An interview with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter after his first year in office: “There was a moment where we felt like every time we thought we were done, there was another detail that we had to figure out. We did that thinking process together. We did it publicly through the Citizens League task force, we did it publicly through a series of public engagement events.” — Pioneer Press, 12/31/2018

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signs $15 minimum wage ordinance into law: “To support the development of St. Paul’s $15 minimum wage ordinance, the Citizens League conducted a two-phase process that resulted in a set of recommendations to the City. This process started in the fall of 2017 and was completed in August 2018.” — Insight News, 11/19/2018

Editorial: Count the consequences, good and bad alike: “The Citizens League project this year to explore the matter, impressive if not perfect, went a long way toward making sure that opposing concerns at least were on the table. Along with the honest interest of city officials, it produced a more deliberate, more rational, more informed approach to concerns that didn’t fit the ideological narrative — and thus produced a tempered, more reasonable ordinance.” — Pioneer Press Editorial Board, 11/18/2018

St. Paul passes landmark minimum wage law: “A report drafted by the Citizens League outlined some concerns surrounding the new ordinance. ” — Tommie Media, 11/16/2018

St. Paul City Council passes $15 minimum wage, and mayor signs it: “Over the summer, the Citizens League led a minimum wage study committee and released a final report that recommended the City Council approve a $15 minimum wage.” — Star Tribune, 11/14/2018

St. Paul mayor signs $15 minimum wage into law. A growing number of cities are doing this. — Pioneer Press, 11/14/2018

Some wiping away tears, 992 of Minnesota’s newest citizens take their Oath of Allegiance: “Angelica Klebsch, a spokeswoman for the Citizen’s League, gave the group a pep talk. ‘You’re coming at an intense time in the United States,’ she said, calling the nation ‘politically charged.’ She urged them to get involved.”— Pioneer Press, 11/13/2018

The best way to a $15 minimum wage for St. Paul: “Like Minneapolis, St. Paul plans to raise the wage incrementally and the city council asked the Citizens League to conduct a study about the best way to go about it.” — Interview with B Kyle, co-chair of the Citizens League’s Minimum Wage Study Committee, and president of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, MPRNews, 9/20/2018

Restaurant workers hold competing rallies over counting tips in minimum-wage plan: “At the request of the St. Paul City Council, the non-partisan Citizens League convened a 14-week study committee that drew up three ways the city could approach a citywide $15 minimum wage, rolled out within four-to-seven years.” — PioneerPress, 9/17/2018

‘Tip credit’ or flat rate? Minimum wage debate continues in St. Paul: “[Including a tip credit is] one of the options included, at least temporarily, among the recommendations in a report issued earlier this month by the St. Paul-based Citizens League. Other options are so-called ‘one wage’ alternatives that would cover both tipped and non-tipped employees, phased in over a varying number of years.” — MPRNews, 9/17/2018

What we know — and don’t know — about a $15 minimum wage ordinance for St. Paul: “The [minimum wage] report includes three different ways St. Paul officials could move forward raising the city’s minimum wage, and Citizens League representatives presented them to the St. Paul City Council for the first time this week.” — MinnPost, 9/14/2018

St. Paul officials hammering out details on $15 minimum wage proposal: “Last week, the nonpartisan Citizens League released a 446-page report that had been commissioned by the St. Paul Foundation. It concludes that base pay in the city should be $15 an hour indexed to inflation, and that the minimum should phased in over four to seven years. ” — MPRNews, 9/13/2018

St. Paul City Council hears passionate public comments on proposed $15 minimum wage: “At the request of the council, the Citizens League recently published a report outlining three ways St. Paul could implement a $15 minimum wage citywide, for businesses of all sizes, within seven years or less. ” — Pioneer Press, 9/12/2018

St. Paul Council, Community Members to Weigh In on Minimum Wage Hike: “Non-profit organization Citizens League has developed three recommendations for how the city can raise the minimum wage.” — KSTP, 9/12/2018

St. Paul private colleges fret over $15 minimum wage for work-study students: “Students employed in work-study jobs work about 7.5 hours a week and earn an average wage of about $10.40 an hour, according to a recent report on the wage issue by the Citizens League.” — Star Tribune, 9/12/2018

St. Paul has New Recommendations on Raising Minimum Wage: “The Citizens League put together a 21-member committee, with a diverse group of business and community leaders, which prepared a lengthy report for the City Council to now consider.” — KSTP, 9/11/2018

3 options in play for St. Paul employers to get to $15 minimum wage: “At the request of the St. Paul City Council, the Citizens League recently completed a report outlining how the city might implement a $15 minimum wage.” — Pioneer Press, 9/10/2018

