Melvin Carter (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melvin Carter
55th Mayor of St. Paul
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2, 2018
Preceded by	Chris Coleman
Member of the Saint Paul City Council from the 1st ward
In office January 8, 2008 – July 5, 2013
Preceded by	Debbie Montgomery
Succeeded by	Dai Thao
Personal details
Born	Melvin Whitfield Carter III (1979-01-08) January 8, 1979 (age 46) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sakeena Futrell
Education	Florida A&M University (BS) University of Minnesota (MPP)

Melvin Whitfield Carter III was born on January 8, 1979. He is the current mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was first elected in 2017 and then reelected in 2021. Mayor Carter is the 55th mayor of St. Paul. He is also the first African American mayor of the city. His current term as mayor will end on January 1, 2026.

Mayor Carter has worked to increase the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour. He also helped start a group called Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity. This group works to create programs that help make up for past injustices in their cities.

Early Life and Education

Melvin Carter in 2018

Melvin Carter was born and grew up in the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul. His father, Melvin Whitfield Carter Jr., was a police officer in Saint Paul. His mother, Toni Carter, works for Ramsey County. Melvin Carter is a fourth-generation resident of Saint Paul. He still lives in the Rondo neighborhood with his wife, Sakeena Futrell-Carter, and their children.

During junior high and high school, Carter was part of the Talented Youth in Mathematics Program. He graduated from Saint Paul Central High School. In 1997, he helped his school's track team finish third in the state meet. He won the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter races. He also placed second in the long jump.

Carter earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida A&M University. While there, he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Later, he earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Public Service Career

City Council Member

Melvin Carter served as a member of the Saint Paul City Council from 2008 to 2013. He was also a vice chair of the council. During this time, he helped create the Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity. This department works to ensure fair treatment and equal chances for everyone.

He also supported laws like "Ban the Box." This law helps people with past mistakes get a fair chance when applying for jobs. He also worked to make sure landlords told renters if a property was going to be taken by the bank. In 2010, he started the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood. This program brought people together to improve education in schools.

After his time on the City Council, Carter became the Director of the Office of Early Learning. This office is part of the Minnesota Department of Education. He started this job in the summer of 2013.

Mayor of St. Paul

As mayor, Carter has worked on several important projects. He helped raise the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour. He also created the Office of Financial Empowerment. This office helps people learn how to manage their money better.

He launched CollegeBound Saint Paul, a program that helps families save money for college. He also started the People's Prosperity Pilot. This program gives 150 families $500 each month for 18 months to help them financially. Mayor Carter's administration has a slogan: "Building a city that works for us all means we all must do the work."

Key Issues and Programs

Housing Support

Mayor Carter introduced The Housing Trust Fund to help with affordable housing in St. Paul. This program helps people with low and middle incomes find stable and affordable places to live. He also started The Families First Housing Pilot. This program gives financial help with rent and other services to families in need. It works with St. Paul Public Schools to help families with children in those schools.

In 2023, Carter added more money to an Inheritance Fund. This fund lends money to homeowners in certain neighborhoods to help them fix up their homes. The goal is to help residents build wealth through their homes. Carter has also discussed ways to adjust Saint Paul's rent control rules. He believes these rules have slowed down new home building in the city.

Helping Immigrants

In 2021, Mayor Carter started programs to help immigrants and refugees in St. Paul. The St. Paul Immigrant Legal Defense Fund provides legal help to immigrants. This is for those who might be held or sent out of the country. It helps refugees or immigrants who earn less than a certain amount of money.

He also introduced Welcoming St. Paul: Immigrant and Refugee Program. This program helps new immigrants and refugees settle into the city. It also helps them access important services.

Minimum Wage Increase

In 2018, Mayor Carter signed a Minimum Wage Ordinance for St. Paul. This law increases the minimum wage each year for residents. It started in 2020 and continues to rise. By July 2024, the minimum wage in St. Paul for large businesses was $15.57 per hour. For small businesses, it was $15 per hour.

Other City Initiatives

In 2023, Carter suggested a plan to get rid of $110 million in medical debt for over 45,000 St. Paul residents. This would use money from COVID relief funds to help a foundation called RIP Medical Debt. In 2018, Carter also announced that he would cancel late fees at libraries across St. Paul. This decision was made after library staff showed him how many people could not check out books because of late fees. This change took effect on January 1, 2020.

He also launched CollegeBound St. Paul. This fund gives each child in the city $50 in a savings account for higher education. Parents can add more money to these accounts over time.

Budget Plans

In his budget plan for 2024, Mayor Carter focused on crime, city improvements, and property taxes. His plan included money to help reduce property taxes for families. He also proposed using state safety aid money for gun violence programs. Some funds would also go to the fire and police departments and parks to make the city safer.

In November 2023, St. Paul voters approved a sales tax increase that Carter had suggested. This money will be used to improve roads. He also proposed free swimming lessons for children under 10.

Important Appointments

Chief of Police

On November 1, 2022, Mayor Carter appointed Axel Henry as the new chief of police for St. Paul.

Other Leaders

In October 2022, Carter appointed Jamie Wascalus as the director and CIO of the Office of Technology and Communications. He also appointed Stefanie Horvath as its deputy director and Chief Information Security Officer.

Elections

2017 Mayoral Election

In 2017, Melvin Carter ran for mayor with four main ideas: people, places, partnership, and community policing. He supported a $15 minimum wage and wanted to help new businesses open. He also spoke out against certain federal immigration policies. He aimed to help people with mental health and addiction issues. He won this election, becoming the mayor of St. Paul.

2021 Mayoral Election

As the current mayor, Carter ran for reelection in 2021. He again focused on building and protecting communities. He also proposed a program to give guaranteed income to families with lower incomes. Carter emphasized building wealth for the community as a whole. He also suggested a new budget to address the city's needs and improve its infrastructure. He was reelected as mayor.

Personal Life

Melvin Carter ran the 2024 Twin Cities Marathon. He finished the race in 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds.