María Isa Pérez-Hedges
Name: María Isa Pérez-Hedges
Public Office Sought: Minnesota House of Representatives District 65B
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: https://www.mariaisa.org
Twitter handle: @MariaIsa
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleforMariaIsa
Candidate Bio
I am a lifelong Minnesotan, raised on the West Side of Saint Paul. I am a small business owner, cultural arts worker, and youth mentor.
I currently direct the mentorship program for the Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project which empowers young people through music and a multicultural curriculum. I also serve on the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board Public Engagement Advisory Task Force, working to ensure the Capitol is a welcoming space for community members. I am a Type 1 diabetic and member of the MN Insulin4all chapter who has led efforts for legislation aimed at increasing access to insulin.
I am an alumna of the prestigious Wilder Foundation Community Equity Program. For my outstanding work with Youthrive Live!, educating incarcerated youth throughout the state of Minnesota, I received the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s “Rising Latina Star" award.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top priorities include access to quality education, equity in healthcare, and creative economic development, focusing on arts and cultural initiatives. These issues are intimately connected and vital for thriving communities.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Particularly in my district 65B, there has historically been a thriving landscape of small business at the core of our communities. They have played the role of cultural homes, created ladders for new workers, and have served as essential community meeting spaces. However, many small businesses have not survived to see the end of the pandemic, many have been displaced due to rising costs, and many others have barely hung on. I know through personal conversations and connections; those deeply impacted are my family, friends, and mentors.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
The state has the responsibility to create ladders for its residents and workers to embark on initiatives that are creative, cultural, and healthy for communities. It has the duty to protect those who have built its neighborhoods into what they are today. I have a strong interest in working with the state to seek appropriations for community-based initiatives.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
We need to ensure New American workers have clear pathways to healthy and well-compensated jobs. We must also invest in education and worker training programs as well as public infrastructure so that Minnesota can be a national leader in a transforming economy. Additionally, greater public investment in healthcare could free up the budget for many employers to offer more competitive wages.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Any proposal must be met with input from affected businesses, workers, and community residents. I am committed to always listening and making a decision that represents the interests of our district community.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
Our community needs to be able to trust officers; for that to happen, there needs to be accountability and a reframing of how officers show up with and for the community. Specific policy priorities can support this shift: officers must be local and fully-integrated into the neighborhoods they serve; trainings must refocus the use of force as a last resort, and departments need to reflect the faces and experiences of residents.
We must also acknowledge that systemic barriers and gaps in opportunity contribute to crime and safety issues. By increasing resources for supplementary public health services, staffing our departments with health professionals better prepared to respond to nonviolent situations, and creating economic ladders through small business and well-compensated labor opportunities, we can reduce the conditions that have been met with armed response.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Diversified transportation options will increase health and accessibility for neighborhood residents, decreasing unnecessary congestion and environmental impact. These options must include bike lanes, safe and high-quality public transit, walkable communities, and an accessible electrification grid for motor vehicles. We also need to be thinking about accessibility to high-speed internet for workers and business owners that may be operating primarily from home or coworking spaces.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
There is a high need in my district for access to truly affordable, quality housing across all ranges. We lack essential affordable housing development across the West Side, West 7th, Downtown, and Lowertown neighborhoods, and West Saint Paul, and new developments are often not reflective of and well integrated into existing neighborhoods. I also support fair standards for quality and pricing of rental units, investment in improving public housing, and creating pathways and new resource pools for first-time home-buyers.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
I believe a fuller investment in education, healthcare, housing, and creative economic development will pay dividends for the next generation of community. Together we can collaboratively build a creative, regenerative economy for all Minnesotans.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Most of the state’s tax revenue is generated from the metro area, and yet district 65B residents are still lacking essential ladders to start and retain businesses, gain home ownership or rent affordable quality units, and enter into a quality public education system. I’m running to see the budgets and advocate for neighborhood-level priorities.
In office, I will continue to personally support local entrepreneurship while pushing for policies that encourage such efforts. At the same time, I will support state investment in legacy small businesses.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
I have developed strong relationships with educational institutions in and outside of my district as a youth mentor and cultural arts educator; workforce education opportunities are critical for the young people for whom I work. I am strongly supportive of expanding access to worker training programming, literacy and language programs, apprenticeship programs, and other ladders for workers of all experience levels.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Our cities and state have created ladders for specific initiatives such as cultural restaurants, but have not adequately supported people of color, especially women of color, looking to start other businesses. And as our state grows increasingly diverse, we have a duty to make investments in minority- and women-owned businesses.
More broadly, underrepresented individuals in the entrepreneurship space often do not have equal access to generational experiences, and a more effective economy would support our people in navigating a complex legal system, including opportunities such as translational services, consultations, accounting, internships, and trainings.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The state has failed to protect businesses impacted by the pandemic, and as a result, many staple community businesses operating for decades have disappeared. In our recovery, we must provide investment in our neighborhoods to protect what we have, while developing avenues for new creators across our communities.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to building with you and continuing to support the small businesses that
make a vibrant and diverse 65B!
