3rd Ward News with Council Member Michael Rainville: Week of Dec. 12
Message from Council Member Rainville
Welcome to a snowy winter,
After two years of low snowfall, Minneapolis has already declared two snow emergencies. To keep current on snow emergency rules and get notified when they are declared, you can sign up for text and email alerts.
The 2026 budget has been set. In our budget discussions, I have continually spoken of the need to lower the rate of property tax increases. While the increase in 2026 was lowered from 13% to 8%, it is unsustainable. I continue to advocate for low and fixed income residents who are being forced out of Minneapolis. Every renter and homeowner is paying more for housing, not to mention the rising prices of insurance, utilities, energy, and food. Our 3rd Ward office will begin identifying areas in the City budget where spending can be reduced when we return to work in January.
The truth is the City has to tighten its budget just as every resident has had to do. Please send our office your ideas on where the City can cut the budget. One area I will continue to work on is having the County respond to the need for more supportive housing and social service delivery. The State also continues to benefit from receiving over $700 million in sales tax revenue from Minneapolis, while returning only $81.7 million in local government aid to the City. Minneapolis sales tax dollars are supporting all of Minnesota and the State has a moral obligation to return more of these dollars to us.
With the last Council meeting of the year behind us, we will be packing up the 3rd Ward office next week. When a new Council President is elected, they will assign offices to everyone. While we are working remotely, we will be checking emails and returning calls, but we will not be able to answer the office phone when you call.
Last week the Basilica choir led by Lee Munnich and the Ard Godfrey House Committee led by Aileen Johnson hosted a wonderful open house with Christmas caroling at the Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square.
As I end the last newsletter of the year, Henry, Patrick and I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.
Your neighbor,
Michael
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