Dai Thao
Council member Dai Thao believes that Saint Paul is at a pivotal moment in need of leadership that will stand with the people despite the uncertainty at the state and federal governments. Our city needs a bold direction that will tackle the racial disparities gap that is crippling our economy, make sure that our city services operate equitably across all neighborhoods, and assure that residents are invested in because they are the infrastructure of our community and economy. To do this, our community deserves tenacious leadership from an invested, hardworking and responsive Mayor who can both listen to and empathize with the diverse residents of St. Paul. Dai is a proud and determined progressive who will help us ensure a more prosperous and secure future for the Capital City.
Together, we can create stronger and safer neighborhoods because we invest in one another, in the people who live, work, and play here. We can achieve progress for all of us when we prioritize our shared values of investing in families, securing safe and economic prosperity, and having access to an equitable government. My priorities will include -
Investing in families and safe neighborhoods:
Tax and economic prosperity:
Equity and Responsive Government:
Together, we can create stronger and safer neighborhoods because we invest in one another, in the people who live, work, and play here. We can achieve progress for all of us when we prioritize our shared values of investing in families, securing safe and economic prosperity, and having access to an equitable government. My priorities will include -
Investing in families and safe neighborhoods:
- Champion all day Pre-Kindergarten in the City of St. Paul
- Strengthen the partnership between St. Paul Public Schools and the City with measurable outcomes
- Improve community-police trust, and expand fire and police services
- Increase investments in neighborhoods, improve libraries, parks & bike trails
- Champion youth workforce, increase affordable and senior housing
Tax and economic prosperity:
- Restructure the Street Maintenance Program (Right-of-Way Assessment) to make it fair
- Work with non-property tax paying organizations of St. Paul to help mitigate the expense of maintaining our beloved city
- Cut red tape and use technology to streamline small business processes
- Create the Mayor's Committee of Business Partners (consists of East Metro Fortune 500 CEOs and small business owners) to evaluate economic strategy, recruit new businesses and jobs to St. Paul
- Create greater access to capital for small businesses
Equity and Responsive Government:
- Quarterly town hall conversation that include members of the community, the respected State Senator(s), State Representative(s), and Council Member of that Ward
- Create Mayor's Committee of Community Leaders (consists of non-profits, churches, businesses, universities, residents, and stakeholders) to perform on-going evaluation of the city and co-create solutions together
- Champion allocation of resources equitably across the city, and expand the racial equity work of Mayor Chris Coleman