Editorial: Great report. Exhibit A for why the city shouldn’t set wages: “The Citizens League and this committee did useful and good work. They, the foundations that supported them and the city deserve credit for recognizing the potential for unintended ill effects.” — Pioneer Press Editorial Board, 9/9/2018

Citizens League report recommends St. Paul adopt a $15 minimum wage: “The St. Paul Minimum Wage Study Committee, led by the nonpartisan Citizens League, is suggesting three options to achieve a $15 minimum wage within seven years.” — StarTribune, 9/7/2018

Citizens League outlines three $15 minimum wage scenarios for St. Paul, with and without tip credits: “After 14 weeks of study, the Citizens League has released a series of recommendations that spell out three different ways the city of St. Paul could institute a $15 minimum wage ” — Pioneer Press, 8/31/2018

B Kyle: St. Paul’s $15-minimum-wage committee was full of surprises: “The Citizens League process somehow felt more democratic because all voices were heard, no matter how quiet, no matter how distinct, and those positions were valued and acknowledged. Don’t get me wrong – a lot of us disagreed with a lot of what others were saying; but that was OK. I appreciated that, too..” — Pioneer Press Commentary, 8/19/2018

Immigrant workers, business owners say $15 an hour could make all the difference — for better or worse: “A task force assembled by the Citizen’s League is studying wide-ranging recommendations around how quickly to raise wages and what, if any, businesses to exempt.” — Pioneer Press, 7/21/2018

Citizens League to honor Richard Davis at 2018 Civic Celebration: “Richard Davis embodies the values of civic leadership that the Citizens League promotes as an organization.” — Citizens League Press Release, 7/17/2018

Squaring off over freeway protests: “The [Rep. John] Lesch-[Rep. Nick] Zerwas debate was the first in what [David] Schimke hopes will be a series of Citizens League debates patterned after his magazine’s “A Good Debate” section. “We want to use format to make people think about new ideas,” Schimke said.” — Minnesota Lawyer, 7/2/2018

Momentum builds for $15 minimum wage in St. Paul: “The nonpartisan Citizens League, which the St. Paul Foundation brought on to study the potential effects of a citywide minimum wage, has convened a committee to discuss what the minimum wage should be, if any exemptions should be made, how tipped workers will be affected and how the increase should be phased in. They’re expected to make recommendations to the city by the end of the summer.” — Star Tribune, 6/28/2018

Interview with Inonge Mubita, 2018 Capital Pathways intern: “For the third year in a row, Fresh Energy served as a host organization during the past legislative session for the Capitol Pathways program. With the long-term goal of making Minnesota’s government truly representative of our communities, the program opens access to the state capitol to the next generation of leaders of color. Fresh Energy is proud to have been involved with Capitol Pathways as a host since the program was created in 2016.” — Fresh Energy, 6/20/2018

Interview with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter: “We’ve embarked upon a pretty heavy community-engagement process around [a minimum wage] policy, with the Citizens League. I’m excited to help develop that policy in partnership with our city council, in partnership with the Citizens League, in partnership with folks who are on that task force, and all the people who plug into that task force process. We have a lot of questions to figure out, and that task force is tasked with coming up with a set of recommendations around that.” — MPRNews, 6/12/2018 (statement at the 40:00 mark)

Should St. Paul Raise Its Minimum Wage?: “‘This is definitely a work in progress,’ said Angelica Klebsch, the police director of the Citizens League. ‘The city is being very particular about how it writes this ordinance so there aren’t as many unintended consequences as other cities might have seen.’ — WCCO News, 6/7/2018

Public can weigh in on St. Paul minimum wage this summer: “At public input sessions this summer, the Citizens League, a nonpartisan group studying a minimum-wage increase in St. Paul, will collect data and solicit feedback on the second half of its report to the city. Part 1 was presented to the City Council in February.” — Star Tribune, 5/29/2018

St. Paul Parks and Rec would be hit hardest by $15-an-hour minimum“The city recently asked the Citizens League to study the impact of a potential citywide minimum wage increase on St. Paul employers.” — Pioneer Press, 5/21/2018

In first State of City address, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter talks wages, police, gun violence: ”Together, the mayor and the council will determine how best to increase the citywide minimum wage based in part on recommendations from the Citizens League, which will be compiled this summer with the help of a committee of workers, business owners and civic leaders.” — Pioneer Press, 5/19/2018

Council member representing the most small businesses is torn over $15-an-hour minimum: “I really trust the Citizens League process. They are uniformly well respected. They did their due diligence in phase one just to design the study. I’m pleased with the Citizens League process.” — Pioneer Press, 5/19/2018

