Rebecca Noecker
Name: Rebecca Noecker
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-314-9311
Campaign Website: www.rebeccanoecker.org
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaNoeckerForRamseyCounty
Candidate Bio
I grew up in St. Louis Park and lived and worked in Boston, Baton Rouge, India and Uganda before making my home on the West Side in 2011. I became active with the West Side Community Organization, eventually serving as board chair, and then served on the Planning Commission, which was my first real exposure to local government. I loved it. I saw how practical, well-designed local action could improve lives in immediate, meaningful ways.
I was elected to the St. Paul City Council in 2015 and I’m currently serving as Council President. I love digging into policy, listening deeply, seeing all sides of a problem, and getting things done.
I’m proud of the work I have accomplished on the Council over the last 10 years. I’ve worked on ordinances to ensure safe gun storage, preserve trees, fund small businesses along our commercial corridors, and protect our community from Operation Metro Surge. I also created the Open for Business initiative to make it easier to do business in St. Paul.
But the city can only do so much without an effective, responsive partner at the county. I look forward to being that partner for St. Paul.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Collaborative - I value my partnerships with community members and groups and believe that talking to the people who actually do the work lets me best understand what their needs are.
Critical thinker - I am not afraid to ask why or why not. I value input from those with different perspectives and truly want everyone to feel part of the process. I listen to everyone and I explain how I reached my decision, whether or not we agree.
Detail-oriented - Local government requires implementation expertise to be effective. The state appropriates funds and helps push agenda items, but the city and county have to sweat the small stuff and get things done for our residents. I have been executing for St. Paul, working for every one of our residents, for over a decade.
All about results - I do the hard work and see things through. I believe success in government isn’t measured by the number of meetings we hold or the statements we make. It’s measured in action, in tangible results that affect people’s daily lives.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Ramsey County should be the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.
First, I will address our community's most serious problems with bold, decisive action. We need to stop talking about key issues like W. 7th Street, the Downtown Riverfront, homelessness and childcare affordability and start truly doing something about them.
Second, I will strengthen the partnership between St. Paul and Ramsey County. With property taxes rising and the federal government disinvesting from our community, St. Paul and Ramsey County need to be working more efficiently. That means working together—sharing services, avoiding duplication, and communicating openly.
Third, I want to make the county’s work more visible, so people can understand its impact on their lives and hold county officials responsible for results.
State and federal disinvestment is a serious concern and Ramsey County needs to strongly advocate to our government partners about the need to fully fund counties, especially when it comes to critical public benefits like medical assistance. But the priorities above are within the county’s control, regardless of what happens at other levels of government.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge facing Ramsey County is economic: rising property taxes and the threat of decreased federal funding.
The greatest opportunity is to meet those challenges head-on through improving workforce development programs, increasing the tax base, advocating to the state and federal governments for the funding we need, and coordinating more effectively with the city to reduce duplication and inefficiency.
How would you characterize the business climate in Ramsey County, and what role should the county government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate is moderate. There is so much potential, especially in our small businesses, but we’re not making the most of the business community’s potential to create jobs and expand our economy.
Ramsey County has a significant role to play through the Workforce Innovation Board:
First, we need to accurately measure program goals so we know which programs are working and which programs to fund.
We also need to tie job training programs to position and wage commitments from employers before training begins. And if the job training is being done by a provider, funding must be tied to positive outcomes.
Finally, we need to focus on practical, easy-to-measure workforce assistance such as employer-connected training, job fairs, and driver’s license programs that provide concrete, measurable fixes to job readiness gaps.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
There are a number of pressing public safety issues facing District 5:
ICE - I would pass a separation ordinance for Ramsey County. The St. Paul City Council worked quickly to strengthen our ordinance during Operation Metro Surge, but we must protect county residents and ensure that county employees have clear direction as well.
Opioid Epidemic - The county and the city should pool their settlement dollars to develop a joint strategy. I helped develop a pilot suboxone program citywide, and I’d look to expand such a program at the county level.
