Sarah Yang
Name: Sarah Yang
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-442-2636
Campaign Website: votesarahyang.com
Twitter handle: @votesarahyang
Facebook Page: Sarah Yang for Ramsey County Commissioner District 7
Candidate Bio
I am the proud daughter of Hmong refugees, a community and family caregiver, and an advocate for education access. I am a first-generation college graduate, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Youth Development Leadership. I am passionate about championing the rights of people in my district, and providing vision and financial oversight for Ramsey County.
I work for the University of Minnesota’s TRIO Upward Bound Program, a federally-funded college access program which serves low-income and at-risk youth. In my job, I manage the TRIO Upward Bound tutoring program, student success tracking, and bi-annual enrichment events. My professional roles at TRIO have been heavily influenced by my own involvement in the program during high school.
My previous public service includes time in AmeriCorps with the National Civilian Community Corps and Public Allies. I am a former organizer in the MNDFL’s Coordinated Field Team where I worked to Get Out The Vote. I also served as an organizer for Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong’s campaign and as the Campaign Manager for Saint Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang. My professional, political, and lived experiences as a North Saint Paul resident will make me an effective Ramsey County Commissioner.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I refer to my leadership style as "by the people, for the people.” I emphasize transparency, accessibility, and active community engagement in my decision-making. Once elected, I plan to hold regular office hours where District 7 residents can discuss their concerns, ask questions, or provide input on the county’s priorities and direction. Leadership should always be collaborative, especially for elected officials. Community members have both the right and responsibility to actively contribute to the work of all County Commissioners.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
Housing Stability and Affordable Housing Access: My number one priority is housing stability, as it determines community and individual well-being. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including expanding affordable housing options, supporting homelessness prevention initiatives, providing county-based social worker support for unhoused populations, and creating viable pathways to homeownership. With recent state budget surpluses, including the extra $70 million in state revenue for 2024 not predicted in previous models, Minnesota’s legislature and local representatives have no excuse not to invest in families through
the most effective means we have available: safe and healthy housing.
Transportation Infrastructure: Expanding our infrastructure and effectively integrating multiple modes of transportation is key to stimulating economic growth and promoting social equity by connecting people to opportunities, and is my second priority as county commissioner. New commuter routes will help our region become a more attractive place to live in by reducing traffic congestion, reducing our carbon footprints, increasing accessibility, and growing our businesses. Increased dedicated bike paths, bus stops, and pedestrian-friendly streets are the key to creating connectivity between our neighborhoods. The massive METRO Purple Line project, run by The Met Council and scheduled to open in 2026, is supported by county dollars. This project is an excellent example of Ramsey County’s budget being used for the good of everyone, as this line will connect from downtown St. Paul to down town White Bear Lake.
Climate Justice: 2024’s warm winter and intensely rainy summer has made Minnesotans ever more aware of the impacts that corporate and governmental actions have had on our world’s climate. Ramsey County has fallen behind Hennepin County in carbon-reduction and waste mitigation programming and incentives. As County Commissioner, my third priority is climate impact reduction and material reuse programming, both at the residential and commercial levels. I plan to join the Minnesota Chapter of the Carbon Leadership Forum to provide up-to-date science to my constituents and fellow council members. Beyond the global impact of climate change, I will look locally at the issues of environmental justice that go hand-in-hand with neighborhood air, water, and noise pollution. Under my leadership, Ramsey County programs will look to state and federal funding opportunities from the Pollution Control Agency, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and the EPA. I will work to reduce harmful demolition and industrial waste, and prioritize the protection of disenfranchised and BIPOC communities from unfair environmental impacts.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Ramsey County?
Housing affordability and stability for families is the biggest issue the east metro faces. We cannot afford to continue with our status-quo approach to the housing crisis in our community, and must establish a more progressive spending structure for mortgage, energy, and emergency assistance, along with increased access to county social workers for at-risk and unhoused people.
In addition to housing stability measures, Ramsey County can double down on home buyer and homeowner programs to help build generational wealth within disenfranchised communities. I am a current renter, and former resident of Section 8 Housing. I understand intimately the role that homeownership plays in the financial and housing stability of families. By tackling the challenge of vacant homes and lots in District 7, we can bring this stability to all residents. This will also support our property tax income, which will benefit schools, roads, and emergency services. Access to safe and healthy homes is my number one priority.
