It’s been more than four years since Minneapolis voters narrowly approved a “strong mayor” government structure, as put forward by the charter commission. Some of us who believe in the idea of maintaining a strong city council had feared the next move to limit council authority would be more dramatic and radical. Something like designating them as “part-time” — cutting their pay and slashing office staff. We haven’t see that yet, but I’m still going to be paranoid about it.
The power struggle continues in other ways.
The charter commission looks set to put another amendment on the ballot this year that would strip the council’s power to confirm the mayor’s nominees to lead four city departments. I have argued extensively against the proposal…