Insight ::: 07.24.2023

GUTHRIE: REIMAGINING THE WES T WEST

Shane, the bold reimagining of Jack Schaefer’s 1949 the bold of Jack Schaefer’s 1949 Western novel is playing now thr ough Sunday, August 27 on Western novel is now through Sunday, August 27 on the McGuire Pr oscenium St age at The Guthrie Theater A co- the McGuire Proscenium Stage at The Guthrie Theater. A copr oduction with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park , Guthrie’s production with Cincinnati in the Park, Guthrie’s world premiere of Karen Zacarías’ Shane is directed by world of Karen Zacarías’ Shane is directed Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Ar tistic Director Blake Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Artistic Director Blake Robison.

When Zacarías fir st described her own relationship to When rst described her own to Jack Schaefer’s 1949 novel, and the lens thr ough which she Jack Schaefer’s 1949 and the lens through which she intended to explore its narrative and themes in a new play, intended to its narrative and themes in a new “I was inst antly captivated,” said Guthrie Ar tistic Director “I was instantly captivated,” said Guthrie Artistic Director Joseph Haj “Shane pr omises to be a thrilling pr oduction for Haj. “Shane promises to be a production for longtime fans of this Western classic and theater newcomer s fans of this Western classic and theater newcomers alike as well as a dynamic end to a historic Guthrie season ” alike as well as a end to a historic Guthrie season.”

In Shane, Zacarías interr ogates the assumptions

In Zacarías interrogates the and myths of the American West by transpor ting audiences and myths of the American West by transporting audiences to 1889 when Shane, a loner with a dark and mysterious to 1889 when a loner with a dark and past, rides into the hear t of W yoming’s cattle countr y. He’s rides into the heart of Wyoming’s cattle country. He’s inst antly idolized by the young Bob St arrett, whose settler instantly idolized the young Bob Starrett, whose settler parents welcome Shane into their home and put him to work welcome Shane into their home and him to work on their farm, where Shane discover s the family he never had on their farm, where Shane discovers the he never had. Meanwhile, hostility gr ows between the ruthless Meanwhile, grows between the ruthless rancher Fletcher and the settler s st ar ting their farms When rancher Fletcher and the settlers starting their farms. When Fletcher plans to squeeze them out, Shane’s danger ous ways Fletcher to squeeze them out, Shane’s dangerous ways resur face as he fights to save the St arretts fr om ruin resurface as to save the Starretts from ruin.

Shane marks the second play by Zacarías to be Shane marks the second play by Zacarías to be pr oduced at the Guthrie, following Native Gar dens (2017). produced at the Guthrie, Native Gardens (2017). When asked about her adapt ation of Schaefer’s classic novel, When asked about her adaptation of Schaefer’s classic Zacarías said, “Shane is a little emerald of a stor y we can Zacarías said, “Shane is a little emerald of a story we can look at fr om many directions and lenses, fr om the myths of look at from many directions and from the of the West to who else was par t of the Western fr ontier ” She the West to who else was part of the Western frontier.” She added, “It examines the American family, the war between added, “It examines the American the war between individualism and community, and how we need each other to individualism and and how we need each other to sur vive ” survive.”

The cast of Shane features Juan Ar tur o as Older Bob/ The cast of Shane features Juan Arturo as Older Bobby St arrett, Ricar do Chavira as Joe St arrett, William Starrett, Ricardo Chavira as Joe Starrett, William DeMeritt as Shane, Gabriela Fernandez-Cof fey as Marian DeMeritt as Shane, Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey as Marian St arrett, Grant Goodman as Ernie Wright/St ark Wilson, Terr y Starrett, Grant Goodman as Ernie Wright/Stark Terry Hempleman as Jake Ledyar d/Sam Graf ton, Shayna Jackson as Jake Ledyard/Sam Grafton, Jackson as Winona Stephens, Bill McCallum as L uke Fletcher and as Winona Bill McCallum as Luke Fletcher and Mikell Sapp as Chris Johnson Mikell as Chris Johnson.

