I held my final FY 22 Budget Conversation with some help from former council member Fabian Bedne. This conversation was particularly exciting for me because we discussed something that I value dearly: participatory budgeting. As some of you may know, my entire council campaign revolved around two key pillars, one of which was the implementation of some version of community budgeting, the other being education. So, I am happy to report…
Read More