Steve Brandt, candidate for Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation

On the thrilling conclusion of BET Candidates Week: Steve Brandt. John begins by asking Steve to give his assessment of where Minneapolis stands after the events of the past year or so. How would Steve explain the BET to a normal human being? What would Steve do if the Council needed his help raising the tax levy to fund alternative public safety priorities beyond what's contained in the mayor's budget? How is Steve different from the tax hawks who currently occupy the two directly elected seats on the BET (and who endorsed his candidacy)? We talk about Steve's prior career as a reporter with the Star Tribune and why he's give up the retired life to become a candidate for elected office. Steve reveals that Carol Becker planted the seed for him to run for BET all the way back in 2009. John asks Steve which local candidates he's knocked doors for in recent years. Steve says he's against the public safety charter amendment, saying it gives too much authority to the City Council (the proverbial "14 bosses"). Steve and John go back and forth in disagreement over the wisdom of the strong mayor ballot measure. John gives Steve one last opportunity to renounce his Carol Becker endorsement. Steve declines. But we are able close the show on a note of agreement.

[If you are concerned about why only two BET candidates appeared this week: a third candidate was scheduled and rescheduled. On two separate occasions this candidate just did not show up. I tried.]

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