Morning Edition

Mayor Frey says new budget prioritizes too many 'pet projects'

A man looks sideways
Mayor Jacob Frey listens during a Minneapolis City Council meeting on Jan. 25.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Only hours before the Minneapolis City Council overturned his mayoral veto, Mayor Jacob Frey shared why he disagreed with the Council’s 2025 budget.

“There were cuts to basic service,” Frey said. “Can we still do it? Of course, we will. … But the truth is, we want to be able to do it more efficiently, and the Council, in many cases, cut our ability to do so.”

The new budget, proposed and now adopted, by the City Council suggested an additional $6 million in spending, much of which, is taken from the city reserves. Council members who supported the amended budget said it directly addressed unmet needs of Minneapolis residents.

Frey said otherwise.

“I’ve either voted for or signed into law, 10 budgets at this point. This is the 11th. I don’t take this lightly, but this budget is reckless,” he said.

To listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.