Jobs
Job creation and retention has and will continue to be my top priority at the Minnesota Legislature. For me, it’s personal. I have seen first-hand the economic struggles of the people of northern Minnesota and experienced past economic downturns that forced layoffs at the Boise paper mill and understand the effect it has on the entire community.
One of the biggest challenges facing our region is the lack of job diversification. We must do everything we can to bring diversity to our jobs portfolio such as adding technology. This would balance and strengthen our economy. I was proud to be the chief author of legislation to make significant investments in the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. I was proud that our new budget included $40 million worth of investments over the next two years to expand high-speed broadband internet service in Greater Minnesota.
I strongly support non-ferrous mining as long as all environmental standards are satisfied, because it will create the next generation of mining jobs in northern Minnesota.
I will continue to fight for every job in northern Minnesota.
Job creation and retention has and will continue to be my top priority at the Minnesota Legislature. For me, it’s personal. I have seen first-hand the economic struggles of the people of northern Minnesota and experienced past economic downturns that forced layoffs at the Boise paper mill and understand the effect it has on the entire community.
One of the biggest challenges facing our region is the lack of job diversification. We must do everything we can to bring diversity to our jobs portfolio such as adding technology. This would balance and strengthen our economy. I was proud to be the chief author of legislation to make significant investments in the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. I was proud that our new budget included $40 million worth of investments over the next two years to expand high-speed broadband internet service in Greater Minnesota.
I strongly support non-ferrous mining as long as all environmental standards are satisfied, because it will create the next generation of mining jobs in northern Minnesota.
I will continue to fight for every job in northern Minnesota.
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Education
High quality education is the cornerstone of what puts Minnesota above the rest. Every child deserves a world-class education regardless of where they live. A student in northern Minnesota should have the same opportunities as a student that lives in the Twin Cities metro. Our new state budget made investments in students of all ages and abilities, including pre-K for our early learners, a 2% increase each of the next two years on the school funding formula, funding for special education, and additional school safety grants. We need to fully fund all-day pre-K across Minnesota and ensure that our schools are adequately funded. We must also ensure that college is affordable and accessible. I support a tuition freeze at our state colleges and universities and developing a more equitable funding formula for our community college system. I also helped secure new funding for Cook County Higher Education. |
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Transportation
I support a long-term, sustainable transportation plan that will fix our deteriorating roads and bridges. I will continue to fight to ensure our area’s local road and bridge needs are put front and center. Property Taxes As a former county commissioner, I understand how critical state aid is to local governments in our region. The Legislature made investments in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid to allow municipalities to keep up with the rising costs of providing basic public services. I will continue to strongly support ensuring our local governments are adequately funded so they can continue provide quality services at the local level. Health and Human Services I support improving access to affordable and high-quality health care to all Minnesotans. I fought to protect access to health care for over 1.2 million Minnesotans. Our senior citizens deserve safe, dignified, and high-quality care. I was appalled at the horrific reports of elder abuse. In response, we passed sweeping reforms with new oversight to protect elderly and vulnerable adults in assisted living facilities from neglect and abuse. The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on our families and communities across Minnesota. We worked to address the opioid crisis by passing new fees on manufacturers and distributors that will generate over $20 million each year to pay for prevention, treatment, child protection, and public safety. I will continue to strongly support efforts to provide nursing homes, caregivers, and direct care providers with increased funding so that patients will receive the best care and staff can earn a living wage. |
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Parks and Trails
I will continue to work on ATV, Mountain Bike, and Hiking trail projects in our area and adequately fund our parks. These past two years we’ve made strategic investments into local trail projects in our area such as the Prospectors ATV trail, Mesabi Trail, and the Gitchi Gammi. I will also continue to work on Voyageurs National Park clean water projects. Northern Minnesota Values I am an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and support the right to bear arms. I also support the industries that are unique to northern Minnesota such as forest products, mining and outdoor recreation. |
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