Issues

As someone who has worked as a mental health therapist, Heather knows firsthand how important it is that we view people as whole people. Mental health and physical health do not live in a vacuum.

Heather also knows what it is like to be dependent on a medical team for life saving treatment. Her twin sons were born 16 weeks premature, on the cusp of viability. They spent four months in the NICU at Children’s Hospital. Heather has navigated complex medical services their entire lives, which gives her a direct understanding about the importance of accessible disability rights to meet the needs of a community. As a legislator, Heather has been a strong ally on improving disability services for Minnesotans.

Heather served on her district's Special Education Advisory Council and on the Human Rights Commission for the City of Edina.

Heather has served as a member of the Health and Human Service Committees since being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2019. At the Capitol, she has a track record of getting things done in the area of Health and Human Services. She proudly:

-Chief authored and passed GAP legislation, involving years of collaboration to establish and build out a program that would ensure that if an individual is not competent to stand trial and does not meet the civil commitment standard, the individual would be referred to the Competency Attainment Program and assigned a navigator to help ensure they get housing, medical care, food, and supports to assist them in their treatment and to also protect public safety.

-Chief authored and passed Tobacco 21, making 21 the legal age to purchase tobacco in Minnesota in 2020 in order to reduce the onset of smoking for young people

-Chief authored and passed several disability rights pieces of legislation, including TEFRA fee elimination that taxed families high amounts for supplemental insurance they need to care for their children with complex medical conditions

-Chief authored and passed legislation that moved low-level, non-violent drug crimes with no recidivism to a 5 year disqualification period, which allows people a second chance and the ability to work in care facilities that need support.

-Supports women's reproductive rights and access to their health care

-Worked to support local public health officials, first responders, and law enforcement to enact comprehensive opioid overdose reduction legislation

Heather is also a proud breast cancer survivor and knows access to medical care access is an essential role the County supports for community members.

Heather serves on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee at the Capitol and knows protecting our water with high quality standards is critical in the years ahead.

Heather has been a strong supporter of water protections including work to address invasive species, investments in water inflow, infiltration and testing, a ban on PFAS, and limiting neonics.

In Hennepin County, Emerald Ash Borer tragically impacts about 1-in-5 community trees. The county and state have made large investments to address the issue, but this will take years to solve. Heather understands that investments in planting more climate-resistant trees and in pollinators are critical to ensure that Hennepin County will be a great place for generations to come.

Heather was a co-author of the Carbon Free by 2040 legislation at the Capitol this past session - and applauds the work of colleagues that partnered with businesses to ensure Minnesota reduces our greenhouse gas emissions. Some of this transformative work will happen within Hennepin County. It’s critical to elect someone in District 6 that understands the complexities and importance of this work and how it will benefit our communities.

Investing in clean public transportation options such as electric buses is a top priority as emissions for transportation account for about 29 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Heather will continue to be a strong advocate to protect our water and air quality and to invest in clean transportation and sustainable infrastructure. She will keep our climate front and center.

Heather knows that Public safety is at the top of residents minds, every community member should feel safe where they live. Heather will work to ensure we invest in efforts that will reduce crime and have been proven effective - like the embedded social workers that are at police departments all throughout District 6.

Ramsey County recently brought to the legislature a proposal to build a therapeutic center for repeat juvenile offenders, which is something Heather is interested in also having Hennepin County explore. Kids need to be held accountable when they commit crimes such as auto thefts and they also need effective interventions that will stop recidivism. We need to look to best practices in other states and counties to ensure we are investing in the right pathways for Hennepin County.

At the Capitol, Heather served on the Public Safety Committee for four years. During this time, she worked with stakeholders including the Department of Corrections, the Sheriff’s Association, the State Patrol, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and advocates for criminal justice reform. She believes in the importance of initiatives by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department and the County Attorney’s Office that are intended to reduce crime.

We also know that recruitment and retention for law enforcement has been a real challenge. Investing in officer wellness is critical. Heather has been supportive of this work in her role on the Public Safety Committee and also through the Edina Crime Prevention Fund Board she has served on since 2019.

Heather is committed to innovative ideas and working with all stakeholders to invest and support safe communities. She understands this is a top priority for residents today.

Heather understands the importance housing plays in a person's overall well being. It impacts all aspects of a person's life from the ability to feel safe, to attend medical appointments, and get to school - which is why holistic approaches to services are critical in how we approach housing.

Heather believes it is critical to support and improve existing affordable housing and invest in affordable housing that ensures all Hennepin County residents have a place to call home.

She has been supportive of initiatives the County has worked on in the past including work to maximize the impact of housing funds to target unique housing needs as well as creating supportive housing options.

Last session, Heather also supported the 0.25% Metro Regional Sales Tax increase to fund affordable housing and homelessness prevention. Half of the revenue generated from this increase goes directly to the county level. These additional resources will have a transformative impact in Hennepin County, and will help more of our neighbors find safe, affordable housing. Having this dedicated funding will help communities invest in housing while also not raising property taxes.

Hennepin County is home to 1.2 million people and is growing. Maintaining investments in our infrastructure is a critical part of the work of the county.

Road safety, maintenance, and traffic management are important priorities to support safe travel through our communities. From the France Avenue improvement projects in Edina, to the Mill Street Pathway project in Excelsior, to the Wayzata Boulevard and Sunset Drive Reconstruction in Orono and Spring Park, Heather will be dedicated to ensuring these projects and others move forward for District 6. Heather also understands the importance of public transportation and bike and pedestrian infrastructure, which are critical for families and also for our environment.

The transportation budget bill that passed during the 2023 legislative session included a dedicated 0.75% seven-county metro sales tax for transit and county road projects which will help counties to invest and maintain infrastructure and local projects. Having this dedicated funding will help communities invest in road safety, maintenance and projects while also not raising property taxes.