Public Office Sought: Minnesota House of Representatives District 65B
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: https://www.mariaisa.org
Twitter handle: @MariaIsa
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleforMariaIsa
Candidate Bio
I am a lifelong Minnesotan, raised on the West Side of Saint Paul. I am a small business owner, cultural arts worker, and youth mentor.
I currently direct the mentorship program for the Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project which empowers young people through music and a multicultural curriculum. I also serve on the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board Public Engagement Advisory Task Force, working to ensure the Capitol is a welcoming space for community members. I am a Type 1 diabetic and member of the MN Insulin4all chapter who has led efforts for legislation aimed at increasing access to insulin.
I am an alumna of the prestigious Wilder Foundation Community Equity Program. For my outstanding work with Youthrive Live!, educating incarcerated youth throughout the state of Minnesota, I received the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s “Rising Latina Star" award.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top priorities include access to quality education, equity in healthcare, and creative economic development, focusing on arts and cultural initiatives. These issues are intimately connected and vital for thriving communities.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Particularly in my district 65B, there has historically been a thriving landscape of small business at the core of our communities. They have played the role of cultural homes, created ladders for new workers, and have served as essential community meeting spaces. However, many small businesses have not survived to see the end of the pandemic, many have been displaced due to rising costs, and many others have barely hung on. I know through personal conversations and connections; those deeply impacted are my family, friends, and mentors.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
The state has the responsibility to create ladders for its residents and workers to embark on initiatives that are creative, cultural, and healthy for communities. It has the duty to protect those who have built its neighborhoods into what they are today. I have a strong interest in working with the state to seek appropriations for community-based initiatives.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
We need to ensure New American workers have clear pathways to healthy and well-compensated jobs. We must also invest in education and worker training programs as well as public infrastructure so that Minnesota can be a national leader in a transforming economy. Additionally, greater public investment in healthcare could free up the budget for many employers to offer more competitive wages.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Any proposal must be met with input from affected businesses, workers, and community residents. I am committed to always listening and making a decision that represents the interests of our district community.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
Our community needs to be able to trust officers; for that to happen, there needs to be accountability and a reframing of how officers show up with and for the community. Specific policy priorities can support this shift: officers must be local and fully-integrated into the neighborhoods they serve; trainings must refocus the use of force as a last resort, and departments need to reflect the faces and experiences of residents.
We must also acknowledge that systemic barriers and gaps in opportunity contribute to crime and safety issues. By increasing resources for supplementary public health services, staffing our departments with health professionals better prepared to respond to nonviolent situations, and creating economic ladders through small business and well-compensated labor opportunities, we can reduce the conditions that have been met with armed response.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Diversified transportation options will increase health and accessibility for neighborhood residents, decreasing unnecessary congestion and environmental impact. These options must include bike lanes, safe and high-quality public transit, walkable communities, and an accessible electrification grid for motor vehicles. We also need to be thinking about accessibility to high-speed internet for workers and business owners that may be operating primarily from home or coworking spaces.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
There is a high need in my district for access to truly affordable, quality housing across all ranges. We lack essential affordable housing development across the West Side, West 7th, Downtown, and Lowertown neighborhoods, and West Saint Paul, and new developments are often not reflective of and well integrated into existing neighborhoods. I also support fair standards for quality and pricing of rental units, investment in improving public housing, and creating pathways and new resource pools for first-time home-buyers.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
I believe a fuller investment in education, healthcare, housing, and creative economic development will pay dividends for the next generation of community. Together we can collaboratively build a creative, regenerative economy for all Minnesotans.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Most of the state’s tax revenue is generated from the metro area, and yet district 65B residents are still lacking essential ladders to start and retain businesses, gain home ownership or rent affordable quality units, and enter into a quality public education system. I’m running to see the budgets and advocate for neighborhood-level priorities.
In office, I will continue to personally support local entrepreneurship while pushing for policies that encourage such efforts. At the same time, I will support state investment in legacy small businesses.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
I have developed strong relationships with educational institutions in and outside of my district as a youth mentor and cultural arts educator; workforce education opportunities are critical for the young people for whom I work. I am strongly supportive of expanding access to worker training programming, literacy and language programs, apprenticeship programs, and other ladders for workers of all experience levels.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Our cities and state have created ladders for specific initiatives such as cultural restaurants, but have not adequately supported people of color, especially women of color, looking to start other businesses. And as our state grows increasingly diverse, we have a duty to make investments in minority- and women-owned businesses.
More broadly, underrepresented individuals in the entrepreneurship space often do not have equal access to generational experiences, and a more effective economy would support our people in navigating a complex legal system, including opportunities such as translational services, consultations, accounting, internships, and trainings.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The state has failed to protect businesses impacted by the pandemic, and as a result, many staple community businesses operating for decades have disappeared. In our recovery, we must provide investment in our neighborhoods to protect what we have, while developing avenues for new creators across our communities.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to building with you and continuing to support the small businesses that
make a vibrant and diverse 65B!