20 August 2023
Amazing JazzFests
I do not know Mychael Wright and his wife Stephanie personally, but do know that, rain or shine, they pulled off amazing JazzFests.
I recall that at noon sharp, an upbeat New Orleans style group would kick things off near the Golden Thyme coffee shop. This was followed by days of performances by talented musicians, both national and local.
I always felt that area’s sense of community during this Fest, where people greeted each other and stopped and had conversations. Also, a mecca for Jazz-, food- and fashion lovers. Kudos to this dedicated couple for carrying this on for so many years. I have no doubt that whatever their next venture, it will prove “golden.”
Ursula Krawczyk, St. Paul
Whose duty it is
“Decades of excessive spending, paid with debt” and “the federal government needs to get its fiscal house in order” are the first seven and last 11 words in the Orange County Register’s opinion in this paper on Aug.13.
The first seven words ignore the fact that most federal spending is paid for with tax revenue. The Congressional Budget Office says taxes paid for 78 percent of spending in 2022. But, as we all know, that tax revenue percentage used to be higher.
The last 11 words disregard whose duty it is to elect fiscally responsible candidates and be willing to accept fewer benefits and pay more taxes to reach this vital objective. Because scrupulous politicians are a pipe dream without scrupulous citizen voters.
Vincent Grundman, Maplewood
‘Election interference’
Can we please move on from any indictment or prosecution aimed at the former president being touted as “election interference”? There’s another guy running for president (who is currently president), and, by this logic, any legal matter directed at Joe Biden or his son would also then need to be deemed “election interference” by the other party as well.
How about both of these men face whatever legal morass they have created for themselves and stop hiding behind politics? Can our elected leaders at least attempt to live a life beyond reproach instead of playing the political victim whenever legal accountability is aimed at them?
While we’re on the topic, one of the above candidates has consistently claimed throughout their political career that any election they would lose (or have lost) would have been rigged. I won’t tell you which guy but that sounds a lot like election interference to me.
Jeff Zupfer, St. Paul
Indicative of a thriving economy
In reading John Phelan’s column on Thursday’s Opinion page, it is evident his conservative perspective can find fault in anything.
Minnesota ranks among the top in almost every significant ranking for business, quality of life, healthcare, employment, education and on and on. It was interesting that he handpicked a few business statistics where Minnesota ranks low.
It is more interesting with each of these they are more indicative of a robust thriving economy than a poor business climate. They also equate to a stable business, social and environmental climate.
I guess if you want completely unregulated growth, few worker protections, less spending on education, little or no safety net, restrictions on available healthcare and ineffective environmental laws you’re right, Minnesota might not be the state for you.
Gregg Mensing, Roseville
Working just fine
John Phelan wrote an opinion piece “About those rankings….” in the Aug. 17 Pioneer Press. As an economist at the Center of the American Experiment he, no doubt, felt compelled to negatively comment on CNBC’s ranking of Minnesota as a top state for business and a top state to live and work in.
For those of us who have lived in Minnesota our entire life, in my case for nearly 75 years, it was easy to agree with a small piece of his article. He noted, “Minnesota has many qualities that make it a good state for business or for individuals to live and work in. It is a beautiful place blessed with good people….”
For many of us, Minnesota’s public policy decisions are working just fine.
George Hoeppner, Oak Park Heights
Correction
A Letter to the Editor on Aug. 10 said that St. Paul’s street maintenance budget was cut in half for 2023. That was inaccurate. Because of a court decision, the City changed the way it funds some street maintenance from a fee system to the property-tax system, so some of the recorded spending was moved from one line item in the budget to another. The letter also referenced total budget growth of over 40% over the last five years. In the five years of 2019 through 2023, the budget grew by 31%.
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