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Dear District 6 residents and neighbors,
As May ends and June begins, we are marking a turning point toward summer. This past weekend, I attended several graduation parties, and many schools celebrated their last day of the year on Friday!
June is an exciting month for families across our district; it marks the start of cabin trips, time on the lake, park visits, and plenty of ice cream. It is also a time for celebration and reflection, with important opportunities to recognize and uplift community members across our county and state.
This month, we honor Pride Month and Juneteenth, as well as Gun Violence Awareness Day and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. June reminds us to come together to celebrate one another and the qualities that make our communities so vibrant.
It has also been a busy time in Hennepin County. We have continued investing in housing and passed our first Middle and High School Art Competition, set to launch this fall in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia). I had the pleasure of attending the Edina Asian American Festival and even laced up my sneakers for a 5K! While my sons and I opted for a walk, my assistant Clara took home 3rd place overall and 1st place in the women’s category - congratulations to her and all the runners!
Our office remains committed to meaningful community engagement. We are actively planning extensive summer outreach across District 6 and preparing for our annual meetings with superintendents, police and fire chiefs, mayors, and city managers. These conversations are essential to advancing shared goals across our county. We’re also building on our partnership with Hennepin EMS and local fire chiefs to improve accessibility and address community concerns collaboratively.
With the state legislative session wrapping up in St. Paul, I know a final deal is just around the corner. There has also been significant activity in Washington, D.C. I’m launching a new series in our newsletter called “Capitol Corner” to share updates and perspectives on key legislation and how it could impact our community. I hope you will take a moment to read and engage.
One of my favorite things to do during the summer is visit farmers' markets and support local growers. My office has compiled a list of markets across District 6, so be sure to check them out! If we are missing one, or if you’d like to be featured in our newsletter as a market attendee, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Finally, as the school year wraps up, I want to wish students, families, and educators a strong finish! I hope all District 6 residents have a joyful Minnesota summer filled with time outdoors and quality moments with friends and family. Summer is also a great opportunity to recommit to sustainability, reduce waste, and explore the parks, trails, and neighborhoods that make our county so special.
I look forward to seeing many of you out in the community soon!
With Gratitude,
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Meetings
The Hennepin County Board is investing in housing across District 6. In May, the Hennepin County Board approved key investments to preserve and expand affordable housing in our communities:
✅ Edina: $1.8M to preserve senior housing at South Haven & Summit Point
✅ Excelsior & Mound: $536K for South Shore Park & Westonka Estates
✅ Hopkins: $2M toward transit-oriented projects, including 38 new energy-efficient homes at 501 Main Street
✅ Minnetonka: $200K for Twin Cities Habitat’s Minnetonka Mills Project to build affordable twin homes
In total, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve $14.8 million for affordable housing. Together, these awards will create or preserve 1,093 affordable rental housing units and 37 affordable homeownership opportunities, opening doors to new neighbors, helping to end resident homelessness, and reducing racial disparities in homeownership.
The Hennepin County Board also unanimously passed my resolution creating the “Art for Well-Being” Student Art Contest in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Open to all middle and high school students in Hennepin County, the 2025 -2026 theme is “Belonging Begins Here: Our Stories, Our County, and Our Pride.”
This contest will celebrate youth creativity and mental well-being by encouraging students to reflect on identity, healing, and connection through visual art. Selected artwork will be showcased at Mia and across the County, with top entries receiving the Artist of Distinction Award. I was very proud to lead this resolution with Commissioners Anderson, Lunde, Fernando, Greene, Conley, and Goettel.
Our office stopped by the Mia to see the exhibition “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” as well as the space that will display art from the student contest.
My staff and I loved this piece by artist Nick Cave. Be sure to check out the exhibition if you haven't already!
Hennepin State of the County Event
We had a fantastic turnout for the 2025 Hennepin State of the County!
Huge thanks to all the incredible leaders from District 6 who joined us: State Representatives, Superintendents, City Council Members, Mayors, and business leaders - your presence made it extra special! The big takeaway: Hennepin County is strong and moving forward!
