Wedge LIVE!

John and Josh Martin have teamed up for the 2023 city election year to cover Minneapolis DFL conventions in all 13 wards. In this episode we recap what's happened so far (aside from Ward 5, whose convention endorsed incumbent Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw after we recorded). What did we learn in wards 3 and 12? Why was the Ward 5 convention cancelled? Josh takes his pundit hat off in Ward 8 (his home ward). John remixes Mayor Frey's "state of the city" address to a classic song. We ponder crime stats and what Mayor Frey is calling the "downtown rebound." Will Josh take the mayor's advice and return to work in the office downtown on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays? We talk about the what's next for the Charter Commission on government structure (more appointment power for the mayor?). John celebrates the unanimous Planning Commission decision to legalize corner stores. The city's rent stabilization work group produced an unwanted result for rent stabilization opponents, but it did serve as a successful delay tactic. At John's urging, Josh reveals a piece of himself and forms a bond with the audience.

Follow Josh Martin on Twitter: @JoshMartinMpls

Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive

John's conversation with Marcus Mills, who's running for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 3. Marcus is also the winner of a recent contest and the prize was coming on the Wedge LIVE podcast. Congratulations, Marcus.

For this very important episode about transit funding, John has a conversation with Peter Wagenius, legislative director at the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. You may have heard about the Minnesota House version of a transportation bill that passed with a .75% metro area sales tax. Peter explains why a sales tax targeted at the metro area is the smart way to fund transit and how legislative inaction going back to 2013 has left us playing catch up. That ongoing source of revenue for transit is essential to fully funding reliable, frequent bus rapid transit service in the Twin Cities region. As the Minnesota Senate takes up their version of a transportation bill with just a .5% sales tax, you and your suburban friends and family need to be calling your state senators. Transportation is Minnesota's number 1 source of climate pollution. We know electrification won't save us. Vehicle miles traveled are rising faster than our population. Car dominance is creating equity and livability concerns. With the DFL controlling the House, Senate, and the Governor's office, Peter says now's the time: "Climate, equity, public health, it's all served by making this happen."

John's conversation with Council Member Elliott Payne, who's running for re-election to the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 1.

Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive

John's conversation with Jonathon Stalls, author of "Walk: Slow Down, Wake Up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour." It's a book about the power of walking: for physical, mental, and community health; to forge human connection; as a force for creativity; as a way to stay connected to nature; and as a human right that needs to be defended politically.

John's conversation with Council Member Aisha Chughtai, who's running for re-election to the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 10.

John is joined by Melody Hoffmann from Southwest Voices for a conversation about the city's last minute changes to the Bryant Ave South reconstruction project. Other topics: a shortage of farmers markets, money in local politics, the latest outrages affecting the people of the lakes area, a dramatic reading of comments from the Bryant Avenue reconstruction meeting, and Melody's vegetable characters (possibly related to Christian fundamentalism).

You can find Melody's work at https://southwestvoices.news

Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive

John's conversation with Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, who's running for re-election to the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 5.

In an episode inspired by Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, John is joined by Andi Snow of SWOP Mpls (Sex Workers Outreach Project) for a conversation about sex work, the distinction between sex work and "trafficking," and the policy agenda her group is advocating for here in Minneapolis and across the state of Minnesota.

John is joined by Jason Garcia and Taylor Dahlin for a fond look back at more than 100 episodes of the Wedge LIVE podcast - and a look forward at some of the challenges facing Minneapolis in this year's city council election.