Mental Health Services - Ramsey County needs a facility like 1800 Chicago in Hennepin County where people can go for chemical or mental health treatment. Right now, we send people to jail or the Emergency Room, which cannot provide the appropriate level of care that people in crisis deserve.
What role should the county play in addressing housing shortages and affordability, and what would you prioritize?
Housing is a human right. Everyone in our community deserves a safe, affordable, dignified place to live. There are three housing areas that I’d prioritize at the county to make this happen:
First, the county should build more single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings and other types of shelter that accommodate people’s partners, property and pets inside. This will encourage more folks to accept housing and other supports.
The county should also collaborate with the city on a joint housing strategy to prioritize our affordable housing dollars and make them go further.
Finally, the county should be providing homeless outreach, not the city. This should include dramatically expanding street outreach to those who are vulnerable.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Safe and efficient roads and transit systems are critical for our county to thrive. We need to design roads to make alternatives to driving safer and more enjoyable. We can do this through separated biking and walking paths, narrower roads, lower speeds, and year-round maintenance plans.
Ramsey County recently released their All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan which will guide transportation projects across the region. This plan prioritized transportation-system users from most vulnerable to least vulnerable: pedestrians to bicyclists to transit users to drivers to freight operators. The county did this to make sure vulnerable users were always considered first. We need to do more of this kind of planning. We aren’t going to change to a less car-reliant county overnight, but transportation plans that de-center cars can make a real impact that benefits all non-drivers.
We also have some incredibly important, yet frustratingly slow, transportation projects lingering in District 5, such as the West 7th corridor. The county must go back to the table with the city and MnDOT to help fund this generational investment in transit and pedestrian safety.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the county levy?
I have heard loud and clear from my constituents that increased property taxes are hurting them and their families. As we look to paying for county services, increasing the county levy must be the option of last resort. Our first priority should be to expand the tax base to avoid cutting vital services. The county has various levers to do this:
First, the county should sell its 630 acres of county-owned property. These land parcels could transform into revenue-generating, workforce-boosting projects.
The county should enhance its partnerships with the city and local nonprofits to avoid duplication of services and seek efficiencies whenever possible. For example, we could consolidate our separate Emergency Rent Assistance programs into one, and we could create a single application form for financial subsidies for housing and economic development projects so developers only have to apply once.
Finally, the county should consider a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program where tax-exempt organizations make a voluntary payment to support the county. In St. Paul, one of our superpowers is our social capital, our sense of being connected to and responsible for one another. A PILOT program aligns with those values, by affirming that we all have a share in the success of our community.
What are the two or three issues where you believe county government is best positioned to lead — and why the county rather than the state or a municipality?
Counties are the Goldilocks of government. They aren’t too small to solve big regional issues like cities, and they aren’t too partisan and divided like states. Their size is just right to be able to solve big issues that really matter.
I believe that transit and homelessness are best led by the county because they cross municipal borders but still require local specificity and control.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Taxpayer transparency means that everyone knows how the county’s budget is allocated, how their tax level is determined and how their taxes are spent.
We can achieve this through regular, effective community engagement, especially during budget season. As President of the St. Paul City Council, I show up at community events, I hold regular community meetings to keep my constituents informed and empowered and I communicate frequently through my newsletter and social media. I look forward to continuing that high level of community engagement as your next District 5 Commissioner.
We also need to make sure residents know about the many tax refund programs available to them. Ramsey County has left tens of millions of dollars in state refunds on the table due to poor communication. As a Councilmember, I pushed the county to make this information more visible and to move toward an “opt-out” system rather than an “opt-in” so more people are automatically given the refund.
I also advocated for the Council to hold community meetings on the budget earlier in the process, before decisions are made. The state’s mandated Truth in Taxation meeting happens far too late to influence budget decisions. I would continue this practice of early meetings that allow for meaningful input as a County Commissioner.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-314-9311
Campaign Website: www.rebeccanoecker.org
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaNoeckerForRamseyCounty
Candidate Bio
I grew up in St. Louis Park and lived and worked in Boston, Baton Rouge, India and Uganda before making my home on the West Side in 2011. I became active with the West Side Community Organization, eventually serving as board chair, and then served on the Planning Commission, which was my first real exposure to local government. I loved it. I saw how practical, well-designed local action could improve lives in immediate, meaningful ways.
I was elected to the St. Paul City Council in 2015 and I’m currently serving as Council President. I love digging into policy, listening deeply, seeing all sides of a problem, and getting things done.
I’m proud of the work I have accomplished on the Council over the last 10 years. I’ve worked on ordinances to ensure safe gun storage, preserve trees, fund small businesses along our commercial corridors, and protect our community from Operation Metro Surge. I also created the Open for Business initiative to make it easier to do business in St. Paul.
But the city can only do so much without an effective, responsive partner at the county. I look forward to being that partner for St. Paul.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Collaborative - I value my partnerships with community members and groups and believe that talking to the people who actually do the work lets me best understand what their needs are.
Critical thinker - I am not afraid to ask why or why not. I value input from those with different perspectives and truly want everyone to feel part of the process. I listen to everyone and I explain how I reached my decision, whether or not we agree.
Detail-oriented - Local government requires implementation expertise to be effective. The state appropriates funds and helps push agenda items, but the city and county have to sweat the small stuff and get things done for our residents. I have been executing for St. Paul, working for every one of our residents, for over a decade.
All about results - I do the hard work and see things through. I believe success in government isn’t measured by the number of meetings we hold or the statements we make. It’s measured in action, in tangible results that affect people’s daily lives.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Ramsey County should be the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.
First, I will address our community's most serious problems with bold, decisive action. We need to stop talking about key issues like W. 7th Street, the Downtown Riverfront, homelessness and childcare affordability and start truly doing something about them.
Second, I will strengthen the partnership between St. Paul and Ramsey County. With property taxes rising and the federal government disinvesting from our community, St. Paul and Ramsey County need to be working more efficiently. That means working together—sharing services, avoiding duplication, and communicating openly.
Third, I want to make the county’s work more visible, so people can understand its impact on their lives and hold county officials responsible for results.
State and federal disinvestment is a serious concern and Ramsey County needs to strongly advocate to our government partners about the need to fully fund counties, especially when it comes to critical public benefits like medical assistance. But the priorities above are within the county’s control, regardless of what happens at other levels of government.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge facing Ramsey County is economic: rising property taxes and the threat of decreased federal funding.
The greatest opportunity is to meet those challenges head-on through improving workforce development programs, increasing the tax base, advocating to the state and federal governments for the funding we need, and coordinating more effectively with the city to reduce duplication and inefficiency.
How would you characterize the business climate in Ramsey County, and what role should the county government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate is moderate. There is so much potential, especially in our small businesses, but we’re not making the most of the business community’s potential to create jobs and expand our economy.
Ramsey County has a significant role to play through the Workforce Innovation Board:
First, we need to accurately measure program goals so we know which programs are working and which programs to fund.
We also need to tie job training programs to position and wage commitments from employers before training begins. And if the job training is being done by a provider, funding must be tied to positive outcomes.
Finally, we need to focus on practical, easy-to-measure workforce assistance such as employer-connected training, job fairs, and driver’s license programs that provide concrete, measurable fixes to job readiness gaps.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
There are a number of pressing public safety issues facing District 5:
ICE - I would pass a separation ordinance for Ramsey County. The St. Paul City Council worked quickly to strengthen our ordinance during Operation Metro Surge, but we must protect county residents and ensure that county employees have clear direction as well.
Opioid Epidemic - The county and the city should pool their settlement dollars to develop a joint strategy. I helped develop a pilot suboxone program citywide, and I’d look to expand such a program at the county level.
