JANUARY

• Can Minnesota be Generous Without Being Robbed Blind?

Legislative Auditor Judy Randall discussed the recent rampant fraud cases in state-funded public assistance programs and how Minnesota can improve oversight.
Date: Tuesday, January 27
Recording and summary

FEBRUARY

• Lessons from the Leadership of Martin Sabo

How good public policy can regain a foothold in the Minnesota Legislature

Retired Star Tribune editorial writer Lori Sturdevant will discuss insights from her new book, “Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature.”
Date: Wednesday, February 25
Recording and summary

MARCH

• Is the Fourth Estate Dead?

Or is journalism fledging a new golden age of independence

Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of The Minnesota Reformer, will discuss
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 7 - 8 p.m.

APRIL

• Higher Education's Role in Promoting Civil Discourse and Bridging the Political Divides

Rob Visher, University of St. Thomas president, will discuss.
Date: April TBD

Lori Sturdevant Legislative Lessons from the Leadership of Martin Sabo How good public policy can regain a foothold in the Minnesota Legislature February 25, 2026 Judy Randall Can Minnesota Be Generous Without Being Robbed Blind Legislative Auditor Judy Randall discusses the recent rampant fraud cases in state-funded public assistance programs and how Minnesota can improve oversight January 27, 2026 Dane Smith and Mitch Pearlstein Whither the Policy Wonk: Good Public Policy Through the Marketplace of Ideas Mitch Pearlstein, founder of the Center of the American Experiment, and Dane Smith, president emeritus of Growth & Justice, discuss the value and roles of think tanks in public policy August 19, 2025 Don Gemberling Keeping Public Data Public and Government Transparent Minnesota’s public data champion Don Gemberling discusses how the loss of government transparency threatens faith in democracy and how citizens can fight back. July 30, 2025 T Williams Timeless Lessons of Community Leadership and Partnerships Long-time Minneapolis activist T Williams discusses how the successful community coalitions of the past should be models for positive social change today. July 8, 2025 Peter Hutchinson Public Budgeting Through Transparent Priority Setting Former Minnesota commissioner of finance and superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools says rather than worrying about how much to tax and spend, policymakers should be focusing on delivering outcomes that taxpayers want and expect. May 27, 2025 Lucy Gerold and John Delmonico Better Policing Through Leadership, Accountability, and Partnership Former Minneapolis Police officers outline practical lessons from their time on the force, and recommend ways to build community trust with a guardian, not a warrior, culture. May 13, 2025 T. Williams Twin Cities community leader The early Urban Coalition was a forum to deal with issues of race, poverty, violence. We must learn from the past to face today's challenges. April 09, 2021 John Brandl University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute professor We're not angels; we need constraints. We think of politics only as a clash of interest groups. If that's all politics is, the government won't work. We need virtue. Placing virtue into the process becomes possible when nongovernmental entities that depend on good will are given an opportunity to provide services. September 14, 2005 David Durenberger Former U.S. senator from Minnesota Minnesota has lost its appetite for rebuilding civic infrastructure and developing creative policy ideas. We need to reinvigorate that legacy of community engagement for the collective good. October 09, 2015 Paul Ostrow Former City Council President Minneapolis voters must be given right to choose more effective, accountable, transparent form of city government January 8, 2021

Civic Directory