DIGNITY AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY FOR ALL EAST SIDERS
Nelsie is the first-generation daughter of Hmong refugees and grew up in a low-income household. Wealth was the single, largest determining factor of their quality of life and because she lived much of her life in scarcity, she vows to never let poverty write anyone else’s story again.
Nelsie works to end the cycle of poverty for working-class families and individuals by eliminating the many social and economic barriers preventing the livelihood and full participation of all East Siders. She believes they deserve to live in dignity with effective healthcare, housing stability, fresh food, safe transportation, equitable developments, and more.
Accomplishments
Built long-lasting partnerships with community members, labor unions, local non-profit organizations, and more, including but not limited to TakeAction Minnesota, Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation, Saint Paul Federation of Educators, Women Winning
Serving as Vice Chair of Library Board, Vice President of Board of Water Commissioners, Member of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board, & Member of Purple Line Policy Committee
Supported the work of the Saint Paul City Council Legislative Advisory Committee on Reparations to form the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission
Oversaw the work of the Early Learning Legislative Advisory Committee
Led a grassroots campaign to ensure marginalized communities on the East Side had access to the COVID-19 vaccine
Sponsored a council resolution endorsing Medicare For All, which garnered unanimous support
Upcoming Priorities
Continue co-governing with community members, labor unions, local non-profit organizations and elected officials to advance racial, economic, gender, and climate justice
Advocate and partner with community organizations and elected officials for equitable local government aid from state legislature to ensure property tax relief for East Siders
Advocate for revenue generating funding sources that give residents property tax relief and incentivize non-Saint Paul residents who work, play, and travel to our capital city to contribute toward our city infrastructure, such as roads and parks
Ensure residents eligible for tax refunds are issued payment immediately without having to file for it by partnering with government entities to push for automated systems
Champion a local and publicly funded early learning program for children ages 0-5
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The East Side is an historic ethnic enclave best known for its diversity of small, community-based and family-run businesses. In spite of being one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Saint Paul, it remains underinvested in. Meanwhile, the rise of property taxes have also decreased the longevity of mom and pops, led to an increase of vacant lots, and caused financial distress for existing East Side entrepreneurs.
Nelsie believes prioritizing the economic sustainability of these businesses can increase local job opportunities and capital, and in return, help revitalize and reinvest in our neighborhood. She is prepared to advocate that entrepreneurs and developers of color, women, and millennials, those who experience the highest rate of discrimination when pursuing loans and grants, are prioritized for all business and economic opportunities on the East Side.
Accomplishments
Championed earned sick & safe time and livable wages for Saint Paul employees
Awarded Neighborhood STAR and Year Round Star grants to local business associations and small businesses to fund the rejuvenation of existing business infrastructures
Upcoming Priorities
Partner with the Saint Paul Port Authority to develop The Heights and generate 1,000 livable wage jobs
Better support small businesses and connect them with financial resources, such as grants and low-interest loans
Implement program to support small businesses with financial, marketing, and technology skills
Invest funding and resources back into the community to advance public safety and prioritize youth, communities of color, and working-class families
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RENT STABILIZATION
The high cost of living and a lack of affordable housing, as well as the added financial forces of debt and unlivable wages, are some of the most pressing issues keeping families out of a stable, permanent home. A home is a basic necessity and without a warm place to sleep, take showers, or have meals, children and adults suffer.
Nelsie believes affordable housing and rent stabilization should be within the means of all individuals, especially for seniors and low-income individuals living paycheck to paycheck. Nelsie not only advocates for affordable housing and rent stabilization that unites people across race, gender, and class but also implements mixed income housing and neighborhood median income moving forward.
Accomplishments
Worked in coalition with Housing Equity Now Saint Paul on a victorious campaign for rent stabilization
Collaborated on the creation of a city ordinance to protect renters’ rights and prevent housing displacement
Partnered with Ramsey County to allocate $74 million American Rescue Plan Fund and invest in deeply affordable housing
Increased grants and funding for organizations and Saint Paul Fire’s CARES Team to provide care services for unhoused communities
Centered community input and voice in proposed development projects, such as at the former Hamm’s Brewery site
Upcoming Priorities
Partner with the Saint Paul Port Authority to develop The Heights and create 1,000 housing units
Ensure East Side development sites, such as the former Hafner’s Site, centers equity and the voices of working families & communities of color
Pass a tenant rights ordinance
Ensure rent stabilization ordinance centers renters and has adequate staffing for enforcement
Continue investing in deeply affordable housing
COMMUNITY-BASED PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROGRAMMING
Community-based public safety liberates all communities from institutionalized racism, sexism, and classism. Divestment in the East Side has left much of the community trapped in cycles of poverty and violence, as well as a deep lack of resources and programming for youth, disenfranchised adults, and the elderly.
Nelsie is a former criminal justice organizer and believes restorative justice programs can dismantle the root causes of crime and transform public safety. She hopes to increase the accessibility and funding of youth and adult diversion programs, create services around mental health and cultural competency, and encourage collaboration amongst emergency response teams, such as firefighters, police officers, mental health practitioners, social workers, and more.
Accomplishments
Distributed $100,000 in grant funds to BIPOC-led organizations working to prevent gun violence, provide mental health education, and advance other community safety initiatives
Banned conversion therapy to advance gender justice and protect LGBTQ+ communities
Secured funding and partnerships to renovate the most outdated recreation centers and libraries on the East Side
Allocated additional funding libraries to create safer experiences for library employees and patrons
Upcoming Priorities
Pass a weapons safe storage ordinance
Support the renovation of the Duluth and Case Recreation Center, the Hayden Heights Recreation Center, and the Hayden Heights Library
Prioritize youth development
Community First Public Safety programming and policies
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Decisions around climate and environmental justice are deeply rooted in racism and classism, often leaving diverse neighborhoods like the East Side to be served last. Our future generations rely on today’s leadership to make healthy and forward-thinking decisions to protect our climate and environment.
Nelsie will fight for the preservation and expansion of green spaces, improvement of parks and recreational spaces for youth and families, and cost-effective renewable energy that allows our climate and environment to thrive.
Accomplishments
Implementation and completion of biking and walking trails on the Johnson Parkway Regional Trail
Launched Evie Carshare, a citywide electrical vehicle carshare program, in collaboration with district councils, community organizations, and HourCar
Upcoming Priorities
Ensure that The Heights will become the first carbon neutral neighborhood in the country
Expansion of Evie Carshare into Greater East Side
EQUITABLE ROADS, TRANSPORTATION, & CITY SERVICES
While the East Side is densely populated with several major streets, it does not have many transportation options within walking distance. Most streets and roads are also in declining position and are seldom included in the state’s improvement plans.
Nelsie is committed to working directly with Public Works and other government entities to ensure the highest rate of quality and service are invested in plowing, street maintenance, and designing on the East Side to ensure maximum potential for the safety of East Side residents.
Accomplishments
Prioritized street designs for pedestrians and bikers
Launched Pothole Reporting Day to improve street quality, build community among neighbors, and educate the community how to report potholes
Secured funding to start the mill and overlay project on East Shore Drive around Lake Phalen
Advocate for the implementation of the Metro Transit Purple Line
Upcoming Priorities
Pass an updated emergency snow plowing ordinance to address equity
Push for top-notch city services such as equity-based, cost-efficient snow plow operations and organized trash collection
Partner with MnDot to ensure the Arcade Street Redesign Project prioritizes the perspectives of East Side residents and business owners
Advocate that Ramsey County’s redesign of White Bear Ave prioritizes pedestrians, bikers, and transit-us