Issues

There are so many important issues that our communities face, that it is difficult to pick a few to talk about. There is an intersectionality to many issues which gets lost when we speak about them individually but it is necessary to start the conversation.

The Environment/Climate

Climate change is real and Minnesotans are already seeing the effects. Action needs to be taken at all levels – city, county, state, and national to reduce carbon emissions and pollution and protect our natural resources.

Affordable Housing

I have yet to have a conversation with anyone who doesn’t agree that there is a housing crisis in Hennepin County. The board has taken steps to start addressing the lack of affordable housing, but more can be done. I look forward to working towards a Hennepin County where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.

Criminal Justice

We can see, in areas where statistics are maintained, that there are disparities within our criminal justice system based on ethnicity. Simply put, people of color are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated. We need to work to remove bias from our systems so that everyone living in Hennepin County is treated with dignity.

Roads/Infrastructure/Transportation

In my conversations with people about what matters to them, the roads in our county has continued to be an issue. Some of our county roads are not safe, some are in need of repair. We need to invest in our roads and ensure that safety for vehicular, bike, and pedestrian traffic is maximized.

Public transportation is an issue that is affected by and affects the environment. Better, cleaner, more efficient transportation throughout the county is needed to improve the lives of Hennepin County residentsi

What does a County Commissioner Do?

According to the Association of Minnesota Counties – “County commissioners are a county’s key policymakers, overseeing the operation and administration of the county. Commissioners are the elected officials of a county’s legislative branch, the County Board of Commissioners, serving in a similar role as a city councilmember or a state representative or senator. Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the county’s management and administration, representing county interests at the state and federal level, participating in long-range planning, and managing the county budget and finances.”

Hennepin County Commissioners sit on the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority as well as the County Board. Hennepin County Commissioners have many specific responsibilities not the least of which is approving the county budget. The proposed 2020 county budget is 2.5 billion dollars. How that money is budgeted can greatly influence the quality of life for community members.