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?
An ideal environment for collaboration between Ramsey County and resident businesses is one where bipartisan support of tax incentives for small and Minnesota-owned businesses grow economic vitality for government and private ownership both. When both sides of the coin thrive, we see increased interaction and support of local non-governmental organization (NGO) initiatives, wages earned in the county spent locally, living-wage job development, and increased business retention. While county government must create regulations for businesses to follow in order to protect and provide for our communities, we must also protect business interests, especially from predatory multinational corporations that only extract resources from the county. With bills such as the “Right to Repair Act” passed in the 2023-24 session, we see an excellent example of Minnesota legislature creating protections for small community businesses in our state.
How would you characterized the business climate in Ramsey County and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Ramsey County?
While Ramsey County has had steady growth of small businesses and maintained positive relationships with bigger entities such as 3M, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Land O’Lakes, Ecolab, and Securian Financial, we need to see more investment in underrepresented small business owners. Supporting small businesses and investing in community development programs is not just about economics; it's about building resilient and close-knit communities. Small businesses are integral to the fabric of our neighborhoods, contributing to our community's unique character and identity. I believe in harnessing the power of local initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing policies that empower our entrepreneurs to build and sustain their future.
Business cannot thrive without dedicated and valued workers. I plan to prioritize racial equity in workforce development by reducing the wage gap, promoting upward mobility, and dismantling systemic barriers to employment. I plan to engage with and expand the work of the Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan (2021) for Ramsey County. While the county currently has some supportive programming for small businesses looking for information or loans, I want to expand the county’s support of worker-to-business relationships. We currently have a low percentage of people who both live AND work in Ramsey County, which can be increased through formal workforce development programs that prioritize local business placement.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The county can increase community lighting on county-owned roads to help deter crime and promote community safety practices through education and mobilization. Many of the public safety challenges that we face today are due to a lack of supportive resources for disenfranchised communities. I will put county funds to recruitment and retention of county social workers, as well as infrastructure for unhoused individuals, safe injection sites, and youth and battered women shelters.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
The greatest source of naturally occurring affordable housing is current built environment infrastructure. We need to incentivize developers through tax credits to rehab both vacant residential and commercial properties into safe and healthy housing. More housing increases supply helps to reduce costs for community members and property taxpayers and provides economically viable development options. Especially following the COVID pandemic, we have an unprecedented number of vacant buildings that can serve as environmentally and economically valuable multifamily housing.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
The best way to improve safety and reduce traffic in any metro or suburban environment is to reduce the need for single person/family vehicles. With county fiscal support of the METRO Purple line, we will see an unprecedented connection between the central metro and District 7 residents. In addition to this vast infrastructural development, the county can work to add protected bike lanes and bike traffic lights to county-owned roads. This will increase cyclist
safety and traffic law accountability, and help driver to notice bikers.
Counties 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?
While federal COVID relief is coming to a close, the Biden-Harris administration has made significant increases to funding access through the Inflation Reduction Act. Ramsey County needs to exercise the partnerships we have built and maintained during COVID with local non-profits and businesses to access these federal dollars to continue to invest in our housing, transportation, climate, and business infrastructure. Minnesota state legislature has also had bipartisan support of tax incentives for businesses and developers, which can be utilized to reduce overhead costs for current Ramsey county businesses, as well as recruit new ones. If there are budget deficits due to loss of COVID funds, the county can temporarily reduce the Capital Improvement Program budget, and work to regain funds through business and residential recruitment.
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?
I believe that issues like Uber/Lyft wages or childcare subsidies should be handled at the state level, as they require consistent regulations and funding mechanisms that apply uniformly across all local jurisdictions. When local governments attempt to tackle such issues independently, it can lead to a patchwork of policies that create confusion and inefficiencies for both businesses and residents. In these cases, state leadership can ensure that policies are equitable, sustainable, and aligned with broader economic and social goals. Ramsey county can support transportation infrastructure through transit lines and road development, but should not be responsible for setting Uber/Lyft wages. Childcare subsidies impact all families in Minnesota, therefore should be supported and funded by the state. One area of policy concern that counties should take the lead on is waste reduction and management. Since most waste management facilities are county-owned, the county should have significant say in reduction, recycling, and mitigation methods for county residents and businesses.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-442-2636
Campaign Website: votesarahyang.com
Twitter handle: @votesarahyang
Facebook Page: Sarah Yang for Ramsey County Commissioner District 7
Candidate Bio
I am the proud daughter of Hmong refugees, a community and family caregiver, and an advocate for education access. I am a first-generation college graduate, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Youth Development Leadership. I am passionate about championing the rights of people in my district, and providing vision and financial oversight for Ramsey County.
