Public Safety

The most important and basic function of government is to keep citizens safe. As someone who has been actively working on collaborative safety solutions I will continue this work at the House, insisting on both keeping communities safe and fairness in our justice systems. Last session we made historic progress in protecting our communities from gun violence but we must find more solutions to keeping military grade weapons off our streets, even as the Supreme Court undermines our state's rights.

Attract and keep quality law enforcement personnel
Improve police-community relationships
Create statewide cohesive residential placement for violent juvenile offenders that keep the community safe and provide therapeutic treatment
Prevent crime by removing children from abusive conditions that lead to risky behavior, and increase access for at-risk youth to after school job training and mentoring programs
Create statewide court-appointed victims advocate system in order to make our Victims Bill of Rights actionable

Caring for People

Minnesota is a national leader in its commitment to caring for people, making it one of the best places to raise a family, but we have more work to do. As a child who had to be removed from the home of a troubled parent, I am dismayed by failures in our current system and will advocate for action in protecting children. This care for our vulnerable populations must also extend to better support for our elders.

Limit the use of family assessment tools in lieu of child protection investigations to keep vulnerable children safe
Increase affordable options for senior living and care facilities to keep seniors housed and cared for

Climate & Environment

Climate change threatens the natural resources that make this place home and is already impacting our health and quality of life. Last session MN passed landmark legislation to make the clean energy transition by 2040. With a background in environmental law and policy I look forward to ensuring we make this goal, and that we also work to protect and enhance our natural resources more broadly.

Expand e-car charging infrastructure
Support innovation in green technology
Invest in the powergrid to increase renewable energy capacity
Provide incentives for homeowners and businesses to reduce emissions
Increase state testing rather than relying on data produced by those accused of polluting
Reach the 30x30 land conversation goal for biodiversity protection and climate action

Good Governance

Our democracy is in crisis with extremism on the rise. It is time for those who believe in finding win-win solutions to lead. We do this with strong ethical oversight, improving transparency on campaign spending, and by electing leaders who work with their constituents and other local leaders as partners.

End the use of dark money in MN elections
Keep an open door policy with any legislator interested in advancing our district's priorities
Responsible oversight of taxpayer money
Maintain a balanced budget and a healthy rainy day fund
Regular district office hours and town halls to hear from 50A voters and stakeholders
Work closely with local officials to advance SD50A priorities

Reproductive Freedom & Equality

I have been a lifelong champion of women's reproductive freedom and currently serve as Vice Chair of the DFL Feminist Caucus, providing me the background and credibility to be a leading advocate for women at the state capitol. With critical legislative success in 2023 for reproductive rights, now is the time to affirm our commitment to equality under the law and join the effort to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to of the US Constitution.

Urge Congress to ratify the federal ERA
Add an ERA Amendment to the MN Constitution

Economic Opportunity

Minnesota continues to rank among the most solid economies in our country with low unemployment rates and the highest number of Fortune 500 companies per capita. We do however, have a shrinking labor market and an aging population with shortages in several sectors that drags on our overall growth. As someone who has opened a small business and started a small business association, I understand the stressors involved in making a business work and the collaboration needed among private and public stakeholders. Our path forward depends on continuing to provide an excellent quality of life, which attracts talented workers and innovation, as well as investing in critical infrastructure for economic growth.

Attract and keep high paying jobs in Minnesota with world-class educational opportunities, good government, and access to beautiful year-round outdoor recreation
Focus on job creation in innovation sectors, including green-energy jobs
Build resilient supply chains in Minnesota
Work to reduce disparities that slow homeownership, buying power, and economic growth
Protect the right to unionize
Streamline regulatory process for small businesses
Create loan repayment programs in critically understaffed job sectors

Education

I am the child and grandchild of people who believe in the power of education to bring value and meaning to life. As a lifelong learner and an educator there are few things more important to me than educational opportunities; and as a mom I know how important schools are in fostering a sense of community. I believe education is the foundational bedrock to many other goals, including a strong economy, low crime rates, eliminating disparities, achieving equality, civic engagement, and an overall high quality of life. I look forward to providing leadership that connects the value of education to the network of social benefits it fosters.

Create universal pre-K
Support competitive wages for teachers
Expand after school learning and after school activities, particularly with intergenerational mentorship
Build out statewide high-speed broadband network
Support safe learning environments for all students
Ensure affordable tuition at land grant colleges and universities
Diversify post-secondary educational opportunities, with incentives to enter high-need job sectors