Here’s a quick look at what we’re tackling together:
- Boosting economic development
- Keeping our communities safe
- Expanding health & human services
- Making housing more affordable
- Supporting students & educators
- Improving roads & regional connections
Participation in National Council of Jewish Women MN Panel
It was great to join a panel discussion with the National Council of Jewish Women Minnesota on reproductive freedoms and challenges we are facing in government and political candidacy. Thank you for inviting me to participate in this important conversation!
Edina Asian American Association Festival
It was a joy to attend the Edina Asian American Association (EAAA) Festival! I caught up with friends and community members, saw remarkable drummers, and I was inspired by the many community organizations showcasing their work to make Edina a more inclusive and vibrant place for all. Shoutout to Kelly Condit-Shrestha and all of the amazing event organizers!
 District 6 Participation in 5k for Foster Adopt Minnesota
It was so fun to participate in a 5K for Foster Adopt Minnesota with my sons and Clara, our office’s assistant! This 5K supports kids in foster care - an issue close to my heart. Thank you to all who joined us at this run and congratulations to Clara for being the first woman finisher!
Award from the Minnesota Competency Attainment Board
It was an honor to receive an award from the Minnesota Competency Attainment Board alongside my friend, former Rep. Tony Albright. This program and its legislation were the result of a strong coalition - including county attorneys, public defenders, the courts, NAMI, and DHS - coming together to build a better system for everyone. I am proud of the progress we are making to ensure mental health needs are met, support services are expanded, and community safety is strengthened across the state. While full implementation may take time, I am confident that we are creating meaningful and lasting change.
Farmers' Markets in District 6
Farmers’ market season is finally upon us! District 6 is fortunate enough to have many farmers’ markets in our community, and I am very much looking forward to attending them this summer and fall. Check out this year’s markets and be sure to stop by to support our local growers!
State Government
As of June 2nd, there are 9 remaining omnibus bills that have yet to be passed by the legislature, and the Governor has stated that he may call a special session this week to help pass the remaining bills:
- Humans Service Finance Omnibus
- Education Finance and Policy bill
- Omnibus Jobs, Labor Economic Development policy and appropriations
- Omnibus Commerce and Consumer Protections policy and appropriations
- Transportation policy and finance bill
- Omnibus, Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate policy and appropriations
- Omnibus Health and Human Services policy and appropriations
- Higher education policy and finance bill
- Omnibus tax bill
You can monitor the status of omnibus bills here.
Federal Government
In Washington, D.C., the media has been covering House File 1, or what our President is referring to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM by a razor-thin one vote margin (215 ayes and 214 nays). A copy of the actual bill can be found here and a copy of the votes can be found here.
This legislation is now in the hands of the U.S. Senate, which I am hoping will drastically change the language. This legislation that passed the U.S. House poses many concerns for Minnesota and Hennepin County, including:
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Changes to Medicaid. Otherwise known as MA, or Medical Assistance, this is a government-sponsored healthcare program for low-income and vulnerable Americans. The changes proposed in this bill suggests that around 253,000 Minnesotans could lose their healthcare coverage due to the proposed changes. This could impact care at Hennepin Health, and experts predict that these changes would result in longer ER wait-times and people not getting the preventative care they need amongst other serious concerns to patient care. Please read this opinion piece published Friday, May 30th by Mohamed Omar (Chair of Hennepin Healthcare System Board of Directors) and Dr. Thomas Klemond (interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare).
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Cuts federal funding for SNAP by about $267 billion over a 10 year-period. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which used to be referred to as “food stamps,” provides low-income people and families with financial assistance to pay for groceries. Experts estimate that cuts this drastic will result in more Americans going hungry.
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The bill would also eliminate a longstanding $200 tax on gun silencers, which has been on the books since Congress passed the National Firearms Act in 1934.