Karen Zacarías is currently one of the most-pr oduced Karen Zacarías is one of the most-produced Latina playwrights in the U S She was born in Mexico to Latina in the U.S. She was born in Mexico to what she calls “an ar tistic family ” The granddaughter of a what she calls “an artistic family.” The of a well-known movie director and writer, Zacarías was initially well-known movie director and Zacarías was reluct ant to identify her self as an ar tist Her work includes reluctant to herself as an artist. Her work includes Native Gar dens, an adapt ation of How the Gar cía Girls Lost Native Gardens, an adaptation of How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, The Book Club Play, Mariela in the Deser t and Their The Book Club Mariela in the Desert and The Sins of Sor Juana, which won her The Kennedy Center’s The Sins of Sor which won her The Kennedy Center’s Charles MacAr thur Prize for Outst anding New Play Charles MacArthur Prize for Outstanding New Play.

The Credit Card Competition Act: A detriment to minority communities, a boon for large retailers

By. Rep Samakab Hussein Guest Commentary

As the Credit Card Competition Act once again gains traction in Congress, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of this legislation critically, particularly its impact on minority communities. While the bill purports to promote consumer benefits, a closer analysis reveals that it would inadvertently disadvantage minority populations while favoring large retailers. The proposed act’s adverse effects on access to credit cards, reduced rewards, and larger corporate profits all contribute to this concerning reality.

Minnesota joins federal and state

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other law enforcement partners nationwide, including attorneys general from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, announced a new crackdown on illegal robocalls, targeting operations responsible for billions of calls to U.S. consumers.

The joint state and federal “Operation Stop Scam Calls” initiative builds on the efforts of Minnesota and other state and federal partners to combat the scourge of illegal robocalls. This initiative targets robocallers and the companies that enable them as well as lead generators who deceptively collect and provide consumers’ telephone numbers to robocallers and others, falsely representing that these consumers have consented to

By Kenneth L. Shropshire

Professor Emeritus of Legal Studies and Business Ethics; Faculty Director, Wharton Coalition for Equity & Opportunity, University of Pennsylvania

In an anticipated but nonetheless stunning decision expected to have widespread implications on college campuses and workplaces across the country, the conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, 2023, outlawed affirmative action programs that were designed to correct centuries of racist disenfranchisement in higher education.

In the majority opinion about the constitutionality of admissions programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that Harvard’s and UNC’s race-based admission guidelines “cannot be reconciled with the guarantees of the Equal Protection Clause.”

“College admissions are zero sum, and a benefit provided to some

on illegal robocalls

receive calls. It also targets Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers who facilitate tens of billions of illegal robocalls every year, which often originate overseas.

“Everybody hates robocalls — and everybody gets them, including me. Minnesotans file more complaints about robocalls with our office than about any other single problem. When it’s tough to afford your life, the last thing any of us needs is a scammer coming at us,” Ellison said.

“Minnesota is continuing to join forces in this fight with the federal government, attorneys general, and law enforcement around the country. We’re going to keep at it until every Minnesota is safe from this scourge.”

“Today, government agencies at all levels are united in fighting the scourge of illegal telemarketing. We

applicants but not to others necessarily advantages the former at the expense of the latter,” Roberts wrote.

Though not a surprise, the decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina drew widespread condemnation from civil rights groups and praise from conservative politicians.

In my view as a race and equity legal scholar focused on business, the court had subtly established an affirmative action expiration date in its 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision.

In that case, Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote in her majority opinion that “race-conscious admissions policies must be limited in time,” adding that the “Court expects that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.”

In this opinion, the court moved that deadline to the forefront, and it is no longer the throwaway line that some believed at the time.

What the court’s

are taking action against those who trick people into phony consent to receive these calls and those who make it easy and cheap to place these calls,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, who appeared at a news conference in Chicago today announcing the initiative. “The FTC and its law enforcement partners will not rest in the fight against illegal telemarketing.”

Ellison said he is committed to fighting the scourge of illegal robocalls and since he took office, has been active with national partners in doing so. In August 2022, he joined a multistate investigation into 20 so-called gateway providers that are allegedly responsible for enabling much of the robocall traffic in the United States, as part of the thennewly formed Anti-Robocall

Multistate Litigation Task Force.

