Minneapolis City Council Member Betsy Hodges will serve as the public voice for issues facing Minnesota cities.
The League of Minnesota Cities, a non-profit that aids and advocates for municipalities across the state, is expected to elect Hodges president Thursday during their annual conference. That means Hodges, currently vice president, will assume a much more public role at the Capitol and elsewhere highlighting city issues.
"It's a visible face representing all cities in Minnesota," Hodges said.
Often that means going to the Capitol to advocate for improving Local Government Aid, but it could take many forms.
"It's a chance to pull allies together on a number of significant issues, including the state-city fiscal relationship, which is my key area of concern both as a council member as a member of the League board," Hodges said.
Hodges is familiar with state-city relations. She was previously chair of the Council's intergovernmental relations committee, a position that often requires advocacy at the Capitol.
While the vote technically occurs at tomorrow's luncheon, Hodges is currently the only candidate for the position.
Current intergovernmental relations chair Elizabeth Glidden offered her colleague some kudos via Facebook. "This is an influential organization that represents all the cities in Minnesota - a very big deal," Glidden wrote.