I work for the University of Minnesota’s TRIO Upward Bound Program, a federally-funded college access program which serves low-income and at-risk youth. In my job, I manage the TRIO Upward Bound tutoring program, student success tracking, and bi-annual enrichment events. My professional roles at TRIO have been heavily influenced by my own involvement in the program during high school.
My previous public service includes time in AmeriCorps with the National Civilian Community Corps and Public Allies. I am a former organizer in the MNDFL’s Coordinated Field Team where I worked to Get Out The Vote. I also served as an organizer for Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong’s campaign and as the Campaign Manager for Saint Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang. My professional, political, and lived experiences as a North Saint Paul resident will make me an effective Ramsey County Commissioner.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I refer to my leadership style as "by the people, for the people.” I emphasize transparency, accessibility, and active community engagement in my decision-making. Once elected, I plan to hold regular office hours where District 7 residents can discuss their concerns, ask questions, or provide input on the county’s priorities and direction. Leadership should always be collaborative, especially for elected officials. Community members have both the right and responsibility to actively contribute to the work of all County Commissioners.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
Housing Stability and Affordable Housing Access: My number one priority is housing stability, as it determines community and individual well-being. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including expanding affordable housing options, supporting homelessness prevention initiatives, providing county-based social worker support for unhoused populations, and creating viable pathways to homeownership. With recent state budget surpluses, including the extra $70 million in state revenue for 2024 not predicted in previous models, Minnesota’s legislature and local representatives have no excuse not to invest in families through
the most effective means we have available: safe and healthy housing.
Transportation Infrastructure: Expanding our infrastructure and effectively integrating multiple modes of transportation is key to stimulating economic growth and promoting social equity by connecting people to opportunities, and is my second priority as county commissioner. New commuter routes will help our region become a more attractive place to live in by reducing traffic congestion, reducing our carbon footprints, increasing accessibility, and growing our businesses. Increased dedicated bike paths, bus stops, and pedestrian-friendly streets are the key to creating connectivity between our neighborhoods. The massive METRO Purple Line project, run by The Met Council and scheduled to open in 2026, is supported by county dollars. This project is an excellent example of Ramsey County’s budget being used for the good of everyone, as this line will connect from downtown St. Paul to down town White Bear Lake.
Climate Justice: 2024’s warm winter and intensely rainy summer has made Minnesotans ever more aware of the impacts that corporate and governmental actions have had on our world’s climate. Ramsey County has fallen behind Hennepin County in carbon-reduction and waste mitigation programming and incentives. As County Commissioner, my third priority is climate impact reduction and material reuse programming, both at the residential and commercial levels. I plan to join the Minnesota Chapter of the Carbon Leadership Forum to provide up-to-date science to my constituents and fellow council members. Beyond the global impact of climate change, I will look locally at the issues of environmental justice that go hand-in-hand with neighborhood air, water, and noise pollution. Under my leadership, Ramsey County programs will look to state and federal funding opportunities from the Pollution Control Agency, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and the EPA. I will work to reduce harmful demolition and industrial waste, and prioritize the protection of disenfranchised and BIPOC communities from unfair environmental impacts.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Ramsey County?
Housing affordability and stability for families is the biggest issue the east metro faces. We cannot afford to continue with our status-quo approach to the housing crisis in our community, and must establish a more progressive spending structure for mortgage, energy, and emergency assistance, along with increased access to county social workers for at-risk and unhoused people.
In addition to housing stability measures, Ramsey County can double down on home buyer and homeowner programs to help build generational wealth within disenfranchised communities. I am a current renter, and former resident of Section 8 Housing. I understand intimately the role that homeownership plays in the financial and housing stability of families. By tackling the challenge of vacant homes and lots in District 7, we can bring this stability to all residents. This will also support our property tax income, which will benefit schools, roads, and emergency services. Access to safe and healthy homes is my number one priority.
