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Dear Friends,
This year, due to the political alignment in St. Paul, it has been an ambitious and busy start to the year. It has been tremendously rewarding to testify in support of reproductive freedom, drivers licenses for all, and a ban on the harmful and quack practice of conversion therapy — as three among many topics where I am honored to carry forward yours and the county’s priorities. Those three bills have been signed into law; we have still ahead land conservancy, affordable housing, and — something our region urgently needs and deserves — long-term sustainable transit funding.
 Testifying at the State Capitol for long-term sustainable transit funding.
I hope 2023 has been going well for you. Usually I send a letter out early in the year to highlight accomplishments of the previous year, share board assignments, and lay out my plans for the coming year and now felt like the right time to do that.
2022 Highlights as Chair
In 2022, it was my honor to serve as Chair of the Board for the fourth consecutive year. Hallmarks of my tenure are the county’s continued focus on addressing disparities, innovation and nimbleness as the region’s biggest social safety net during a global pandemic, and accessibility and transparency. The county enterprise – one that serves 1.3 million residents via human services, healthcare, infrastructure, and justice – demonstrated resilience that was a reflection of the people we serve.
In addition to stewarding millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds towards initiatives that are changing the longstanding legacy of disparities in Hennepin County, policy accomplishments in my time as chair are:
- Massive expansion of Hennepin’s investment in deeply affordable housing,
- Leadership in addressing climate change via the launch of the county’s Climate Action Plan,
- Regional infrastructure wins like working with federal partners to secure a RAISE grant to enhance the Lake Street corridor. US Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg himself came to see how Hennepin County plans to leverage those crucial funds.
 US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, me, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle on a transit tour of Lake Street in Minneapolis. (Photo: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune)
A Year of Accomplishments
Hennepin’s single room occupancy (SRO) housing strategy won national and statewide awards. Four of the five multi-unit buildings that the County purchased and is converting to single room occupancy — apartments that provide basic, independent housing that is affordable and accessible to people experiencing homelessness and households with very low incomes who can afford modest rents — are in District 3. On the whole, the county established a goal of 2,100 new units of affordable housing in 2022, and we surpassed that by 621.
Above: me speaking at a supportive housing ribbon cutting ceremony.
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In 2022, changes on Lyndale Avenue between Franklin and Lake Street transformed the way Whittier and Wedge residents interact with this busy street. The 4-to-3 lane conversion rendered this stretch much safer for drivers, walkers, and rollers alike, and (judging from the enthusiastic resident response) has elevated the way residents and families experience these thriving neighborhoods. This work is exactly the kind of community-responsive change guiding evolution of Minnetonka Boulevard between Lake Street and Highway 100, and is the kind of public works investment I will continue to champion on county roads in our most densely populated areas. This is how we will make these larger streets safer for all users, for thriving walk-and-rollable multigenerational communities.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, I led the board in an initiative to communicate just how important comprehensive healthcare is to the county and our residents. Via the budget process, I identified $250K to be dedicated to gender affirming and reproductive health care. This initiative was co-authored by Commissioners Conley and Fernando, and passed the board unanimously.
In November, I read for the first time ever at a board meeting the Hennepin County Land and Water Acknowledgement, the creation of which was led in partnership with indigenous community leaders. The Acknowledgement signifies a commitment to partnership along with actionable steps towards education, reconciliation, and stronger support of the American Indian community through county resources and connection. We dedicated a Tribal Flag Lending Library that will operate out of the Franklin Library in Minneapolis. This is a living initiative that will continue to evolve as our work deepens and our partnerships grow.
Above: me with Ho-Chunk Nation Council Member Robert Pilot, who offered an opening prayer.
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Looking Forward to 2023
When I first joined the board, there were 92 years of collective seniority between my six colleagues. Reflecting the generational change happening in so many spheres, I’m now the senior member of the board with eight years of tenure, half of those years serving as chair. Looking at the current board, few would be able to name a county board that matches this group of seven’s alignment on the most important issues facing our residents and region.
In 2023 I am excited to have transitioned from Chair of the Board to Chair of the County Regional Railroad Authority. This enables me to focus my work on transit, transportation, and housing. My goals for the year:
- Securing long-term sustainable funding for transit, in partnership with legislative champions
- Advancing designs for the rebuild of a large section of Minnetonka Boulevard in St. Louis Park, to be ready for construction in 2024
- Regional funding for affordable housing, again in partnership with the legislature
- Finalizing the county’s Zero Waste Plan, a key element of our Climate Action Plan
Advancing the common good requires collaboration with many stakeholders, jurisdictions, advocacy groups, and the District 3 community. My work is impossible without you, and I am grateful for your input as we work together to improve the lives of Hennepin County residents present and future.
Please continue to be in touch with your views, priorities, hopes, and aspirations for our region. It is a privilege to serve you.
My best,
 Marion Greene
Commissioner, District 3
Chair, Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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