Janine Hudson
Name: Janine Hudson
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner - District 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-253-1642
Website: Votejanine.com
Twitter Handle: JanineHudson@votejanine
Facebook Page: Janine M Hudson
Candidate Bio
I have experience with both sides of social services. As a child, I was in and out of foster care. As a teen, I lived in group homes and at one point, struggled with homelessness. As a young single parent, I relied on social programs to assist me while attending college. These experiences inspired me to assist and advocate for those who are struggling. I have a BS in family-life education, parent education, and consumer homemaking from Mankato State University. For the past 25 years, I have worked in Social Services in various roles. I am also the guardian of a family member. I am the mother of five adult children. My youngest child just graduated in June from Eagan High School. When my children were young, I was scout leader and community coordinator for Girl Scouts, and an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts. I am a member of Mount Calvary Church in Eagan. I also have two young grandchildren.
Why are you running for this seat?
I’m the only candidate who has experience in Social Services. We need a member of the County Board who has experience in this department, which is the county’s largest expense.
What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
The greatest challenge facing my district is the fact that housing is becoming less and less affordable. I would address this by building more affordable housing.
The other biggest challenge in the district is the lack of affordable child care. I would address this by providing child care assistance to all residents who qualify and ensure the county doesn’t have a waiting list.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Dakota County as a whole and how would you address it?
The economic disparities are increasing among Dakota County residents. We need to have a collaboration between our schools and county social services to address the needs of families.
What would be your top three priorities if elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners?
My first priority is to ensure that every resident in Dakota County has shelter, food and health care services and that these services are provided by county workers.
Second, I will form a collaboration between the school districts and Dakota County to provide social workers in the schools.
Third, I will ensure our parks are “forever wild” so our residents can enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes, we should solicit and attract businesses that provide a living wage to residents.
What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
Dakota County needs to collaborate with cities to attract businesses and promote economic growth to ensure our communities have a variety of businesses and jobs.
What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
I believe the most essential county services are Social Services, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, courts, jails, roads/bridges, and county parks.
Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
Yes, we need to have a collaboration between the school districts and the county to reduce education disparities.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
We need to redirect mental health, domestic violence and homelessness crises to social workers instead of law enforcement.
How would you characterize the business climate in Dakota County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
The business climate was thriving in Dakota County prior to COVID-19. We need to help businesses follow the safe distancing guidelines so they can fully open safely.
What is the role of the Board of Commissioners in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
We need to align with the Small Business Administration to provide loans and grants to small minority-and-women-owned businesses.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Dakota County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
Yes, I believe the county uses these partnerships appropriately, and we can expand these partnerships by having more family-base service providers work with our schools and require social workers to respond to mental health, domestic violence and homelessness crises.
In your view, what is Dakota County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
The county’s top transportation priority is to expand metro transit so residents can get to area shopping and services without a car.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I think it is important that we follow the recommendations of the CDC and the leadership of Governor Tim Walz.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to serving every resident in Dakota County.
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner - District 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-253-1642
Website: Votejanine.com
Twitter Handle: JanineHudson@votejanine
Facebook Page: Janine M Hudson
Candidate Bio
I have experience with both sides of social services. As a child, I was in and out of foster care. As a teen, I lived in group homes and at one point, struggled with homelessness. As a young single parent, I relied on social programs to assist me while attending college. These experiences inspired me to assist and advocate for those who are struggling. I have a BS in family-life education, parent education, and consumer homemaking from Mankato State University. For the past 25 years, I have worked in Social Services in various roles. I am also the guardian of a family member. I am the mother of five adult children. My youngest child just graduated in June from Eagan High School. When my children were young, I was scout leader and community coordinator for Girl Scouts, and an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scouts. I am a member of Mount Calvary Church in Eagan. I also have two young grandchildren.
Why are you running for this seat?
I’m the only candidate who has experience in Social Services. We need a member of the County Board who has experience in this department, which is the county’s largest expense.
What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
The greatest challenge facing my district is the fact that housing is becoming less and less affordable. I would address this by building more affordable housing.
The other biggest challenge in the district is the lack of affordable child care. I would address this by providing child care assistance to all residents who qualify and ensure the county doesn’t have a waiting list.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Dakota County as a whole and how would you address it?
The economic disparities are increasing among Dakota County residents. We need to have a collaboration between our schools and county social services to address the needs of families.
What would be your top three priorities if elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners?
My first priority is to ensure that every resident in Dakota County has shelter, food and health care services and that these services are provided by county workers.
Second, I will form a collaboration between the school districts and Dakota County to provide social workers in the schools.
Third, I will ensure our parks are “forever wild” so our residents can enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes, we should solicit and attract businesses that provide a living wage to residents.
What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
Dakota County needs to collaborate with cities to attract businesses and promote economic growth to ensure our communities have a variety of businesses and jobs.
What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
I believe the most essential county services are Social Services, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, courts, jails, roads/bridges, and county parks.
Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
Yes, we need to have a collaboration between the school districts and the county to reduce education disparities.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
We need to redirect mental health, domestic violence and homelessness crises to social workers instead of law enforcement.
How would you characterize the business climate in Dakota County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
The business climate was thriving in Dakota County prior to COVID-19. We need to help businesses follow the safe distancing guidelines so they can fully open safely.
What is the role of the Board of Commissioners in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
We need to align with the Small Business Administration to provide loans and grants to small minority-and-women-owned businesses.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Dakota County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
Yes, I believe the county uses these partnerships appropriately, and we can expand these partnerships by having more family-base service providers work with our schools and require social workers to respond to mental health, domestic violence and homelessness crises.
In your view, what is Dakota County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
The county’s top transportation priority is to expand metro transit so residents can get to area shopping and services without a car.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I think it is important that we follow the recommendations of the CDC and the leadership of Governor Tim Walz.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to serving every resident in Dakota County.