Minneapolis City Council Member  •  Ward 9

Green Jobs for a Sustainable Future

Gary Schiff knows that economic security starts with a living wage job. That’s why he voted for Labor Peace agreements, and fought city layoffs and unfair wage cap policies. In 2009 Gary is authoring the Green Employment Minneapolis program— a new worker-benefits plan that will attract jobs by investing in transit, education and home energy improvements.

In the next four years, Gary will build on his experience creating jobs. Like the local jobs he created during the Children’s Hospital expansion. Gary convinced the hospital to set aside jobs for neighborhood residents and to use more women and minority-owned construction firms than ever before — all without any subsidies.

"I will invest in creating jobs to make city buildings energy efficient. Burners and power-lines offer 19th century solutions to 21st century energy demands. With conservation and green technology we can slow global warming and create jobs. –Gary Schiff

Safe Housing for All

Gary Schiff knows everyone deserves the opportunity to have a safe place to call home. That’s why he voted to create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, co-chaired the City County Commission To End Homelessness, and worked to site affordable housing in the Ninth Ward including housing for teen mothers, people with AIDS and senior citizens.

In the next four years, Gary will to build on his experience creating safe housing. Gary is working in the Phillips neighborhood to create the city’s first American Indian homeownership program with Little Earth of United Tribes. He has pushed for new rules to protect good renters from bad landlords. And he is creating a tenant advisory board to give renters a voice in City Hall.

It’s not about simply managing the problem, it’s about government making the commitment to end homelessness in our lifetime. –Gary Schiff

Safe Neighborhoods

Gary Schiff knows that strong neighborhoods are safe neighborhoods. That’s why he’s voted to renew funding for neighborhoods that participate in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program for another ten years –with more city investment than ever before. Gary works with block clubs to address problem properties and works with law enforcement on crime prevention strategies including gunfire detection systems and new legislation to get tough on johns.

In the next four years, Gary will use his experience lowering crime by supporting more restorative justice programs, more resources for block clubs and addressing the concentration of poverty that fuels crime.

“Serious crime in nearly every Ninth Ward neighborhood is at a six or ten year low. We will continue our progress so that every citizen has the freedom to walk down their block without fear.” –Gary Schiff

Equal Opportunity for Every Child

Growing up gay in a small town, Gary Schiff learned early on in life that equality is worth fighting for. That’s why Gary is a passionate advocate for public schools, a strong voice against domestic violence, and a promoter of youth recreational and employment opportunities.

In the next four years Gary Schiff will build on his experience keeping kids safe at school and developing youth programs and bring State, County and City resources together to prevent at-risk youth from joining gangs.

“Children who grow up surrounded by poverty and violence need to know they have opportunities. We can never accept gangs as an urban inevitability, we can never loose hope in our youth.” — Gary Schiff