The St. Paul City Council's newest members flexed their muscles Wednesday night, voting 5-1 to approve a city budget they spearheaded despite Mayor Melvin Carter's concerns. Why it matters: The vote was a pivotal show of political gumption by four council members just completing their first year in office,

Council members urged scrutiny of police spending as Mayor Melvin Carter criticized the council budget as ‘accounting gimmicks.’

The Saint Paul mayor and city council are at odds with the tax levy increase as the city works to pass a new budget.