Edina approves steps to address ‘long-term racial inequities’: “Edina’s Race and Equity initiative was comprised of 30 community members, eight of whom were on the task force, according to the report. Conversations were facilitated through the Citizens League, though the policymaking nonprofit did not contribute to the recommendations.” — Star Tribune, 5/15/2018

League embarks on in-depth study of minimum wage hike: “Committee members were selected by the Citizens League to represent a wide array of perspectives on the wage issue.” — Villager, 5/9/2018

Commentary: It’s time for an accountable Metropolitan Council: “Look no further for a history of today’s Metropolitan Council, and the now 51-year-old controversy that threatens its mission, than these two sentences and the words “elected by popular vote.” They’re on page three of a Feb. 9, 1967 Citizen’s League report recommending the Minnesota Legislature create a governing body to bring order to an emerging metropolitan community. ” — Prior Lake American, 5/12/2018

St. Paul asks Citizens League to complete second study on $15 minimum wage: “The Citizens League completed an initial report in February that included an overview of literature and studies related to minimum wage increases, as well as interviews with St. Paul workers and business owners. ” — Pioneer Press, 4/26/2018

Why, amid the push for higher minimum wages, talking about a ‘benefits cliff’ has become so controversial: “On Wednesday, the council likely will approve a second phase of the Citizens League work, which will include economic analysis of St. Paul and the appointment of a committee to consider key questions about implementing a new wage, questions around timing, phasing, and whether a tip credit should be included. According to [Pahoua] Hoffman, it will also include analysis of the impacts on public assistance benefits.” — MinnPost, 4/25/2018

Video: Catching up with Capitol Pathways alum Adrian Benjamin: TPT Almanac’s David Gillette caught up with Capitol Pathways 2016 alum Adrian Benjamin, now a Legislative Assistant with the Minnesota House DFL caucus. Adrian credits Capitol Pathways in broadening his networks and opening doors that led to opportunities in state government. Click to watch the video segment.

Discovering Ambiguity: Profile of Pahoua Hoffman & Citizens League: “The work of the Citizens League goes beyond highlighting the agency of each individual. It’s about creating a sense of ownership, a sense that we each have a responsibility and vested interest in bettering the world and environment in which we live.” — The Idealect, 4/15/2018

Great Plains Institute: Capitol Pathways Intern at GPI: “The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is thrilled to again serve as a host organization for the Capitol Pathways internship program. Organized by the Citizens League, the program “opens access to the Minnesota Capitol to the next generation of leaders of color.” The long-term goal is to make government truly representative of the communities it serves.” — Great Plains Institute, 4/9/2018

Found in Translation: Fireside Chat with Citizens League Executive Director Pahoua Hoffman: “As the newly appointed executive director of the Citizens League — a nonpartisan organization that engages Minnesotans of all ideologies in policymaking — Pahoua reflects back at her time as a translator and sees strong parallels to her new role: taking what she knows and helping people make their own decisions, just as she did for her parents years ago.” — Your Studio/E, 2/26/2018

Solving Community Issues Requires Community Voice: “In 2017, we commissioned a report by the Citizens League – Gathering Community Input on a Possible Minimum Wage Increase in St. Paul. What we appreciate about the Citizens League is that the organization brings together people with a variety of perspectives and points of view in a safe place where they can have a real conversation. When trying to solve community issues, positive discourse is necessary.” — The Saint Paul & Minnesota Community Foundations, 2/23/2018

In report on effects of St. Paul minimum-wage hike, echoes of Minneapolis debate: “[Citizens League] report was based not just on statistics but on listening sessions and interviews conducted by league staff with workers and employers, unions and industry associations, nonprofits and advocacy organizations. ” — MinnPost, 2/22/2018

St. Paul City Council hears first report on minimum wage hike: “About 50 people attended the first of what will likely be many meetings on the minimum wage issue Wednesday, as council members heard a report on potential effects of a wage hike from the nonpartisan Citizens League.” — Star Tribune, 2/21/2018

‘$15 Now’ advocates rally after report presented to St. Paul council: “Would a hefty increase to St. Paul’s minimum wage help lift her out poverty, or reduce her hours? Would an increase to her income mean she no longer qualifies for certain public assistance programs? At the request of the St. Paul Foundation, the nonpartisan Citizens League spent two months exploring those topics and others. [Executive Director Pahoua Yang] Hoffman presented a compilation of studies to the [Saint Paul City] council Wednesday, setting the stage for a nuanced discussion about likely changes to St. Paul’s minimum-wage policies.” — Pioneer Press, 2/21/2018

