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Listen: Watchdogs, former city leaders outline St. Paul's dire fiscal future

downtown st paul skyline
Downtown St. Paul skyline is pictured on May 1.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

A new report from a group of former St. Paul city leaders, a journalist, a developer and other self-proclaimed watchdogs raises concerns over the city’s finances and fiscal future.

St. Paul has one of the state’s highest property tax rates and the highest sales tax — 9.88 percent — but the group says there are financial storm clouds ahead.

Fred Melo, St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter, dug into the report and gathered responses from current city leaders. He joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to parse findings and recommendations to “right the ship.”