Three candidates for mayor of St. Paul sparred over key issues the city is facing in an MPR News/Pioneer Press-hosted debate Tuesday.

Incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter defended his leadership as Rep. Kaohly Her, DFL-St. Paul, and scientist and business owner Yan Chen took swings at Carter’s record, while laying out their stances on several issues the city is facing.

Cutting costs

Asked about how they would address the rising costs for the city and inherent increases in property taxes that come with that, Chen said the city needs to look closely at each department.

She said she would like to look closely at the city’s public works department, which has a proposed general budget fund of nearly $45 million and a special fund budget of $177 million for 2025.

“Yet when I compare it to a compat

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