In May 2023, he joined 48 states and the District of Columbia in suing Avid Telecom for generating more than 7.5 billion illegal robocalls to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the first lawsuit to arise from the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force. In August 2019, Ellison joined 51 state attorneys general and 12 telecoms providers in adopting a set of principles to fight robocalls. Out of these principles have come free call-blocking and the common identification by providers of likely scam calls, both of which protect consumers and limit scammers access to them. Minnesota’s actions build on the work of its state and federal partners including

One of the most pressing concerns is the potential reduction in credit card access for minority communities. Credit cards have been crucial tools for economic empowerment, enabling individuals to establish credit histories and access financial growth opportunities. However, by imposing stricter regulations on credit card companies, the bill could increase the cost of providing credit cards. This could lead to lenders tightening their lending standards, making

it more difficult for members of minority communities, particularly those with limited credit histories, to secure credit cards. This reduced access exacerbates existing economic disparities, hindering the upward mobility and financial well-being of minority individuals and communities. Additionally, the impact of the Credit Card Competition Act on rewards programs is deeply concerning. While the legislation claims to reduce fees, it could force credit card issuers to reconsider their business strategies. To make up

decision in these 2023 cases means for college admissions officers is that the mere mention of using race to address racial and arguably gender disparities is unconstitutional. By their very nature, academia and corporations are conservative, and general counsels at these entities are likely to caution against any program targeting historically underrepresented people. At the most optimistic,

this ruling forces higher learning institutions to revise programs and look to remedy past wrongs on a case-by-case basis. But its my belief that O’Connor’s deadline was one of desire and not reality. The vestiges of past discrimination and the unfortunate existence of ongoing discrimination continue. No deadline has made these wrongs

Jealous

Bold Leadership and Historic Investment are Launching Climate Renewal

By Ben Jealous

The last Apollo mission launched a few weeks before I was born. I grew up hearing people describe an audacious goal as a “moonshot.”

What excites me lately is how poised for a comeback this country is for the environment and the economy. I think of it as our “Earth shot,” and my home state of Maryland is emerging as Cape Canaveral’s successor.

Sparrows Point is one of our launchpads. That’s where Orsted, a wind energy company, will manufacture what it needs to power about 300,000 Maryland homes as part of a state goal for offshore windfarms to provide electricity to about 3 million homes. That also will create 125 good jobs that pay well. All on a site that once housed the world’s largest steel mill.

The Free State is showing what can happen when bold leadership and real dollars meet to address climate concerns.

Governor Wes Moore and the state legislature last year set a goal for Maryland to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2031 and reach net zero emissions by 2045.

They’ve begun pursuing those goals, from demanding dealers offer more options for zero-emissions cars and trucks each year until reaching 100 percent of sales in 2035 to permitting community solar power projects to bring that renewable energy to more homes and businesses.

The White House and Congress did their part last year by passing a historic spending package directing nearly $400 billion to growing clean energy and revitalizing American manufacturing. In Baltimore Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $20 billion loan program for underserved neighborhoods that she called “the largest investment in financing for community-based climate projects in our nation’s history.”

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crackdown

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison

A 2003 Supreme Court decision upholding affirmative action planted the seeds of its overturning, as justices then and now thought racism an easily solved problem

Representative Samakab Hussein House District 65A

Drew Angerer/Getty Images The Supreme Court issued a decision on June 29, 2023, that ends af

Minimum wage has increased to $14.50 for small businesses in Minneapolis

On July 1, 2023, the small business minimum wage in Minneapolis increased to $14.50. The minimum wage for large businesses already increased in January and is currently $15.19. Beginning July 2024, the minimum wage for small businesses will match the rate for large businesses and continue increasing slightly every Jan. 1. The Minneapolis minimum wage ordinance defines small businesses as 100 or fewer employees and large businesses as more than 100 employees. Tips and

gratuities do not count toward payment of a minimum wage. The City’s Department of Civil Rights oversees enforcement of the municipal minimum wage and wage theft prevention ordinances, and workers are encouraged to report violations online Increases in Minneapolis’ minimum wage directly benefit tens of thousands of families and the economy. The ordinance supports the City’s goals of promoting economic inclusion and reducing economic and racial disparities.

As scheduled, minimum wage increases for large, small, and micro businesses are also now in

effect in St. Paul. The minimum wage increase to $15.19 went into effect for macro

businesses on January 1, 2023.

July 1, St. Paul’s minimum wage hourly rate is:

 $15.00 for large businesses (101-10,000 employees)

 $13.00 for small businesses (6-100 employees)

 $11.50 for micro businesses (5 employees or less)

All employers must count all employees, whether employed full-time, parttime, jointly with another employer, or on a temporary basis, including employees not located in Saint Paul.

On November 14, 2018, Mayor Melvin Carter signed into law a citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance, raising the minimum wage for business beginning in 2020. The minimum wage rates increase annually, depending on business size. The Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) is responsible for education and enforcement of the Minimum Wage Ordinance.

