Audio Rybak, McLaughlin spar over transit, public safety (story audio) Photos Debate McLaughlin Rybak More from MPR Rybak, McLaughlin advance in Minneapolis mayor race (09/14/2005) Tools E-mail this page Print this page Sponsor

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, far left, and his challenger Peter McLaughlin, far right, debated Wednesday in front of an audience of high rise residents of the city. (MPR Photo/Tom Scheck)

The two candidates for mayor of Minneapolis Wednesday sparred over city spending, public transportation, and crime. It was the first debate between Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin since the Sept. 13 primary. The candidates also fielded questions from residents of the high rises along Cedar Ave. where the debate took place.

Minneapolis, Minn. — The debate, hosted by the Minneapolis High Rise Representative Council, featured a diverse audience. Teenagers sat next to senior citizens. Long-time residents mixed with newly arrived immigrants.

At one point in the debate, the moderator reminded Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan that the sun had set and they could break their fast and eat.

Both R.T. Rybak and Peter McLaughlin focused on issues of concern to residents of the public housing facilities while trying to showcase their leadership abilities.

McLaughlin, who as a county commissioner has pushed for light rail, pointed to the LRT line just outside of the building and said he helped lead the effort to get the train running.

"It's fair to say that no local official has done more work, and more effective work, on transit in this region than I have in the last 15 years," McLaughlin said.

Several audience members asked questions about transit service. Many who live in the city's high rises rely on the city's buses and trains for transportation.

Rybak reminded the audience that he spoke out against proposed fare increases and cuts to bus service. Those changes occurred, but Rybak said he'll continue to speak out for more transit options.

"The people who ride the buses are the people who provide the sweat and the equity of this city," said Rybak. "They power this community and I will continue to fight tooth and nail for that. We need a public transit system that's much stronger than this one."

On the issue of crime, Rybak said his proposed budget would add 71 police officers to the force by the spring 2006. He said public safety has always been his top priority.

But challenger McLaughlin said Rybak has not done enough to protect the citizens of the state's largest city. He said the rate of violent crime, including murder, is higher than a year ago.

McLaughlin says he wants to add 150 police officers to the force over the next five years. He says he'll pay for it by reforming the city's pension funds, getting more state aid and relying on future tax revenues.

"By hiring additional police officers, we're going to get back to having a police officer over here at Cedar Riverside," McLaughlin said. "We'll have police officers working closely again with our neighborhood associations and our business associations, to go beyond just chasing crime to actually preventing crime."

"Anybody who says that they have a promise to you in a campaign better tell you where they're going to take the money from," Rybak responded.

Rybak said McLaughlin has made several campaign promises that he won't be able to pay for without massive tax increases.

Rybak said he's had to balance six budgets during his first term as mayor. He also said he'll continue to pay down the city's debt, while McLaughlin wants to pull out the city's credit card to pay for all of his campaign promises.

"He's promised -- when he's been in front of the neighborhood revitalization program, it's 10 million more dollars, add 150 more cops here, add firefighters over there," said Rybak. "All of those individually are good things, but it's tens of millions of dollars in new spending. It can't be done. Either that or taxes are going to go through the roof."

McLaughlin said Rybak hasn't been as fiscally prudent as he portrays himself. For example, McLaughlin said he and the other members of the Hennepin County Board have increased property taxes 4 percent per year over the last four years.

McLaughlin said city property taxes have increased 8 percent a year during the same time period. McLaughlin said many homeowners are worried that they won't be able to afford an annual 8 percent increase.

"Property taxes are putting great pressure on many homeowners in the city, particularly those on fixed incomes, so we have to keep our eye on the property tax bill," said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin didn't say how he would keep property taxes in check if elected.

As in any campaign, each candidate accused the other of misquoting him or unfairly characterizing his positions on the issues. But they did agree on several items, including their unhappiness over state and federal budget cuts.

The two DFLers said whomever is elected mayor on Nov. 8 needs to work to make sure additional cuts don't happen. The two candidates will meet in at least five more debates between now and the election.