Priority Issues & Beliefs

Priority Issues

Commissioner Rena Moran’s work is rooted in advancing equity, strengthening families, and ensuring all communities in Ramsey County can thrive. Her priority issues focus on a strong workforce, entrepreneurship, building safe and supportive communities, stabilizing families through housing, fostering strong youth and futures, and investing in infrastructure. She is deeply committed to protecting children and families that strengthen communities across Ramsey County.

Building Safe & Supportive Communities

  • Tackling Community Trauma through healing-centered safety strategies, not increased incarceration.

  • Supporting Youth Justice Transformation to end cycles of system involvement.

  • Championing Reentry and Prevention Services for justice-involved individuals and families.

  • Promoting Community Voice and Racial Equity in criminal within decision-making.

  • Supported Workforce Policies like paid family leave and earned safe and sick time.

  • Secured $2 million for Workforce Support Programs to help residents access jobs and training.

  • Ramsey County Bail Reform: worked to reduce reliance on cash bail while improving court appearances and public safety.

  • Leading Reform of the Minnesota Child Welfare System with passage of the Minnesota African American Families Preservation & Child Welfare Disproportionality Act.

  • Pushing for Budgets with Equity in Mind, driving initiatives that strengthen families and prevent youth incarceration.

Stabilizing Families Through Housing, Workforce & Equity

  • Advancing Affordable and Supportive Housing for vulnerable families.

  • Secured $11.4 million for Housing Stability to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

  • Supported a $1 billion statewide housing package benefiting Ramsey County renters and homeowners.

  • Investing in Trauma-Informed Care, especially for youth and those impacted by the fentanyl crisis.

  • Addressing Social Determinants of Health, Housing Access, and Systemic Equity.

  • Championing Racial Equity and Upstream Investment as a leading voice behind the Minnesota Disparities Reduction Act.

  • Active in working groups to ensure successful implementation, kinship care, and cultural changes, reducing out of home placement.

  • Promoting Community Voice and Racial Equity within decision-making.

Transportation

Investment in public transit benefits all county residents. It helps people get to where they need to go – work, school, healthcare, groceries – regardless of age, income or mobility challenges. Our transit projects also include safety and accessibility improvements for people rolling, walking and cycling as well. Everyone benefits from reduced pollution and more opportunities for healthy activity.

Commissioner Moran’s Contributions:

  • Championed equitable access by advocating for expanded and affordable public transit routes connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services.

  • Promoted multimodal safety by supporting investments that make roads safer and more accessible for walkers, cyclists, and individuals using mobility devices.

  • Advanced sustainable mobility by helping prioritize projects that reduce emissions and improve air quality, aligning with the county’s climate and health goals.

Environment

Rena believes in Ramsey County prioritizes a healthy environment by addressing climate change, focusing on environmental justice for vulnerable communities, and offering resources for waste reduction, soil health, and water conservation through initiatives like the Climate Equity Action Plan, the Environmental Center, and various soil, water, and waste programs. The county also actively monitors lake water quality, works to control aquatic invasive species, and promotes renewable energy development.

Commissioner Moran’s Contributions:

  • Led climate equity efforts by helping shape and promote Ramsey County’s Climate Equity Action Plan, ensuring vulnerable communities are at the center of environmental policy.

  • Expanded green initiatives by supporting programs that strengthen soil health, conserve water, and reduce waste through education and community partnerships.

  • Advocated for clean energy by advancing policies encouraging renewable energy development and lake water quality monitoring to protect future generations.

Rena Believes

  • I believe residents must be at the center of how county government provides the support that community members need. As a Commissioner, I support the implementation of Ramsey County’s “Residents First” strategic priority. This means ensuring that every aspect of county service delivery is focused on eliminating barriers to participation. ~RM

  • I believe we must better use technology so community members can access services from home whenever possible, while ensuring that in-person services are accessible, welcoming, and community-centered. Facilities must be relocated or designed to be transit-accessible, offer adequate parking, and be situated in neighborhoods with the highest concentration of need. Offices must be designed to make every resident feel welcomed and valued. ~RM

  • I believe all residents deserve to feel safe where they live and work — and that the county must continue to rely on health-based responses to reduce and prevent violence. ~RM

  • I believe families and youth represent one of the most important investments within Ramsey County priorities. I support improving access to economic assistance for families while centering efforts on prevention and healing. ~RM

    “We must heal the root, not just manage the harm.” ~ Commissioner Rena Moran