Office of Financial Empowerment-City of Saint Paul

Advancing economic democracy for all @cityofsaintpaul residents. Economic justice. College savings. Guaranteed income. Fair housing. Shared ownership & equity.+

[Mayor Melvin Carter @MayorCarter]

We appreciate @Living_Cities’ support for initiatives like our @cityofsaintpaul #InheritanceFund, which facilitates wealth creation through homeownership among families displaced by construction of the I-94 freeway a generation ago.

[Mayor Melvin Carter @MayorCarter]

Home ownership has always been the primary vehicle for wealth creation in America. (1/2) https://t.co/U0wV3AJ7WW

[Frederick Melo, Reporter/Axolotl @FrederickMelo]

From college savings accounts for newborns to medical debt relief, he led it all. Muneer Karcher-Ramos, founding director of the city of St. Paul's Office of Financial Empowerment, to step down at the end of the month for as-yet-undisclosed pastures. https://t.co/9Hbpsf1CxX

[Vivian Ihekoronye @VIhekoronye]

I’m so grateful for Muneer’s instrumental leadership in @OFE_STP to spearhead critical initiatives for Saint Paul residents to be on a path of economic empowerment. His work is a shining example of what happens when we rethink the role of govt in people’s lives. 🎉 @moonearkr

[Mayor Melvin Carter @MayorCarter]

Muneer's leadership has shaped our city for the better. Together, we introduced game-changing initiatives like CollegeBound Saint Paul and nation-leading guaranteed income projects. Heartfelt appreciation for his work, and we wish him continued success! https://t.co/a2Qyo4bFHX

[Office of Financial Empowerment-City of Saint Paul @OFE_STP]

We bid farewell to @OFE_STP director @moonearkr at the end of the month! Cc: @cityofsaintpaul @MayorCarter

[Frederick Melo, Reporter/Axolotl @FrederickMelo]

From college savings accounts for newborns to medical debt relief, he led it all. Muneer Karcher-Ramos, founding director of the city of St. Paul's Office of Financial Empowerment, to step down at the end of the month for as-yet-undisclosed pastures. https://t.co/9Hbpsf1CxX

[Mayor Melvin Carter @MayorCarter]

Eradicating poverty requires us to move beyond conventional strategies and embrace an approach that targets the root cause of poverty: lack of cash. Our best bet to win this war is by going all in on our children and families through a guaranteed income.
https://t.co/1XTS2VUvvf

[CollegeBound Saint Paul @CollegeBoundSTP]

Are you ready for tax season? If you get your taxes prepared at a free VITA community tax clinic, then make sure you claim the $50 Financial Health Bonus for your child's CollegeBound account!

Find a location here: https://t.co/xWKYsRMh5T

[Mayors for a Guaranteed Income @mayorsforagi]

At just 27, Mayor @Nadia_Mohameds made history in November when she became the first Somali-American mayor elected by voters to lead a U.S. city. We are thrilled to welcome Mayor Mohamed to MGI this week and work together to end poverty through guaranteed income!

[Exodus Lending @ExodusLending]

Seeing the words "Predatory payday loans are a thing of the past in Minnesota"  in a news article is something many of us have been dreaming about for years, and we are so proud it has finally come to fruition. 

https://t.co/g9gvruPN6x

[Mayors for a Guaranteed Income @mayorsforagi]

It was an honor to meet with @WhiteHouse Senior Advisor @SteveBenjaminSC, who brought guaranteed income to Columbia, SC as Mayor, and helped found Mayors for a Guaranteed Income in 2020.

[CollegeBound Saint Paul @CollegeBoundSTP]

Claudia Holt from @PrepareProsper shares about all the great way you can claim your Financial Health Bonus by participating in their programs, including free tax preparation!

https://t.co/6mbgTeySpn

#CollegeBound #CBSTP #CollegeSavingsAccounts #saveforyourchildsfuture

[Mayors for a Guaranteed Income @mayorsforagi]

"In his final book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, Dr. King called guaranteed income the most effective solution to poverty."

#MLKDay #MLKDay2024 #GuaranteedIncome
https://t.co/tykmVipE6p

[CollegeBound Saint Paul @CollegeBoundSTP]

CollegeBound Saint Paul wishes everyone a happy Martin Luther King Jr Day! Let us honor his legacy by continuing to fight for justice and equality for all.

[Scott Santens @scottsantens]

Saint Paul, Minnesota was the location of the first publicly-funded guaranteed basic income pilot in the US since Seattle/Denver in the 1970s. 150 people got $500/mo from Oct 2020 to March 2022).

The final results were recently published. Key observations:

⤴️Work increased
⌛️Time spent with family increased
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Social isolation decreased
🤗Participants felt a heightened sense of value

Since most people worry that basic income will make people lazy, at baseline, 49% of participants were employed compared to 63% six months after the program ended. During the same period, the number of unemployed went from 18% to 5%, and the number not in the labor force went from 17% to 9%.

Remarkably, many participants experienced a sense of "self-transcendence" as their basic income allowed them to be part of something bigger than themselves, which then led to stronger community connections as they were able to give back to their communities and spend more time with their loved ones.

On average, participants reported an improved attitude towards life and their purpose as well as increased hope for the future. Many participants also experienced a heightened sense of being valued by others.

Full report link: https://t.co/pnzqvjOW3c

[CollegeBound Saint Paul @CollegeBoundSTP]

Did you know kids can receive WIC benefits up to age 5? Our partner Maita shares why this partnership between WIC and CollegeBound is so important, thanks Maita!
https://t.co/SKmJXXPWfJ

#CollegeBound #CBSTP #CollegeSavingsAccounts #saveforyourchildsfuture

[CollegeBound Saint Paul @CollegeBoundSTP]

CollegeBound families! Did you know you can earn the $50 Child Wellness Bonus every year for engaging in activities that promote your baby's health? This can include participating in WIC.

#CollegeBound #CBSTP #CollegeSavingsAccounts #saveforyourchildsfuture

[McKnight Foundation @McKnightFdn]

Community Land Trusts create a critical bridge to homeownership for those who might not otherwise be able to afford the cost of a home, while also providing the stability necessary to consistently contribute to a vibrant local community. Get the story ⬇ https://t.co/g0yVTIjGDM

[Mayors for a Guaranteed Income @mayorsforagi]

In December, we released data from Saint Paul's People’s Prosperity Pilot, the 2nd mayor-led guaranteed income pilot to launch in the U.S. As with the Stockton pilot led by @MichaelDTubbs, guaranteed income led to increased employment among participants.

https://t.co/V4OTeXWYiT

[Office of Financial Empowerment-City of Saint Paul @OFE_STP]

Important tenant protections went into effect this week in MN 👇👇👇#themoreyouknow

[Mitra Jalali, St. Paul City Councilmember - Ward 4 @CMJalali]

New laws now protecting MN renters:
- Required 14-day pre-eviction notice
- Eviction filings expunged if renter wins their case
- More fee transparency in leases/ads
- Your LL must give 24h notice before entering your unit
- Expanded emergency repairs list
https://t.co/1cXnjAdXQV