Saint Paul council adopts 2025 legislative agenda with arena renovation as top priority; adds tax and Medicaid amendments

The Saint Paul City Council on Wednesday adopted the city’s 2025 legislative agenda after a presentation from the city’s intergovernmental relations staff, with a bid to renovate the downtown arena complex listed as the top priority.

Brynn House, the city’s intergovernmental relations director, and Eric Peterson, intergovernmental relations associate, outlined priorities including a $285 million state request for renovations to the Excel Energy Center, requests for funding to repair the Roy Wilkins and River Center, downtown revitalization tools (a 30% ‘‘Cub’’ tax credit for underused buildings and redevelopment TIF), and a possible half-cent sales tax extension to support arena costs and cultural and neighborhood STAR programs.

During council discussion, Council Member Yang successfully moved an amendment (A1) to add a policy item asking the state to revise how mortgage-transfer and deed tax revenue is allocated so that local communities retain a larger share; the council voted 5-0 to add the amendment. Council Member Johnson then moved an amendment (A2) supporting legislation to establish a fifth tier of individual income tax at a rate sufficient to offset lost federal Medicaid funds; the council adopted that amendment 5-0. After adopting those changes, the council approved the legislative agenda as amended by a 5-0 vote.

House and Senate staffers noted the legislative landscape is constrained by a tighter-than-expected state fiscal forecast: Minnesota Management and Budget projected a smaller short-term surplus and larger out-year deficits, making ongoing funding requests more difficult. Staff said capital requests that are largely one-time or bond-supported are more viable this session.

Council members used the presentation to press staff for clarity on which items had bills already introduced and which were value statements meant to guide future bill drafting. Staff said the agenda document is a narrative platform and that some entries are values-driven rather than tied to an existing bill; staff also provided examples of bills that align with the platform, including arena capital-investment requests, redevelopment tax-credit proposals, and appropriations for Como Zoo projects.

Council members encouraged close coordination with the city’s state delegation and offered to testify or contact legislators in support. The council and staff emphasized the arena renovation as the top priority because city-owned facilities need capital work to remain competitive and drive downtown economic activity. Other priorities listed in the packet include housing and unsheltered support, workforce development funding, public safety grants, library funding, broadband and cybersecurity support, and procurement and human-rights reforms.

The adopted agenda will guide the city’s lobbying and testimony at the State Capitol during the remainder of the 2025 session.