Lori Hansen
Name: Lori Hansen
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-249-4701
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: @LoriHansenSSPCityCouncil
Candidate Bio
My service to the community has been long and varied for example: City Council since 2001, Dakota County Planning Commissioner, Dakota 911 Board member, past Park & Rec Commission chairperson, River Heights Local Issues member, SSP Economic Development Commissioner, School Board & City Council Core Values Task Force member and Read Across SSP Volunteer. I am dedicated, experienced and would continue to provide educated decisions for our community.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I make decisions based on all the facts and concerns presented. Collaboration and solving problems in a positive way is my leadership style.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top 3 priorities are: continue to increase our tax base, look for funding opportunities to update our infrastructure including pools, parks and historical structures and keep SSP a safe and vibrant community. A positive economic outlook will help us obtain those funding opportunities.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in South St. Paul?
The biggest challenge is keeping taxes low while providing the needs and wants of the community. The biggest opportunity is we have a community willing to do the work to get things accomplished. They offer great ideas and options to keep SSP a great place to live and work.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
We need to keep open lines of communication between the businesses, elected officials and city staff. It is important that we provide opportunities for our state and federal officials to keep in touch with the real needs of our communities. Establishing partnerships between all parties is the best way to obtain a positive result.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in South St. Paul?
We have a very positive pro-business attitude in SSP. We use all the tools available to provide assistance and guidance for all who look to establish a business or build in SSP. Our goal is to see what we can do to assist those in bringing in new jobs and retain our current jobs. We have met with business and school officials to provide educational opportunities to meet the needs of our business community. Our staff go above and beyond to work with those who have interest to expand in SSP.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
We meet with our police department to provide strategies for keeping our city safe and provide tools needed to accomplish those initiatives. Mental health issues have been a challenge. We have developed a mental health unit and imbedded social workers to help those in crisis. It has become a great asset. Our police and fire departments are very dedicated and well trained.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Our housing stock is mostly in the affordable range. We do not have a lot of open space to build new housing, so our goal is to maintain and update the current structures. We offer programs to assist our residents to update their homes. We also look for opportunities to add new housing. We do have a housing plan to address the need for various other housing options such as town homes and one level homes. Recently we added 2 great apartment complexes.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Recently completed working on a safe roads to school plan. Part of that plan is designing our streets to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The plan will be implemented in the near future. Transportation issues are reviewed on a regular basis.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
We utilized relief funds for onetime items so we would not have to increase taxes for a new initiative. Our future budget does not rely on temporary funding.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a locally elected official it is our job to maintain core services for the city. We can work with the state and county to provide legislation or funding on issues such as mental health or public safety. I do not believe the city should get involved in areas regarding wages, child care subsidies or similar initiatives.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-249-4701
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: @LoriHansenSSPCityCouncil
Candidate Bio
My service to the community has been long and varied for example: City Council since 2001, Dakota County Planning Commissioner, Dakota 911 Board member, past Park & Rec Commission chairperson, River Heights Local Issues member, SSP Economic Development Commissioner, School Board & City Council Core Values Task Force member and Read Across SSP Volunteer. I am dedicated, experienced and would continue to provide educated decisions for our community.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I make decisions based on all the facts and concerns presented. Collaboration and solving problems in a positive way is my leadership style.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top 3 priorities are: continue to increase our tax base, look for funding opportunities to update our infrastructure including pools, parks and historical structures and keep SSP a safe and vibrant community. A positive economic outlook will help us obtain those funding opportunities.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in South St. Paul?
The biggest challenge is keeping taxes low while providing the needs and wants of the community. The biggest opportunity is we have a community willing to do the work to get things accomplished. They offer great ideas and options to keep SSP a great place to live and work.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
We need to keep open lines of communication between the businesses, elected officials and city staff. It is important that we provide opportunities for our state and federal officials to keep in touch with the real needs of our communities. Establishing partnerships between all parties is the best way to obtain a positive result.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in South St. Paul?
We have a very positive pro-business attitude in SSP. We use all the tools available to provide assistance and guidance for all who look to establish a business or build in SSP. Our goal is to see what we can do to assist those in bringing in new jobs and retain our current jobs. We have met with business and school officials to provide educational opportunities to meet the needs of our business community. Our staff go above and beyond to work with those who have interest to expand in SSP.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
We meet with our police department to provide strategies for keeping our city safe and provide tools needed to accomplish those initiatives. Mental health issues have been a challenge. We have developed a mental health unit and imbedded social workers to help those in crisis. It has become a great asset. Our police and fire departments are very dedicated and well trained.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Our housing stock is mostly in the affordable range. We do not have a lot of open space to build new housing, so our goal is to maintain and update the current structures. We offer programs to assist our residents to update their homes. We also look for opportunities to add new housing. We do have a housing plan to address the need for various other housing options such as town homes and one level homes. Recently we added 2 great apartment complexes.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Recently completed working on a safe roads to school plan. Part of that plan is designing our streets to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The plan will be implemented in the near future. Transportation issues are reviewed on a regular basis.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
We utilized relief funds for onetime items so we would not have to increase taxes for a new initiative. Our future budget does not rely on temporary funding.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a locally elected official it is our job to maintain core services for the city. We can work with the state and county to provide legislation or funding on issues such as mental health or public safety. I do not believe the city should get involved in areas regarding wages, child care subsidies or similar initiatives.