Mental Health Services - Ramsey County needs a facility like 1800 Chicago in Hennepin County where people can go for chemical or mental health treatment. Right now, we send people to jail or the Emergency Room, which cannot provide the appropriate level of care that people in crisis deserve.
What role should the county play in addressing housing shortages and affordability, and what would you prioritize?
Housing is a human right. Everyone in our community deserves a safe, affordable, dignified place to live. There are three housing areas that I’d prioritize at the county to make this happen:
First, the county should build more single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings and other types of shelter that accommodate people’s partners, property and pets inside. This will encourage more folks to accept housing and other supports.
The county should also collaborate with the city on a joint housing strategy to prioritize our affordable housing dollars and make them go further.
Finally, the county should be providing homeless outreach, not the city. This should include dramatically expanding street outreach to those who are vulnerable.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Safe and efficient roads and transit systems are critical for our county to thrive. We need to design roads to make alternatives to driving safer and more enjoyable. We can do this through separated biking and walking paths, narrower roads, lower speeds, and year-round maintenance plans.
Ramsey County recently released their All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan which will guide transportation projects across the region. This plan prioritized transportation-system users from most vulnerable to least vulnerable: pedestrians to bicyclists to transit users to drivers to freight operators. The county did this to make sure vulnerable users were always considered first. We need to do more of this kind of planning. We aren’t going to change to a less car-reliant county overnight, but transportation plans that de-center cars can make a real impact that benefits all non-drivers.
We also have some incredibly important, yet frustratingly slow, transportation projects lingering in District 5, such as the West 7th corridor. The county must go back to the table with the city and MnDOT to help fund this generational investment in transit and pedestrian safety.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the county levy?
I have heard loud and clear from my constituents that increased property taxes are hurting them and their families. As we look to paying for county services, increasing the county levy must be the option of last resort. Our first priority should be to expand the tax base to avoid cutting vital services. The county has various levers to do this:
First, the county should sell its 630 acres of county-owned property. These land parcels could transform into revenue-generating, workforce-boosting projects.
The county should enhance its partnerships with the city and local nonprofits to avoid duplication of services and seek efficiencies whenever possible. For example, we could consolidate our separate Emergency Rent Assistance programs into one, and we could create a single application form for financial subsidies for housing and economic development projects so developers only have to apply once.
Finally, the county should consider a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program where tax-exempt organizations make a voluntary payment to support the county. In St. Paul, one of our superpowers is our social capital, our sense of being connected to and responsible for one another. A PILOT program aligns with those values, by affirming that we all have a share in the success of our community.
What are the two or three issues where you believe county government is best positioned to lead — and why the county rather than the state or a municipality?
Counties are the Goldilocks of government. They aren’t too small to solve big regional issues like cities, and they aren’t too partisan and divided like states. Their size is just right to be able to solve big issues that really matter.
I believe that transit and homelessness are best led by the county because they cross municipal borders but still require local specificity and control.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Taxpayer transparency means that everyone knows how the county’s budget is allocated, how their tax level is determined and how their taxes are spent.
We can achieve this through regular, effective community engagement, especially during budget season. As President of the St. Paul City Council, I show up at community events, I hold regular community meetings to keep my constituents informed and empowered and I communicate frequently through my newsletter and social media. I look forward to continuing that high level of community engagement as your next District 5 Commissioner.
We also need to make sure residents know about the many tax refund programs available to them. Ramsey County has left tens of millions of dollars in state refunds on the table due to poor communication. As a Councilmember, I pushed the county to make this information more visible and to move toward an “opt-out” system rather than an “opt-in” so more people are automatically given the refund.
I also advocated for the Council to hold community meetings on the budget earlier in the process, before decisions are made. The state’s mandated Truth in Taxation meeting happens far too late to influence budget decisions. I would continue this practice of early meetings that allow for meaningful input as a County Commissioner.