Wedge LIVE!

A conversation about the chaotic end to the 2024 Minnesota state legislative session with Dan Thomas-Commins, the self-styled parliamentary rules nerd who you might have seen running your local DFL convention. We talk about GOP obstruction; what might explain the DFL's seeming lack of urgency; how literal last minute procedural mistakes cost tens of millions in vital public investments; how the rules are actually whatever these legislative bodies say they are; and why it's ok that the political party in control of the state house, senate and governor's office are able to enact their agenda.

For the second half of the episode we talk about Dan's experience chairing DFL conventions. John asks Dan to imagine if he were recruited by a shadowy US government agency to be part of an elite team of parliamentarians deployed overseas -- how would he weaponize the rules to create mayhem for the deliberative bodies of America's enemies?

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It's the world's first half bike/half scooter mobile podcast episode, with Taylor Dahlin. We are patrolling the streets of Loring Park and downtown Minneapolis on the lookout for scooter scofflaws. We talk about the alleged connection between scooter ridership and crime; Taylor's transportation habits as a year-round, all-seasons scooter commuter; the state of bike and scooter infrastructure in Minneapolis; and so much more. You're won't want to miss the lovely scenery, so catch this episode on our YouTube channel.

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John is joined by Josh Martin to talk about three proposals to amend the Minneapolis City Charter, including a plan to move from odd to even year city elections. Plus: Ilhan Omar's DFL convention win over an underwhelming Don Samuels; and how despite the city's 2040 Plan appeals court victory, only the legislature can save us from endless further litigation.

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There's a linear park in Uptown called "the Mall" that functions more like a parking lot. In 2020, after two years of community engagement, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board adopted a long-range plan that transforms some of the Mall's parking area into actual "forested and green space" and includes additional amenities like a community garden. But now that the plan is about to be implemented, a pair of commissioners elected in 2021 appear determined to scrap the plan in the name of public safety.

For this conversation, John is joined by Melody Hoffmann of https://southwestvoices.news. We talk about the parking concerns and, more urgently, the public safety concerns being used as cover for the parking concerns; why Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner is recommending against a plan he concedes he has never seen; why a park commissioner would discard years of community engagement in the name of listening to the community; how MPRB ordinance prohibits overnight parking on all parkways, including the Mall, which means the thing they're trying to preserve (24 hour residential parking) is not a legal use to begin with.

We're also talking about the latest on the Uber and Lyft saga, now that DFL leaders in the MN House and Senate have come to an agreement with the Minneapolis City Council on pay rates; Metro Transit's new service for disabled riders; and as always some recommendations.

Read John's post here: https://wedgelive.com/plan-to-expand-forested-green-space-in-uptown-at-risk-over-parking-concerns/

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Today, we're talking about people who think Roberts Rules is an acceptable form of bullying. It turns out, shouting "Point of order! Point of order!" over and over again is not an excuse to get up in a parliamentarian's personal space. Our conversation is inspired by Deborah Copperud's recent experience at the Minneapolis DFL City Convention. We talk about what's wrong with the DFL process, some potential solutions, and importantly, why those fixes will never happen. In a surprising twist, we agree the current deeply flawed process is still better than a primary.

John's guests are Conrad Zbikowski, new chair of the Minneapolis DFL, and Deborah Copperud of the new substack "Deborah Copperud Shops at Target."

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Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee

This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Anquam Mahamoud (https://www.anquam62b.com).

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This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Londel French (londelfrench.org).

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This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Bill Emory (billemory.org).

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John is joined by PeggySue Imihy Bean (President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association) and Alex Schieferdecker (also a planner). We're talking about the effort at the state legislature to protect municipal comprehensive plans from bad-faith environmental lawsuits (contact your state legislators!). The group of wealthy pretend environmentalists currently holding up the Minneapolis 2040 plan in court - over too much housing density - could be a sign of things to come for every city in the region. Not only is this potentially costly for cities who can't afford it, it has the potential to distort the process and discourage thoughtful and thorough long-range planning. The world's climate scientists agree that dense pedestrianized cities are good for the environment, allowing people to use less energy and driving less. PeggySue explains how comprehensive plans are already a form of environmental review. And as she wrote in a recent Star Tribune opinion, the tools available for environmental review in Minnesota are intended for specific projects or sites, not for speculative visions of the future, like citywide comprehensive plans. Alex notes that what's missing from the discussion and the court record is that the 2040 Plan isn't solely about housing density - it's about planning for stormwater runoff and a less car-centric transportation system. While a dozen of the state's realest environmental organizations (like Sierra Club) have signed on to fix state law, the plaintiffs in the anti-2040 case were created for the sole purpose of this lawsuit (and are represented by a lawyer who typically represents big polluters). We talk about how the Moorhead, MN and Washington state examples (of places that use environmental review for their comprehensive plans) are bad ones. And much, much more.

It also comes to light during this episode that PeggySue is draining my small business of cash by purchasing her Wedge LIVE apparel through ad links, wiping out my already thin margins - so it's more important than ever to support Wedge LIVE (patreon.com/wedgelive).

PeggySue's Star Tribune opinion: https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-from-an-urban-planning-perspective-2040-dispute-is-mystifying-worrisome/600348208/

Please only use the direct link to the Wedge LIVE store, never an ad: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WedgeLIVE

Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive

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Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive

Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee

Melody Hoffman (southwestvoices.news) joins us for a conversation about serious allegations made against a US mail carrier in southwest Minneapolis. Witnesses recount a series of assaults that ultimately ended a beloved neighborhood turkey's life. First, an attack with a shovel. Then a brutal hit-and-run attack with a mail truck.

We also talk about: Uber and Lyft threatening to leave Minneapolis, or the metro area entirely, due to the recently passed pay increase; the war of words between Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty; reopening Nicollet Ave at Lake St where the old Kmart stood; and John reminds people about the race for the MN House in 61A and reflects on his recent conversations with the candidates. Plus, Melody makes friends with the publisher of a Longfellow neighborhood newsletter.

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Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive

Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee