Linea Palmisano: Responses to We Love Minneapolis candidate screener

The following are the responses to the candidate screener conducted by We Love Minneapolis:

Name: Linea Palmisano

Website: https://lineapalmisano.org/

Ward: Ward 13

Endorsements – Do you plan on seeking the endorsement of any political parties, groups, or organizations?: Yes- DFL, labor, other electeds, other questionnaires as I am able

Money raised in 2025: $13K (plus 50K carryover from 2024)

To what political parties and/or organizations do you belong (Ex: DFL, GOP, DSA, Green, Independent)? Please list all that apply: DFL

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being most progressive and 10 being the most conservative, how would you rate yourself on the scale? 4

If elected, what will be your top three priorities? NOTE: Above answer is across Democrats, NOT across all parties! Top 3 priorities= Public Safety, Delivering city services with excellence, environment/healthy Mpls

Current Property Taxes in Minneapolis: Are too high and should be reduced

The City has committed to transforming George Floyd Square in a way that honors community values and vision for the future. What option do you support for this transformation? A Flexible Open-Street concept that would support development at the People’s Way.

What concept do you support for 3000 Minnehaha Ave, the site of the former Third Police Precinct? Election and Voter Services/Democracy center plus community space

Do you support the City of Minneapolis moving forward a Boycott, Divestment and Sanction policy against Israel where possible? No

Do you support the removal of I-94 through Minneapolis and replacement with a boulevard and/or public transit? No

The City of Minneapolis has a Separation Ordinance in place preventing city employees from asking about immigration status – do you support this ordinance? Yes

What should the City do to generate missing revenue as downtown building values fall? Work with the state on tax relief/funding support initiatives, support conversion of office space to housing, be more careful about budgeting (zero based budgeting is a helpful tool in this effort)

What is the appropriate role of the City Council in developing policy and providing services under the ‘Executive Mayor’ system? The City Council serves as a legislative body, primarily tasked with enacting local laws and policies, adopting operating and capital budgets, and oversight of the executive branch.

What would you prioritize in immediate future city budgets? Focus more on core functions for which the city is currently primarily responsible like police, fire, and road maintenance.

Should a Labor Standards Board be revisited, its composition should be: Business and Labor have equal representation

If you answered “something else” in the previous question, please explain here: n/a

Increased vibrancy and activity downtown is important for: Everyone in Minneapolis

Minneapolis small and local business owners receive: Too little support from the City Council

How important is economic health and the business environment in Minneapolis? One of the top three most important issues facing our city

Do you believe that Minneapolis currently has a hospitable business climate? Yes

I believe that perception of crime: Has a real impact on local businesses and should be taken seriously by city policymakers

What should the City Government do to support small and local businesses? Local government should ensure that small and local business owners have a key voice in the development and adoption of policies that impact them. Policies must reflect the reality and experiences of small businesses in our City.

Would you support a strict rent control policy with rents capped at 3%? No

If yes, do you support exemptions for new construction? n/a

Are you open to supporting a different version of rent control than a strict 3% cap? No

In general, what effect do you believe the production of market-rate housing have on other units in the area? Decreases rent through increasing supply

Do you support the Revised Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal Ordinance? No

Do you think we need additional renter protections? Yes

If yes, what protections would you support? the ones we’ve already passed are some of the strongest renter protections in the *country*. I think we should evaluate how they are working and if they are achieving their intended goals. I do not foresee other ones at this point as a benefit.

The existence of homeless encampments is (can answer more than one): A public health and safety emergency, Harmful to those living in and near encampments

Should encampment closures be halted? No

What is an immediate and urgent solution to our Encampment situation in Mpls? The City of Minneapolis should immediately address the formation of encampments to prevent the concentration of violent crime and drug and human trafficking. The City should continue to work in partnership with Hennepin County–one of the few places in the nation to be successfully decreasing unsheltered homelessness–and support access to housing and wraparound services.

Do you support the minimum police officer mandate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents? No, I don’t believe the Charter should include a mandate, but I support returning to 2020 staffing levels (~900 officers).

As a city council member, would you support increasing funding for recruitment, hiring, and retention of officers as the mayor proposed and City Council majority rejected in their 2024 and 2025 budgets? Yes

Do you support the Office of Community Safety Department of Neighborhood Safety’s (DNS) RFP process awarding contracts to organizations through a basic competitive bidding process with expert-informed “best practices” proposal evaluations? Yes

Do you support the Department of Neighborhood Safety requiring data-driven accountability and reporting by violence interruption/prevention groups? Yes

With regard to public safety do you feel like the city’s more pressing issue currently is police accountability or staffing levels? Staffing levels

The City reached a federal consent decree with President Biden’s Department of Justice. Despite President Trump’s administration indicating it may abandon efforts to finalize the decree, Mayor Frey has stated he will support the city and the MPD complying with the agreement even if it’s not enforced by the federal courts. Do you agree? Yes

Do you believe Shotspotter is a valuable tool? Yes

Should ShotSpotter be expanded to include additional high-crime areas? Yes

What role should the City Council have in improving public safety? The City Council should ensure the department has adequate resources to recruit new officers, including funding the existing “Imagine Yourself” campaign, and can offer pay that is competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. We must do so while continuing to build out a comprehensive public safety “ecosystem”.