CNBC study ranks Minnesota fifth state for business based on 86 indicators

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan last week announced that Minnesota is a top-five state for businesses, according to a recent CNBC study. Minnesota’s ranking is based on 86 key indicators in 10 categories of competitiveness, including workforce, infrastructure, economy, health, and business

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the FTC, which announced five new cases against companies and individuals responsible for distributing or assisting in the distribution of billions of illegal telemarketing calls to consumers nationwide.

Other contributing law enforcers include the U.S. Department of Justice, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Communications Commission.

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for lost revenue, these issuers may reduce or eliminate rewards programs, which would directly affect cardholders who rely on these benefits to make the most of their purchasing power. This would disproportionately affect minority communities, which often have fewer financial resources and rely

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friendliness.

“Businesses are at the heart of our communities, our workforce, and our state’s economy. They drive our economic growth, culture, and innovation,” said Governor Walz. “From investing in broadband and our highway system to child care and job training, we will continue

Federal resources to help consumers block unwanted calls

In addition to the law enforcement actions announced today, the FTC has a variety of materials aimed at helping consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls. This includes advice related to robocalls and other unwanted calls and information on how to spot and avoid phone scams at ftc.gov/calls, which is also available in Spanish at ftc.gov/ llamadas. The FTC also has a new educational webpage at ftc.gov/RobocallScams that includes examples of real illegal robocalls and steps people can take to avoid robocall scams.

on rewards programs to help cover expenses. Eliminating rewards programs would limit consumer purchasing power and exacerbate economic inequality, favoring larger and wealthier segments of the population.

Furthermore, while it is intended to address certain issues in the credit card industry, this legislation could ironically end up boosting profits for large retailers at the expense of consumers, particularly those in minority communities. By imposing limits on credit card fees, the bill may reduce

and their impact disappear.

In her dissent in the UNC case, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson details the reality: “With let-them-eat-

working hard to make Minnesota the best state to own a business.”

“Nearly half of Minnesota’s workforce is employed by a small business, and this ranking speaks to our strong support of workers and business owners,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.

“Minnesotans work best when we work together to provide

The scourge of robocalls and tips for avoiding them

According to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center, over 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day. These scam calls include Social Security Administration fraud against seniors, Amazon scams against consumers, and many other scams targeting all consumers, including those who are most vulnerable. Scammers stole an estimated $29.8 billion dollars through scam calls in 2021 alone. Most of this scam robocall traffic originates overseas. The Task Force is

revenues for credit card issuers, forcing them to rethink their business strategies. This could result in issuers cutting credit limits, raising fees on other financial products, or even withdrawing from certain markets altogether. With their abundant resources and bargaining power, large retailers could take advantage of this situation by negotiating lower transaction fees and encouraging customers to use their storebranded credit cards. This shift would allow them to avoid the higher costs associated with

cake obliviousness, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces ‘colorblindness for all’ by legal fiat. But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life. And having so detached itself from this country’s actual past and present experiences, the

solutions and support for entrepreneurs and workers alike. Just as small business owners and employees work hard every day to better our state, we will continue to make Minnesota work better for them.” This ranking comes as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor recently announced state and federal investments

focused on shutting down the providers that profit from this illegal scam traffic and refuse to take steps to otherwise mitigate these scam calls. Ellison offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:

 If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang up and do not provide any personal information.

 Be wary of callers who specifically ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. For example, the Internal Revenue Service does not accept payment in iTunes gift cards.  Look out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies.

traditional credit cards, leading to increased corporate profits.

Unfortunately, consumers, particularly those in minority communities, may be left with limited credit options and fewer financial benefits as a result. The Credit Card Competition Act could make protecting people’s private financial information harder.

Even though the act aims to increase competition between credit card companies, it could force companies to use less secure systems for processing transactions. This could put

Court has now been lured into interfering with the crucial work that UNC and other institutions of higher learning are doing to solve America’s real-world problems.”

The court’s opposition grew

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

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to expand broadband access and as Governor Walz recently signed the state’s largest-ever infrastructure bill, which will create good-paying jobs, invest in infrastructure, and bring longterm benefits to communities across the state. Last week, Governor Walz visited a microchip manufacturing company in Bloomington

Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make phone calls to individuals.

Ellison encourages Minnesotans who have received scam robocalls or been victimized by them to contact or file a complaint with his office at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area), (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota) or online.