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?
An ideal environment for collaboration between Ramsey County and resident businesses is one where bipartisan support of tax incentives for small and Minnesota-owned businesses grow economic vitality for government and private ownership both. When both sides of the coin thrive, we see increased interaction and support of local non-governmental organization (NGO) initiatives, wages earned in the county spent locally, living-wage job development, and increased business retention. While county government must create regulations for businesses to follow in order to protect and provide for our communities, we must also protect business interests, especially from predatory multinational corporations that only extract resources from the county. With bills such as the “Right to Repair Act” passed in the 2023-24 session, we see an excellent example of Minnesota legislature creating protections for small community businesses in our state.
How would you characterized the business climate in Ramsey County and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Ramsey County?
While Ramsey County has had steady growth of small businesses and maintained positive relationships with bigger entities such as 3M, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Land O’Lakes, Ecolab, and Securian Financial, we need to see more investment in underrepresented small business owners. Supporting small businesses and investing in community development programs is not just about economics; it's about building resilient and close-knit communities. Small businesses are integral to the fabric of our neighborhoods, contributing to our community's unique character and identity. I believe in harnessing the power of local initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing policies that empower our entrepreneurs to build and sustain their future.
Business cannot thrive without dedicated and valued workers. I plan to prioritize racial equity in workforce development by reducing the wage gap, promoting upward mobility, and dismantling systemic barriers to employment. I plan to engage with and expand the work of the Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan (2021) for Ramsey County. While the county currently has some supportive programming for small businesses looking for information or loans, I want to expand the county’s support of worker-to-business relationships. We currently have a low percentage of people who both live AND work in Ramsey County, which can be increased through formal workforce development programs that prioritize local business placement.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The county can increase community lighting on county-owned roads to help deter crime and promote community safety practices through education and mobilization. Many of the public safety challenges that we face today are due to a lack of supportive resources for disenfranchised communities. I will put county funds to recruitment and retention of county social workers, as well as infrastructure for unhoused individuals, safe injection sites, and youth and battered women shelters.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
The greatest source of naturally occurring affordable housing is current built environment infrastructure. We need to incentivize developers through tax credits to rehab both vacant residential and commercial properties into safe and healthy housing. More housing increases supply helps to reduce costs for community members and property taxpayers and provides economically viable development options. Especially following the COVID pandemic, we have an unprecedented number of vacant buildings that can serve as environmentally and economically valuable multifamily housing.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
The best way to improve safety and reduce traffic in any metro or suburban environment is to reduce the need for single person/family vehicles. With county fiscal support of the METRO Purple line, we will see an unprecedented connection between the central metro and District 7 residents. In addition to this vast infrastructural development, the county can work to add protected bike lanes and bike traffic lights to county-owned roads. This will increase cyclist
safety and traffic law accountability, and help driver to notice bikers.
Counties 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?
While federal COVID relief is coming to a close, the Biden-Harris administration has made significant increases to funding access through the Inflation Reduction Act. Ramsey County needs to exercise the partnerships we have built and maintained during COVID with local non-profits and businesses to access these federal dollars to continue to invest in our housing, transportation, climate, and business infrastructure. Minnesota state legislature has also had bipartisan support of tax incentives for businesses and developers, which can be utilized to reduce overhead costs for current Ramsey county businesses, as well as recruit new ones. If there are budget deficits due to loss of COVID funds, the county can temporarily reduce the Capital Improvement Program budget, and work to regain funds through business and residential recruitment.
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?
I believe that issues like Uber/Lyft wages or childcare subsidies should be handled at the state level, as they require consistent regulations and funding mechanisms that apply uniformly across all local jurisdictions. When local governments attempt to tackle such issues independently, it can lead to a patchwork of policies that create confusion and inefficiencies for both businesses and residents. In these cases, state leadership can ensure that policies are equitable, sustainable, and aligned with broader economic and social goals. Ramsey county can support transportation infrastructure through transit lines and road development, but should not be responsible for setting Uber/Lyft wages. Childcare subsidies impact all families in Minnesota, therefore should be supported and funded by the state. One area of policy concern that counties should take the lead on is waste reduction and management. Since most waste management facilities are county-owned, the county should have significant say in reduction, recycling, and mitigation methods for county residents and businesses.