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Rolling back clean energy programs. This bill would roll back some of the clean energy tax credits passed under the Biden Administration, including an earlier phase-out of the tax break on clean energy vehicles. A late addition to the bill would move up the timeline to end tax credits for new renewable energy power plants as well, requiring them to begin construction within 60 days of the enactment of the legislation and be in service by the end of 2028. The measure makes an exception for nuclear plants, which must be under construction by the end of 2028.
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Incentives to drilling and mining on public lands. To generate revenue, one section would allow increased leasing of public lands for drilling, mining and logging while clearing the path for more development to take place by speeding up government approvals. Royalty rates paid by companies to extract oil, gas and coal would be cut, reversing Biden’s attempts to curb fossil fuels to help address climate change.
There are many deeply concerning provisions in this legislation, including cuts to SNAP and MA, clean energy initiatives and much more that would impact District 6, our state and our county in ways that are harmful to some of our most vulnerable residents.
Hennepin County Resources
District 6 2025-2026 Transportation Projects
Here is a link to a map showing upcoming transportation projects for this year: Hennepin County 2025 transportation activities. Please reach out with any questions. See below for a version of the map showing projects specifically in District 6.
Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS): 2024 Accomplishments
Hennepin County receives funding from the State of Minnesota solely to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species.
In 2024, Hennepin County leveraged this funding in a variety of ways, including to expand watercraft inspections, build partnerships, give presentations, conduct education and training, provide grants, reach youth, promote actions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, initiate projects, and more.
Specific highlights in 2024 include:
- More than 8,000 inspections funded by Hennepin County were conducted.
- 1,064 people on 24 lakes and the Mississippi River have taken the pledge to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through lakepledge.com.
- 21 people participated in aquatic invasive species detector classes.
- A portable interactive AIS education display was created and made available to borrow.
- A video was developed for water access inspector training that models behavior change practices.
Read details of all AIS prevention efforts in the 2024 AIS Accomplishments report (PDF).
Interested in getting involved? Learn about volunteering with the aquatic invasive species prevention program by contacting Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
Improving Accessibility Along Our Transportation System
Hennepin County invites you to review and share feedback on our 2025 DRAFT Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The plan shares information on our continued efforts to improve accessibility for all people along our transportation system.
Learn more at BeHeard Hennepin at beheardhennepin.org/ada-transition-plan, and let us know what you think by June 30.
Embrace the Summer Fun with "Go Outside with Hennepin County"
Get ready to soak up the sun and make the most of your summer! Go Outside with Hennepin County will return to the Government Center and Target Field Station, starting June 3! Free activities include movies, pet rescue visits, fitness classes, live music performances, tasty giveaways and more.
Learn more and view the full calendar of events here: Go Outside. Please note: All events are subject to cancelation in the event of inclement weather.
At the Government Center North Plaza:
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Go Outside summer sessions - Select Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take your lunch break outside this summer to listen to live music from local musicians, enjoy giveaways, treats, and take part other free activities. Special activations include partners from: Underdog Rescue MN, Save-A-Bull, Twin Cities Pet Rescue, Sing United Choir, Alley Creations Chalk Art, and Minneapolis Aquatennial.
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Pianos on Parade - Every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. Listen to live piano performances by local artists and try your hand at playing the piano. More performances available in other locations.
At Target Field Station:
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Outdoor movie nights - Select Thursdays at 7 p.m. Enjoy family-favorite movies on the big screen and treats from local vendors for free at Target Field Station.
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Outdoor fitness classes - Select Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Get a workout in with free outdoor classes led by CorePower.
Stay Connected!
We want to ensure that our residents are as informed as they can be with County business. To that end, you can view our County Board and Committee meetings here, as well as view past meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions about viewing meetings online or in-person. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any other questions or feedback you’d like to share at heather.edelson@hennepin.us or 612-348-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner, Hennepin County District 6
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Heather Edelson
Commissioner
6th District
Raina Meyer
Policy Director
Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
Office Phone Number: 612-348-6885
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