“I encourage anyone who receives a scam robocall to make a note of the number and report it to my office, because it will help us trace those numbers back and hold accountable those responsible for enabling scammers,” he said. “And if you’ve been scammed, don’t be ashamed, because these scammers are professionals who

people at higher risk of identity theft and fraud. By limiting the ability of credit card companies to use advanced anti-fraud technologies and systems, the act could make it easier for cybercriminals to steal people’s sensitive information.

As currently proposed, the Credit Card Competition Act could harm minority communities and provide advantages to big retailers. This could result in reduced credit card availability, fewer rewards programs, and increased corporate profits, all of which

slowly

In their lawsuits against North Carolina and Harvard, the anti-affirmative action organization Students for Fair Admissions argued that the schools’ raceconscious admissions process was unconstitutional and discriminated against highachieving Asian American students in favor of traditionally underrepresented Blacks and Hispanics who may not have earned the same grades or standardized test scores as other applicants.

The primary Supreme Court-level battle over affirmative action started during the 1970s when a legal challenge reached the Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke.

In that 1978 case, Allan Bakke, a white man, had been denied admission to University of California at Davis’ medical school. Though ruling that a separate admissions process for minority medical students was unconstitutional, Associate Justice Lewis Powell wrote that race can still be one of several factors in the admissions process.

Since then, the Supreme Court has issued different rulings on whether race could be used in college admissions.

In the 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger case, O’Connor wrote the majority opinion that endorsed the University of Michigan’s “highly individualized, holistic review” that included race as a factor and had been legally challenged.

Most recently, in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin in 2016, the court reaffirmed its belief in schools that “train students to appreciate diverse viewpoints, to see one another as more than mere stereotypes, and to develop the capacity to live and work

to highlight investments Minnesota made in Minnesota’s high-tech manufacturing industry, including a $250 million investment in expanding Minnesota’s microchip industry that took effect July 1.

are very good at what they do.

And don’t stay silent — that’s what scammers want you to do. Instead, report it to my office: we may be able to help you, and by reporting it, you will help us get to the root of the problem and stop it.”

“Don’t hang on — hang up”

“Above all, don’t hang on — hang up. We Minnesotans are polite folks who don’t like hanging up on others, even when they’re being rude or we suspect they’re trying to scam us. But scammers don’t deserve our politeness or respect, so protect yourself and your family and hang up immediately,” Ellison said.

could disadvantage minority individuals and communities. As we work towards a fair and inclusive society, it is important for policymakers to recognize the possible unintended consequences of this legislation and explore alternative approaches that prioritize consumer protection, promote economic opportunity, and empower all Americans, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

together as equal members of a common community.”

A colorblind society?

The ruling is not a complete loss for supporters of diversity efforts. Roberts wrote that prospective students should be evaluated “as an individual — not on the basis of race,” although universities can still consider “an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.” Applicants then are still able to explain their background in their essays submitted for college admissions. But even that is fraught with problems.

As novelist James Baldwin once asked: How does one articulate the constant presence of race to someone who is not experiencing it? For governmental entities, like public schools or those receiving substantial state funding, the ruling forces them to detail not only how using race will further compel government interests but also whether such a program is necessary to achieve that interest.

As Jackson explains in her dissent:

“The only way out of this morass – for all of us – is to stare at racial disparity unblinkingly, and then do what evidence and experts tell us is required to level the playing field. It is no small irony that the judgment the majority hands down today will forestall the end of racebased disparities in this country, making the colorblind world the majority wistfully touts much more difficult to accomplish.”

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

STAR Grants in St. Paul

Administered by St. Paul’s Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), Neighborhood STAR program provides grants for physical improvement projects which strengthen neighborhood vitality. Public, private, nonprofit or for-profit entities located in or doing business in Saint Paul can apply for STAR funds. Applications are now open for the 2023 Neighborhood STAR program. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, July 31, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Funding for the program is determined by the annual STAR budget, which is proposed by the Mayor as part of the City’s budget process, and is approved by the City Council. The appropriation is based on a combination of sales tax revenue projections, loan repayments, closed out projects and investment earnings. The awards result from a competitive application process once per year.

STAR proposals must be for capital improvement projects or programs located within Saint Paul city limits.

STAR funding may only be used for permanently affixed, physical (“bricks and mortar”) enhancements which strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul. Projects may include commercial and/or housing rehabilitation, parks projects, streetscape projects, creative placemaking/placekeeping, and economic development activities with an expected life of seven or more years.

