Next week’s elections on Tuesday, November 4th, are very important. I think we are often too focused on national elections when local elections can have a huge impact on our daily lives.

In addition to voting for a new mayor, there are other important issues on the ballot, and I want to bring one of them to your attention:

St. Paul City Question 1 is on the ballot as a referendum in St. Paul on November 4, 2025.

I’ll be voting no on this. I don’t believe the city should have the power to issue administrative citations (fines). My opinion is based on how the city handles building code enforcement by registering homes occupied by seniors as “vacant”.  Code and ordinance enforcement in St. Paul is compliance-driven and not always fair or equal.

“This referendum would either retain or repeal Ordinance Ord. 25-2, which was signed into law by the St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter (DFL) in January of 2025.

Ordinance Ord. 25-2 authorized the St. Paul City Council to impose civil penalties or administrative fines for violations of city ordinances as an alternative to criminal citations. Individuals accused of violations must receive notice and have an opportunity to appeal before any penalty takes effect. The appeals process allows for the consideration of a person’s financial circumstances. Under the ordinance, district courts are also granted jurisdiction to enforce unpaid civil penalties.^[1]

I am not in favor of this ordinance, which expands the city’s power. I base my opinion on decades of experience with the city. I do not think our current system of enforcement can be administered fairly. I have seen what happens when the city piles on fine after fine that property owners can not pay. The fines are assessed to property taxes, and the owner ultimately ends up in foreclosure. This feels so wrong.

The City of St. Paul struggles to manage trash collection systems. I can not imagine how giving them more power would end well for St. Paul residents.

Please vote no on St. Paul City Question 1.