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January 30, 2018
Happy New Year! I hope your 2018 is
off to a good start. As the year gets underway, I want to recap 2017 and let
you know what to look forward to in the New Year.
Thank you for the opportunity to
serve you on the county board. Hennepin County continues to focus on our core
mission of enhancing the health, safety and quality of life of our residents
and communities. Hennepin County is the safety net for those who need it, and a
champion of the common good. Needless to
say, 2017 was a busy year.
Stabilizing
and strengthening children and families
- Joined by many neighbors and advocates, I
championed two initiatives that support residents ensnared in deportation
proceedings: a fund for the legal defense of detained immigrant residents, and
an innovative effort to provide "know your rights" information for
county residents at booking that communicates, in multiple languages, that they
are not required to talk to ICE (federal immigration).
- Our work last year on financial inclusion
(making financial services accessible and affordable to all individuals,
regardless of net worth) is leading to changes at the county: human resources
has identified this as a key initiative for county employee wellbeing, and
human services has identified this as key strategy in conjunction with the
county’s focus on equity.
-
This year I succeeded in adding dedicated investigative
and prosecutorial staff to supplement the county’s excellent human services
response for victim-survivors of trafficking. This is key to attacking demand.
Health
and wellness for the entire community
- The County led the nation in creative ways
to address the affordable housing crisis, by establishing the NOAH (naturally
occurring affordable housing) fund. Our $3 million of seed money sparked $22
million of investment from partners, to fuel a revolving fund enabling
affordable housing landlords to compete on the open market for properties that
are primed for redevelopment.
- Hennepin County has joined other counties
to bring lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors for the public
costs of the opioid crisis.
- Hennepin County Public Health earned
national awards for our response to the measles outbreak earlier in the year.
- The Board awarded Youth Sports grants to
refurbish the Loring Park and Morgan (serving Washburn) tennis courts, and for
two fastpitch softball fields in St. Louis Park.
Infrastructure
-
Due to a process defined by state law, the
Hennepin County Board was in a position to reaffirm the recommendation of the
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board that the Dakota name Bde Maka Ska be
restored to Lake Calhoun. My office hosted a forum on the topic and process (a
recording of which can be found at www.hennepin.us/greene, and soon by
searching “Greene Room” at your podcast provider).
- The board is prioritizing safety for those
who walk, bike and roll in Hennepin County. The 2018 budget includes a significant
safety fund, and the county hired a dedicated traffic safety engineer.
- In 2017, the county assumed a greater role
in transit funding after the decade-long five-county partnership known as CTIB
(Counties Transit Improvement Board) came to an end.
These are highlights; to find out
more about my work in 2017, take a look at archived newsletters on my website www.hennepin.us/greene, and sign
up for my monthly newsletter at bit.ly/D3Newsletter.
Together we elevated our shared
values of human rights, economic equity, and health and wellness for all. That
work has become the foundation of what is possible at county government, and is
guiding my work in the year ahead:
- Examining the feasibility and process for
independent management of the county crime lab, which currently reports to law
enforcement, to reflect best practices and ensure the impartiality of justice
at every level.
- Studying the bail system, and considering
models for replacement that ensure we do not criminalize being poor.
- Maximizing opportunities for innovation at
Hennepin Health, the county’s innovative accountable care organization. As
chair of its board I am positioning it for the “next big thing” in payment and
health care delivery reform.
- Reviewing the county vehicle fleet in
order to cement the case that we shift to electric vehicles
Thank you again for the opportunity
to work for you. Please continue to be in touch with your views, priorities,
ideas, hopes, and aspirations for our region. It is a privilege to serve you.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
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