"State lawmakers could save themselves time and trouble with the counsel of 21 Minnesotans brought together by the Citizens League to make sense of the state’s vexing disagreement over sustainable transit funding,” exclaimed the Pioneer Press’s editorial board in the...

What does home mean to you? When we’re starting our careers and families, it’s a question we often answer unconsciously as we make in-the-moment life decisions. On the other side of middle age, though, the concept becomes more complex and tends to require more...

In case you missed it, Citizens League Executive Director Sean Kershaw and Citizens League Voice founding editor David Schimke explain why healthy debate is needed now more than ever. "Instead of working together to find the best solutions to our common concerns, too...

The Case For and Against Disruptive Protest Essays by Representative Nick Zerwas, Sarah Janeblum, and Neeraj Mehta. Each quarterly issue of Citizens League Voice will feature a section that involves bringing people together to share their differing opinions on a...

Wilder Foundation’s Community Equity Pipeline helps young leaders of color navigate the state capitol By Adam Wahlberg Walking the grounds and wandering the halls of the Minnesota State Capitol, one can’t help but be awed. Its white marble exterior, influenced by the...

Patty Thorsen’s transit work is highly personal—and effective By Jacqueline White Though her high-rise residence at City Walk Condomini­ums in downtown St. Paul puts her less than a mile from the Minnesota State Capitol building, Patty Thorsen has to draw on her...

Jessica Bell, John Knapp, Damon Shoholm and Kurt Zellers to join Citizens League board in 2018 The Citizens League will welcome four new members to its Board of Directors in 2018. At the Citizens League's Annual Meeting last week, members approved the election of...

By David Schimke A new generation of protesters is becoming increasingly vigilant and disruptive. Lawmakers, citing public safety, are writing legislation to deter their behavior. For many Twin Citians, the week of July 4, 2016, remains seminal. The holiday took place...

By Neeraj Mehta For many people of color, protest isn’t a strategy to be analyzed—it’s a matter of life and death. Any debate or conversation about injustice, problem solving, or social change should begin by acknowledging that we often have different experiences,...

Thanks to all who joined us for this year's Civic Celebration honoring Dr. Josie Johnson and Susan Kimberly! Each year the Citizens League invites its members, partners and others in the community to the Civic Celebration. It’s an opportunity for other politically...

By Rep. Nick Zerwas Why I want to increase penalties for protesters who block traffic Our country relies on the American people to be able to create and have constructive dialogue. Citizens can get involved in their community through communicating with their elected...

By Sarahjane Blum Legislation to address activities that are already illegal chills dissent In late May, some 100 people, led by members of the Dakota community, convened in protest of artist Sam Durant’s sculpture Scaffold, which was being installed in the...

To find ways forward we must make space for quality conversation and healthy debate. Even though I’ve spent over 25 years in public policy, I’m still amazed that policymakers routinely fail to involve citizen stakeholders in the decision-making process. When making...