Sustain Saint Paul’s joint fundraiser with our friends (and friendly rivals!) Neighbors for More Neighbors at the Black Hart of Saint Paul is just around the corner!

Join your neighbors, housing advocates, transit fans, biking nerds, environmentalists, and urbanists from across the Twin Cities this Thursday for an evening of live comedy, drinks, conversation, light-hearted competition, and a high-stakes fundraising face-off to see which city can raise the most for the cause of dense, walkable, livable neighborhoods. It is critical that Saint Paul wins this competition, and even more essential that Minneapolis loses!

Tickets to the event cost $25, and local food will be provided by Black Sea Restaurant.

Here’s the lineup of speakers championing Saint Paul -

• Molly Coleman - Saint Paul Councilmember, Ward 4

• Wes Burdine - Owner of Black Hart, Cofounder of MN Aurora

• Javier Morillo - Former President at SEIU Local 26, political commentator, podcaster

• Bill Lindeke - Urban Geographer, Cityscape columnist, and Author

• Aron Woldeslassie - Stand-up comedian, author, and producer

And here’s our cast of dastardly antagonists representing Minneapolis -

• Brandi Brown - Minneapolis comic, writer, and strategist

• Ian Ringgenberg - The Night Mayor of Minneapolis

• Katie Jones - House Representative for District 61A

• Jessica Armbruster, Jay Boller, and Keith Harris - Racket Editors and Co-Owners

• Carin Mrotz - Minneapolis author, nonprofit executive, and advisor

We will also hear from special guest John O’Sullivan, host of One-Minute Tours.

Over the past year, Sustain has been busy: from collaborating on statewide policy with the Yes2Homes coalition to championing local efforts like Traditional Neighborhood zoning and the Summit Avenue Utility Replacement and Regional Trail. We've also grown our grassroots base with new issue committees, trainings, and expanded outreach online. If you've noticed our increased presence—this is how it happens. Every dollar raised goes directly into this work: supporting staff time, campaign materials, and community organizing.

To pay for this work, we are aiming to raise $10,000 by the end of the event, and thanks to your efforts we are a little over halfway there! To put us over the finish line, we are so excited to announce that three anonymous donors are sponsoring a $3,000 Matching Challenge. They have agreed to match one-time gifts of $200 or more, and recurring gifts of $10/month or more ($120/year), dollar for dollar, up to $3,000! The match is active now, and it will go until the end of the fundraising event at 9pm on Thursday the 25th.

RSVP by buying a ticket below and consider making an early donation—or becoming a monthly Sustainer today.

Join us at Bang Brewing (2320 Capp Rd) on Thursday, July 24th, at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited for drinks, socializing, and most importantly to learn more about our brand new Volunteer Organizing Committees. If you want to get more involved in Sustain and your community, this is a can’t-miss!

🚴🏽🚴🏾‍♀️This Thursday, join us and @MoveMinnesota to kick off their 2025 group Bike Ride Series! 🚴🏻🚴🏿‍♂️

Starting at the Capitol steps, this eight-mile ride will explore the increasing number of bikeable Saint Paul destinations at a leisurely pace.

RSVP below

https://www.movemn.org/event/saint-paul-bike-ride-series-routes-to-the-state-capitol/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=186d5f40-1132-4080-a144-a5e077d5e273

The MN Senate is scheduled to vote on some pieces of our Yes to Homes bills in a hearing on Thursday 5/1 after they finish Floor Session.

We want to make it clear to our legislators how important these bills are to our community. Exact timing is hard to predict so we encourage people to join us from 3:00-5:00pm outside Senate Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Capitol. We will walk over to the Senate Building together once the floor session ends. (Don't worry, if we are still waiting for the hearing to start we have plenty of ways for you to engage.)

Join us for our annual board election meeting!

Interested in joining the board? We seek individuals who have a wide range of lived expertise and perspectives from all parts of the city. No previous board experience is necessary to join. Click on this SSP Board Member Application link to submit an application by January 26th to apply. During the elections meeting, we’ll share our accomplishments of 2024, our goals for 2025, then vote on returning and new board seats! Anyone who attended two meetings in the past year can vote or apply to be a member.

Want to attend the meeting? Click on the Zoom meeting link to join the meeting.

Legalize LVT (Land Value Tax): Expert Panel Discussion

In 2024 the Minnesota legislature came closer than ever to legalizing Land Value Tax (LVT). LVT shifts property tax incentives towards development and away from speculation. It can help transform our communities with new, sustainable housing and development.

Join LVT experts from across the nation to learn more about land value tax, its benefits and the barriers to its legalization. Panelists:

Nick Allen is a PhD candidate at MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. His work asks how the institutions governing land shape urban development and constrain local politics. He considers planning dilemmas by drawing from comparative political economy, institutional economics, and public finance. Previously, Nick was an economic development official in Detroit and conducted research on urban transitions in South and Southeast Asia. 

Josie Faas is the executive director of the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation, and co-director of the Center for Property Tax Reform, an independent research center focused on issues of equity and transparency in taxation.

Adriana Rizzo is a PhD candidate at UC Riverside, President of Common Ground California, and member of Californians for Electric Rail.

Jamal Thomas is a member of California Common Ground. His research around Georgism and Land Value Tax led him to writing “Privatize the Methods, Publicize the Profits.” He won first place in the 2024 Henry George School of Social Science's Writing Contest (for University Students).

Event Agenda:

• Intros, thank yous to LVT champions and elected officials, short video about LVT

• Panel discussion 

• Q&A

Question for the Experts: Include questions in your RSVP, or email paul.manning163@gmail.com with subject: "LVT Event Question."

Co-hosts: Sierra Club, Common Ground MN, Neighbors for More Neighbors, Sustain Saint Paul, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, Our Streets,  Sustainable Developer Collaborative, and Move Minnesota.

Signup Instructions: RSVP to receive zoom link and passcode.

Meet up and support a local West 7th business. Join Sustain Saint Paul at Wandering Leaf Brewing Company for a casual happy hour. Join us as we celebrate community, sustainability, and to connect to fellow members!

Routes 54 and 87 stop nearby, and there is bike parking too. Carpooling is encouraged if you drive. All are welcome!

What were last year’s transformative transit wins at the State Capitol? How can we build on these wins with nation-leading land use policy changes?

Join State Senator Omar Fateh, Representative Larry Kraft, other elected officials, transit and community leaders to find out and get a sneak peek at some of the policies we are advocating for!

Light appetizers provided. Beer and non-alcoholic options available for purchase.

All are welcome! Please RSVP here to help us plan for you.

Co-hosted by Sierra Club, Move Minnesota, Neighbors for More Neighbors, Sustain Saint Paul, Common Ground USA-MN Chapter, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota