An editorial by Paul Hanlon
St. Paul is throwing its residents under the bus with a jaw-dropping 7.9% property tax hike, proving yet again that bureaucratic priorities trump basic fairness. At the recent Truth in Taxation hearing, frustrated homeowners packed City Hall, furious at the city’s tone-deaf approach. “You guys are trying to run me out,” said one lifelong resident, and who can blame them?
This isn’t just a hike—it’s a gut punch to families already suffocating under rising inflation and skyrocketing living costs. The mayor’s justification? Without the increase, the city might lose 16 police officers, cut library hours, and gut rec center programs. Nice try, Mayor Carter. Holding basic services hostage is a cheap scare tactic to avoid tackling the real issue: bloated, wasteful spending.
Some council members have proposed $6 million in cuts to bring the tax hike closer to 5%, but Carter insists this would cause “drastic cuts.” Really? If the city can’t maintain essential services without raiding taxpayers’ wallets, it’s time to rethink the entire budget—not punish homeowners.
This isn’t about community investment; it’s about mismanagement. Taxpayers are tired of being ATM machines for every budget shortfall. And while council members like Mitra Jalali talk about “stress” and “anxiety,” words won’t pay the bills. Where’s the bold leadership to cut the fat and protect the people footing the bill?
If city leaders can’t find a solution that doesn’t crush their residents, maybe they shouldn’t be in charge of the budget. The people of St. Paul deserve a government that works for them—not against them. Enough excuses. It’s time to fix this mess without bleeding homeowners dry.