Projects and programs financed with STAR funds are expected to be used for their funded purpose for seven (7) or more years. If for any reason the STAR-funded initiative is discontinued or property sold prior to seven years, the STAR award may be required

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The unprecedented clean energy package provides tax incentives, grants, and loans for much of what Maryland seeks to accomplish. There are tax credits of up to $7500 for buying new and used electric cars and trucks. Pretty soon, the neighbors I see at our local watering hole near the Chesapeake Bay will be far less interested in my electric Ford F-150 because they’ll have one of their own.

Similarly, there are rebates of up to $8,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades like heat pumps and rooftop solar panels. This helps balance the upfront costs that hit immediately with the energy cost savings that only accrue over time. Owners

to be returned to the city.

To maximize the use of STAR funds, requests over $50,000 must be matched on a minimum dollar for dollar basis with non-city resources. Awarded funds are disbursed upon completion and approval of capital activities. STAR projects should support a public purpose by maintaining or increasing the tax base; creating and/ or retaining jobs; revitalizing vacant commercial space; building wealth within neighborhoods; celebrating and/or strengthening the city’s cultural diversity; or advancing climate-action, sustainability, and/or resilience goals as put forth in the St. Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan. Proposed activities should be consistent with approved neighborhood plans or initiatives. STAR projects and resources should advance geographic and financial equity across all city neighborhoods.

Eligible Applicants

Public, non-profit and for-profit entities located or doing business within the City of Saint Paul City departments and quasi-governmental entities are an eligible applicant when in partnership with a neighborhood and/or community group Churches and religious organizations are eligible to apply when in partnership with a neighborhood and\or community group and only with respect to a project that: (i) is non-sectarian and whose primary effect neither advances nor inhibits religion; (ii) will make capital improvements for functions not associated with church-sponsored or religious type activities; and (iii) is open and available to the public at large on a regular basis

of multifamily buildings can get rebates of up to $400,000.

Transportation and electricity use make up nearly 60 percent of Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions, which makes this federal support vital and targeted.

The real test is to make sure the benefits of clean energy and the good jobs that will come with it are shared widely and fairly across Maryland and every state.

“The climate crisis impacts everybody, but it does not impact all communities equally,” the vice president noted. “Poor communities, rural communities, Native communities and communities of color are often the hardest hit and the least able to recover.”

We see this in places like West Baltimore where I spent summers with my grandparents and where the childhood

Ineligible Applicants Political parties and political action groups. Federal, state and county agencies and departments. Individual homeowners, condominium or townhome owners and/or the association representing them.

Eligible STAR-Funded Projects and Activities STAR funding may only be used for permanently affixed, physical (“bricks and mortar”) enhancements which strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul. Projects may include commercial and/or housing rehabilitation, parks projects, streetscape projects, creative placemaking/placekeeping, and economic development activities with an expected life of seven or more years.

Eligible activities include: Rehabilitation and\ or construction of commercial, residential or industrial property. Most fixed interior and exterior improvements

asthma rate is five times higher. We need more contractors to do those energy upgrades, and there are federal dollars to provide that, for example. We must ensure that people from the communities most in need have a place in that training, as they’re the ones most likely to serve their neighbors.

“When the President and I invest in climate, we intend to invest in jobs, invest in families, and invest in America,” Harris told the crowd at Coppin State University.

In the 1920s, National Geographic called Maryland “America in Miniature” for its terrain and waters. Let’s hope that nickname takes on a broader meaning as my state becomes the clean energy model it aspires to be and does it in a way that allows all residents feel the benefit. It’s then we’ll know that this Earth shot led

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activities.

to commercial or residential structures including: walls, ceilings, floors, lighting, windows, doors, entrances, electrical, plumbing. HVAC, energy and security improvements, handicap accessibility, and building code corrections. Minor public improvements (major public improvements should be referred to the city’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process). Beautification of public or private open space, including trees and shrubs, rain gardens, benches, play equipment, bicycle parking, and lighting. Creative placemaking / placekeeping capital improvement activities, including public art and creative public infrastructure improvements, especially those located in a Cultural Destination Area. Non-profit neighborhood organizations providing a funding program to local businesses, homeowners, or condominium/townhome owners for capital improvement

to that “one giant leap for mankind” we’ve heard about. Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra

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When preparing a STAR proposal, applicants should consider the following:

The Neighborhood STAR Program is designed to fund capital projects of $5,000 or more that could not generally be accomplished solely through non-city funding sources. Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with city staff, neighborhood organizations and community groups to identify needs, and explore opportunities to share capacity and expertise. To ensure that funding is widely distributed throughout the city, it is unlikely that STAR awards will be more than $50,000. Applicants seeking to capitalize a funding program should consider collaborating with other entities to provide technical services (i.e., loan underwriting, loan servicing, and credit analysis) not available in their organization. STAR resources may not be used to develop or duplicate administrative capacity.

Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. He is a professor of practice at

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Applicants should seek out opportunities to implement existing neighborhood plans and strategies, such as small area plans. Likewise, proposals implemented in conjunction with other city-planned improvements will make the best use of scarce resources. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate that they have, or will be able to get, site control over the project property. City staff will provide technical assistance to applicants, if requested, to help ensure a complete and viable application. Upon selection by the Mayor and City Council, the STAR applicant will be notified in writing of their funding commitment. City staff will hold a post award meeting to provide a general review of city regulations applicable to all Neighborhood STAR activities. Proposals are selected based upon the information contained in the application and may not be significantly changed during project implementation.

the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free,” published in January.

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Charles Barkley’s Generosity Empowers Black Students at Auburn University

basketball player Charles Barkley has recently made headlines for his decision to allocate $5 million to black students at Auburn University, his beloved alma mater.

ruling on affirmative action. This bold act demonstrates Barkley’s unwavering commitment to creating equal opportunities and fostering educational success for underrepresented communities.

By Leahjean M. Denley, MBA

In a display of remarkable generosity, former professional

Barkley’s choice to redirect funds in his will from supporting homeless youth to empowering black students comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s

As an alumnus of Auburn University, Barkley’s decision to support black students at his alma mater demonstrates his enduring

love and appreciation for the institution that played a significant role in shaping his life. “In my will, I am leaving Auburn $5 million,” Barkley said, per AL.com. “I’m going to change it to be just for scholarships for Black students. That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse.” An outspoken advocate for social justice, Barkley often uses his platform to address issues of racial inequality and create positive change. His decision to redirect his charitable contributions

aligns with his ongoing commitment to fighting against systemic injustices and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

By directing his philanthropic efforts toward black students, Barkley is helping to level the playing field and ensures that they have equal opportunities to thrive academically and pursue their dreams at Auburn University.

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Barkley’s choice

flects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by black students in today’s educational landscape. With the recent Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action, the need for

alternative avenues of support for underrepresented students has become more pressing. Barkley’s decision is a testament to his unwavering dedication to social justice and educational empowerment. By recognizing the impact of recent Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action, his generosity paves the way for black students to excel academically, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to succeed. His act of philanthropy not only uplifts individuals, but also ignites a broader conversation about the importance of equal opportunities for all.

Charles Barkley

THE VAST WONDER OF THE WORLD Biologist Ernest Everett Just

By Melina Mangal

Contrary to perceptions, the presence of African Americans has been in every field, including science. This has not been a recent

phenomenon—Black History Month has shown us that, thereby changing the perceptions and teaching our children our legacy.

Such is the case with Melina Mangal’s children’s book, The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just. Born in 1883 in Charleston, South Carolina, Just’s interest in the world of water developed at an early age. He faced the realities of life for African Americans— his father dying when he was four, surviving typhoid fever, experiencing hurricanes and the fire that destroyed the school his mother built, and on top of that, the Jim Crow segregation laws pervading the South. In spite

of these challenges, he never stopped observing nature. Continuing his education up North, his calling came into clarity; the study of cells. As such, he became a biology professor at Howard University. His work made breakthroughs through teaching observation of living things in their natural environment. Ultimately, his research garnered him the NAACP Spingarn Medal for achievement. His ideas and research on cells were warmly received and respected by scientists around the world. Sadly, that wasn’t the case in the U.S., and he eventually moved to Europe to become an independent

researcher. At the end of the day, Just’s work as a biologist paved the way for such studies as today’s stem cell research, and it all began with a child’s interest in the world of water and cells. In his words, “Environment and organism are one; neither can be separated from the other.” Another quote of his is a telling and ironic commentary

whenever he came from Europe to the U.S.: upon seeing the Statue of Liberty he said, “This is where my liberty ends.”

took Sharing Our Stories By: W.D. Foster-Graham Book Review Editor

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