Caught this headline in the Pioneer Press this morning: St. Paul, Minneapolis Council Members Plan a Rare Joint Meeting.
The story is online, but you need to register to access it, at: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/10149029.htm As a current St. Paulite with deep connections to Minneapolis (work, my kid, schools, etc.), I say "it's about time!" I'm always baffled by how much the two cities are more a region than divided cities, and I'd like to see much more cooperation between the two, especially on issues of state funding and transit (despicable currently except for the 16 and 21 bus lines, which is not saying much). Huzzahs to CM Benson, who appears to be the Minneapolis CM driving this. >From the story: All seven St. Paul council members are planning to venture across the river Dec. 9 to confer with their counterparts on the Minneapolis council. The session aims to achieve ends both practical and symbolic. On the practical side, the councils intend to talk about issues they can jointly support during next year's state legislative session, such as changes to property tax law and funding for mass transit in the University Avenue corridor. "It's a pretty powerful statement when Minneapolis and St. Paul can get together on some pretty important issues," said St. Paul Council Member Lee Helgen, chairman of a council legislative affairs committee. Minneapolis Council Member Scott Benson called the planned meeting long overdue. "This is a great opportunity to sit down and say, 'We have a lot of common interests and we should pursue them together at the state Legislature," said Benson, chairman of the Minneapolis council's Committee on Intergovernmental Relations. Gregory Luce St. Paul or East Minneapolis, depending on perspective REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
