April 2026: St. Paul Issues in the News
Here are a few important St. Paul issues that made headlines last month.
Crypto Kiosks
Background: Rebecca and her team crafted an ordinance to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in St. Paul, which officially became law on December 21, 2025. In April 2026, the Minnesota House and Senate passed a bill banning cryptocurrency kiosks; Governor Walz signed the bill on May 5, 2026. It goes into effect on August 1, 2026.
April Press: Legislature should act now to stop cryptocurrency kiosk scams
St. Paul’s Tax Base
Background: One major focus to increase St. Paul’s tax base is to revitalize downtown. Rebecca was a founding member of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, and she co-chaired the Downtown Commercial Real Estate Committee which led to the creation of the Downtown Development Corporation. She champions attracting investment and redeveloping underused sites.
April Press: How might St. Paul boost its tax base and stabilize property taxes?
Operation Metro Surge: Pre-Eviction Notice Change
Background: On March 20, the St. Paul City Council voted 7-0 on ORD 26-18, temporarily extending the pre-eviction notice filing period to 60 days. This lasts from mid-May through the end of 2026.
April Press: St. Paul temporarily extends non-payment eviction notice
“Extending the pre-eviction filing notice to 60 days is about preventing further harm to families who have already endured so much. This isn’t a suspension of rent—it’s the time people need to access rental assistance and stabilize their lives. Our goal is to ensure that no one experiences compounding hardship after the trauma of Operation Metro Surge, and that all residents have the support they need to stay in their homes.”
Downtown Revitalization
Background: The St. Paul City Council designated $5 million for the new Downtown Vitality Fund for housing and economic development projects. This is in addition to $1.4 million in Economic Development STAR funds for the Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program that the council reserved as part of the 2025 budget.
April Press: St. Paul Approves $6.4 million to revitalize commercial corridors
“Investing in downtown is about more than buildings—it’s about creating spaces where people want to live, work, and gather. The Downtown Vitality Fund will help bring new housing opportunities and vibrant commercial spaces to the heart of Saint Paul, supporting both economic growth and community vitality. I’m proud the City Council is making this commitment to strengthen our downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”
Immigration Enforcement
Background: On April 22, the St. Paul City Council unanimously passed ORD 26-19 (also known as Chapter 44A) . It strengthens training, reporting, and accountability related to federal immigration enforcement. This sets clear expectations for City employees, reinforces limits on the use of City resources, and improves transparency.
April Press: St. Paul city council adjusts city policies on federal immigration enforcement
“Every employee knows their role and every resident can have confidence in how we operate.”