New report on minimum wage in St. Paul lays out the stakes: “As city officials contemplate if and how to raise the minimum wage, a new report from the Citizen’s League compiles key studies on the issue. The St. Paul Foundation commissioned the non-partisan league to gather existing information about how increases to the minimum wage might impact small and large business owners, nonprofits, youth workers and start-up operations.” — Pioneer Press, 2/19/2018

These kids are earning while they learn. Should they get $15 an hour?: “Through the St. Paul Foundation, the city of St. Paul has asked the nonpartisan Citizens League to study the impact of a potential minimum wage increase on employers, workers and the tax base as well as nonprofits.” — Pioneer Press, 2/16/2018

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter walks into $15 minimum wage battle: “B Kyle, St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said she’s reserving judgment until people have a chance to react to the Citizens League report. ‘I think St. Paul needs to have lots more opportunities for people who disagree to have hard conversations, and still come together to have them,’ she said.” — Star Tribune, 2/3/2018

In Edina, claims of racism bring action: “The [Edina] City Council subsequently launched a Race and Equity Initiative to reach out to residents, workers and visitors to get their take on race in Edina…The initiative is made up of about 30 volunteers who live or work in Edina, including city employees, school board members and police officers. They are represented by a task force and guided by the Citizens League, a St. Paul-based policymaking nonprofit.” — Star Tribune, 1/21/2018

Good policymaking still has a chance — at the state level — Star Tribune Commentary, 1/19/2018

Why St. Paul’s minimum wage ordinance is probably gonna look a whole lot like Minneapolis’ minimum wage ordinance: “[E]veryone involved appears ready to let the process play out over the coming months…Part of that includes what is being called a “scoping project,” which is being done by the Citizens League and paid for by the St. Paul Foundation, and involves doing research and talking to people in the community as a precursor to a broader effort around the issue.” — MinnPost, 1/19/2018

Editorial: In praise of intelligent decision-making — and the Citizens League: The Citizens League is serving us well in these polarized times — when strong civic infrastructure is a particular plus. — Pioneer Press Editorial Board, 1/17/2018

Editorial: A deep breath on the minimum wage in St. Paul — Pioneer Press Editorial Board, 12/17/2017

St. Paul can do better than Minneapolis on minimum wage question — Star Tribune Editorial Board, 11/30/2017

Minimum wage debate takes off in St. Paul, with next mayor promising $15 — Star Tribune, 11/25/2017

Nonprofits could pay St. Paul something a lot like taxes, but ask nicely, says task force – Pioneer Press, 9/7/2017

Citizens League recommends St. Paul explore nonprofit donations to city budget– Star Tribune, 9/6/2017

St. Paul Considering ‘Voluntary’ Payment Plan for Non-Profits – KSTP, 9/6/2017

St. Paul looks to colleges, hospitals and nonprofits in a tight budget year – Star Tribune, 7/15/2017

Understanding democracy: A July 4th assessment – Sean Kershaw Commentary in Star Tribune, 7/4/2017

A good crew to kick the tires on St. Paul’s tax system – Pioneer Press Editorial Board, 5/31/2017

“Citizens League called for staggered terms for council members” and “a more public nomination process for council members” – Star Tribune Editorial Board, 5/17/2017

Rethinking Taxes in St. Paul — (Video) Interview with Executive Director Sean Kershaw, TPT Almanac, 4/14/2017

St. Paul wants to know if tax-exempt churches, schools would contribute voluntarily to budget — MPRNews, 4/13/2017

Citizens League panel to help St. Paul study options to pay for city services — Star Tribune, 4/12/2017

St. Paul: universities, museums, etc., don’t owe taxes, but should they pay in other ways? — Pioneer Press, 4/12/2017

St. Paul wants to know if its hospitals, universities and museums can be induced — or shamed — into paying more for city services — MinnPost, 4/12/2017

Editorial: A transit-funding solution could look like this — Pioneer Press, 3/5/2017

Citizens League may have refreshed role as regional arbiter — Star Tribune Editorial, 3/3/2017

Citizens League report hopes to break the transit ‘logjam’ — Star Tribune, 2/21/2017

Editorial: Time for a tune-up of Minnesota’s Truth-in-Taxation procedures — Pioneer Press Editorial, 2/8/2017

Diverse Voices at the Capitol: St. Kate’s Students Secure Policy Internships— St. Kate’s Newswire, 1/11/2017

Citizens League Welcomes New Board Members in 2017 — Citizens League Press Release, 1/12/2017

Capitol Pathways is Back, Placing Student Interns of Color at the Capitol — Citizens League Press Release, 12/30/2016

Imagining New Futures: Artists & Aging Pilot — Creative Exchange by Springboard for the Arts, 12/19/2016