From Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, to the legendary politics of the “Minnesota Miracle” and the “No New Taxes” pledge, our history has made Minnesota what it is today. Yet to create a future that’s as bold and bright as what we’ve enjoyed, it’s going to take new thinking—thinking that’s “outside the ox”—where we question our assumptions; where our history informs but doesn’t stand in the way of new ideas.

What do you think? What city services do you and your family use?
What would it mean for you if those services were reduced or eliminated?
How should these services be paid for?
Share your comments, photos, or video clips here.

Broader Thinking,
Better Solutions
From brushing our teeth, to driving to work, to walking the dog, we use city services every day. Those services are getting more and more difficult to pay for. Finding new funding solutions requires broadening the conversation—who’s having it, and what it’s about.

It’s your future … be part of creating “outside the ox” solutions by sharing your comments on this blog.

The comments posted here will be collected and shared as part of community conversations about cities, services, and funding in the weeks and months to come.

For more on the services cities provide, check out:

For more on the sponsor of this effort, the League of Minnesota Cities, visit www.lmc.org

Comment Policy

outside the ox's profile »

March 1, 2011

This spring, The League of Minnesota Cities will host a series of Community Conversations around the state, engaging citizens in discussions about the financial conditions cities are facing now and in the years to come. Watch this site for information in the coming weeks for more information. Your participation will help shape the future of city services and funding in Minnesota. For more information about the services cities provide, visit www.citiesmatter.org. Learn more about the challenges cities are facing in this video.”

Comments [0]

March 1, 2011

How should state and local governments come together to provide vital services? Become part of the conversation.

Comments [0]

February 16, 2011

The Governor proposes to protect local government aid for cities. The Legislature says reduce it. What do you think? What are some other options?

Comments [4]

December 8, 2010

What role should the state have in funding city services? What advice would you give the new governor and new legislators?

Comments [2]

November 23, 2010

A survey conducted by the League of Minnesota Cities showed that nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents in the state indicated they believe that city government plays a “very important” role in quality of life, with another 35 percent believing the city role to be “somewhat important.” What do you think? What role, if any, do you believe a city government plays in a community's quality of life?

Comments [2]

August 25, 2010

Share your ideas on city services and funding

Click on “Comments” below the video to share your thinking. If you could start from a blank canvas, what city services would you create and how would you want to pay for them?

Comments [9]

August 16, 2010

Visit the Outside the Ox booth in the Grandstand Building at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair! And, watch the video (below) then weigh-in with your thoughts about the future of our cities.

Comments [1]

June 28, 2010

Going broke in 5 years: New projection shows the fiscal breaking point for

Minnesota cities of all sizes and in all regions of the state will occur in the year 2015.

Share your ideas on city services and funding

Click on “Comments” below the video to share your thinking. If you could start from a blank canvas, what city services would you create and how would you want to pay for them?

Watch the video...