Priority Issues + Impact
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As violent federal attacks on immigrants continue to escalate, local leadership is increasingly the last line of protection. To our immigrant communities: I will never stop fighting for your safety, your dignity, and your right to belong.
Accomplishments:
I publicly defended immigrant rights and condemned the increase in violent immigration enforcement, as federal policy grows hostile.
I helped expand the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, ensuring residents have access to free legal representation regardless of immigration status.
I strengthened Adult Representation Services, increasing capacity for immigrant legal support and culturally responsive council.
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With the undeniable crisis of democracy in our country, leadership in this moment means naming the crisis honestly and acting with courage. I believe we must absolutely refuse to normalize the erosion of our rights and we must choose to be brave together so that shared humanity will prevail.
Accomplishments:
Helped to protect $170M in federal funding through court orders, helping maintain critical services and safeguard vulnerable residents during federal funding cuts.
Advanced a historic county investment in the 2020 Census by proposing $1.2M for outreach and securing $320,000 in the county budget to support an accurate, inclusive count.
Distributed $5.7M in federal CARES funding for election resources, expanding absentee voting capacity, staffing, and safety measures during the 2020 election.
Expanded voter access countywide by securing $1.3M for voter registration support, absentee voting education, and upgraded ballot-scanning infrastructure.
Implemented automatic voter registration and Restore the Vote updates, ensuring more eligible residents – including people returning from incarceration–can participate in elections.
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With federal instability and rising housing costs outpacing wages, local government is the first and last line of defense against displacement. I am committed to ensuring that every resident – regardless of income, background, or circumstance – can live with dignity and stay housed in the communities they call home.
Accomplishments:
Launched a 10-year, $91 million strategy through the Housing & Redevelopment Authority to build 1,000 deeply affordable homes (≤ 30% area median income) with on-site services.
Helped effectively end veteran homelessness in Hennepin County, meeting federal benchmarks so veterans are moved into permanent housing in under 90 days on average.
I eliminated the pay-to-stay model in shelters, ensuring people experiencing homelessness can keep their resources and rebuild stability.
Expanded renter supports: emergency assistance in housing court, tenant-based rental assistance, and an affordable housing stabilization fund to keep people housed.
Advanced Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing, converting properties into low-barrier units aligned with public health needs.
With federal instability and rising housing costs outpacing wages, local government is the first and last line of defense against displacement. I am committed to ensuring that every resident – regardless of income, background, or circumstance – can live with dignity and stay housed in the communities they call home.
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As reproductive rights face growing attacks at the federal and state levels, local government must serve as a defender. Safety from harm and full bodily autonomy are inherent human rights, and I will never stop working to ensure Hennepin County protects access to care, safety, and dignity for all.
Accomplishments:
Alongside Commissioner Conley, I authored a resolution that directed staff to produce a report that outlines Hennepin’s current efforts to address Domestic Violence. Hennepin County is focused on long-term strategies for preventing, reducing, and mitigating the impact of Domestic Violence on survivors, their families, bystanders, and our community-at-large.
Secured continued county funding for reproductive health, birth justice, and gender-affirming providers serving marginalized communities.
Supported the Protect Reproductive Options Act, ensuring that every Minnesotan now has a fundamental right to make decisions about their own reproductive health, including the right to use or refuse reproductive health care, to continue a pregnancy and give birth, and to obtain an abortion.
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With federal cuts and rising health needs, local leadership is crucial to protecting safety-net healthcare and addressing health disparities that have been ignored for generations. We must continue to fight and invest more to achieve health equity for all.
Accomplishments:
I helped strengthen Hennepin Healthcare, helping preserve and stabilize Minnesota’s last public safety-net hospital during a period of major financial troubles and leadership transition.
Expanded culturally specific reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, securing continued county funding for providers serving marginalized residents.
Commissioner Conley and I declared racism a public health crisis, committing the county to addressing inequities in outcomes, access, and investment.
Invested in youth behavioral health, including funding a new regional youth crisis stabilization center.
Ensured widespread access to NARCAN for county staff, expanding overdose prevention and life-saving capacity.
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Affordable and accessible transit leads to more equitable health access, educational opportunity, career pathways, connections to human services, as well as dining, retail, entertainment, and family & civic celebrations. Every resident deserves access to safe, affordable, and reliable public transit across Hennepin County.
Accomplishments:
Led the new direction for the Blue Line Extension, restarting the stalled project and ensuring it centers North Minneapolis residents, workers, families, and affordability.
Commissioner Lunde and I created the first anti-displacement workgroup of its kind, ensuring the Blue Line Extension protects current residents and businesses.
Advocated to increase the wheelage tax, securing $10M annually for safer, well-maintained county roads.
Secured funding for the Highway 55 Bus Rapid Transit study, expanding safe, reliable multimodal transportation options.
Learn more about Irene’s public committments.