Making Sense of This Year’s Transportation Budget Bill
With an overbuilt highway system, Minnesota needs legislators willing to invest in safe, affordable transit that is far-reaching and forward-looking.
Category: Policy
How St. Paul Can Re-Legalize Small Commercial Development
St. Paul may be ready to relax its prohibitions on neighborhood commercial buildings. Here’s how it could get over the finish line.
How St. Paul’s Commercial Zoning Rules Hamper the City
Beyond negative impacts on walkability, restrictive commercial zoning inhibits incremental development and raises barriers for small, independent developers in St. Paul.
The 2025 Legislative Wrap-up
Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session was chaotic from start to finish. Let’s chat with our favorite advocacy organizations about what we accomplished.
Allow Corner Stores and Coffee Shops in St. Paul’s Residential Zones
It’s illegal to build corner stores and other small commercial spaces in most of St. Paul, thanks to decades-old zoning codes. That should change.
Minneapolis Has More Households Than Ever Before
Minneapolis’ population is increasing, but its housing needs are increasing even faster. Why? More individual households need more individual spaces.
Street Views: The Road to Climate Accountability
Minnesota passed bold climate legislation last year, a model for the nation. This session, Republican legislators are trying to bury it.
Street Views: Transit Without Displacement
No one likes road construction, but too often mass transit projects unfairly take the blame for inconveniences to traffic and local businesses.
Street Views: A Digest of Transportation Bills
The Minnesota Legislature has transit and active-transportation advocates playing defense — but they’re still moving exciting new initiatives forward.
How We Would Improve St. Paul’s CIB Process
Rather than simply complain about the complicated, arcane (and poorly named) CIB process in St. Paul, our authors suggest ways to improve it.