Issues

Education

Education is the foundation of a well-functioning society. Our public school systems are the main building block of that foundation. Whether a child plans to pursue a college education or enter the workforce after graduation, our schools must prepare all students for their desired paths. We must ensure that the quality of a child’s education is not determined by their zipcode. We need to continue to strive to fully fund our schools. Rural districts are especially impacted by funding inequities. Inadequate funding can lead to the need for tax levies, which can cost rural taxpayers 3-4 times more than larger urban districts for the same amount of money. For our students who wish to pursue higher education, the incredibly high cost of tuition can be prohibitive. Our students should be able to pursue their chosen path without the burden of excessive debt.

Housing

Adequate and stable housing is absolutely necessary to support a strong economy and the health and well being of those in our communities. People need to be able to afford to live near their places of employment. The steep increases in both interest rates and home prices have made home ownership out of reach for many. Wages have not kept up with increased housing costs. Many lower income families are paying more than 30% of their income toward their housing. Everyone deserves to have a safe roof over their heads. We need to ensure that affordable and appropriate housing is available to everyone who calls Minnesota home.

Healthcare

The cost of healthcare is a large burden for many families. No one should have to decide whether or not to seek medical attention because of the cost. Families should not have to choose between buying food or necessary medications. Mental health services should be covered under all medical plans. Rural areas struggle with access to medical care. Smaller clinics are unable to stay open, and people have to travel farther from their homes to seek care. Many of these areas rely solely on volunteer EMS services. Due to a lack of financial support, many of these ambulance services struggle to stay operational. Losing these essential services would leave many in our communities without quick access to emergency care. During a life threatening situation, an extra 10-15 minute response time can mean the difference between life and death. We need to ensure people have access to affordable and quality healthcare.

Environment

Everyone has a right to clean water and air. Our unique ecosystem in southeastern Minnesota makes our ground water more susceptible to pollution. There are many places with nitrate levels in the water that are considered unsafe. We need to protect our soil and water. Our farmers rely on them to be able to provide food for our families. Also, outdoor recreation in Minnesota is a huge industry. So many of us enjoy hunting/fishing, swimming in our beautiful lakes, or hiking in our amazing parks. These activities also provide a large amount of tourist revenue to our communities. Protecting our precious resources not only protects public health, it also benefits our economy.

I fully support the transition to clean energy by 2040. Not only is it better for our environment, it can also save us money. We need to continue to provide incentives that will help make this transition happen, including updating our infrastructure to be able to handle these changes. It is an ambitious goal, but Minnesota can be an example on how to get this done.

Agriculture

Small family farms are struggling to remain operational. It is incredibly difficult for many farmers to provide health insurance for their families. As a state, we need to ensure that they have access to affordable and quality healthcare. Farming is incredibly expensive, and farmers should have the right to fix their equipment. I support right to repair laws for agriculture. We should also provide incentives to farmers to embrace more sustainable farming practices. These practices not only help lessen the impact on the environment, they also will help make those farms more resilient and can lead to long-term cost savings.

Childcare

Both the high cost and limited availability of childcare is a large burden for many families. Without reliable and affordable childcare, people are unable to work or children may be left unattended. Access to high quality care has been shown to increase positive outcomes in social skills, literacy, and physical health in children. School readiness depends on high quality care during those first years of life. It can be especially difficult for families with children with special needs, lower-income households, single-parent families, or parents who work non-traditional hours to find reliable and affordable care. The childcare system is complex and licensing can be expensive and confusing. We are losing many of our licensed childcare providers in our rural communities. Investing in affordable high quality childcare will not only benefit our families but will also have positive economic effects.