Education is the foundation upon which futures are built. Every child should have the access to a world-class educational experience everyday no matter what zip code they live in within the state. To improve educational outcomes, we should:

- Stabilize education funding by permitting local optional revenue.

- Increase access to high quality voluntary Pre-K programs

- Continue to provide support for the READ ACT which is a science-based program that focuses on reading instruction. The goal of the program is to assure all children starting in kindergarten are able to read at or above grade level.

- Focus on increasing the quality of special education. We must ensure that educational opportunities are equitable for each student regardless of their status.  Special education is an important vehicle for children with learning disabilities to obtain a quality education. 

- Focus on English learners. This population comprises the fastest growing and most geographically diverse students in Minnesota.  However, their academic outcomes continue to fall behind grade level and state expectations.

- Provide programs to help students recover from any learning gaps that developed as a result of COVID or major absenteeism in their education.

- Create new pathways for teacher licensure. This will help address the shortage in attracting, developing and retaining teachers, special education teachers, multilingual teachers, and teachers of color. (See bill)

- Increase funding for students and staff  for mental health and social emotional learning. Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, have supportive and caring connections. They tend to use appropriate problem-solving skills and add to a positive school culture.

- Revisit instructional hours –The current education system  is structured around inflexible schedules, attendance, and funding, which prioritizes time as the focus rather than student engagement and learning. Students learn differently from one another, and often at a different pace. The rigidity of the current system does not allow for local control and for what is best for student learning and growth.

One in five Minnesotans lives with a disability. Learn more >>

Access to many disability accommodations is a major issue Minnesotans face each and every day. I will work to develop legislative initiatives to expand access to such accommodations so they are adequate to meet daily needs of this population.

My family has a history of entrepreneurship and has owned a number of small businesses.  As a result, I support initiatives that strengthen small businesses because I understand they are the economic engines of our community and our State. I also believe workers deserve livable wages, safe working conditions, and strong unions to ensure their rights.

The issue of climate change is a current reality we must contend with therefore  must I support:

- Initiative that will transition us from fossil fuels to renewable energy

- Statewide investments in clean transportation infrastructure

- Protecting clean water by reducing road salt and utilizing biodegradable substitutes from sugar beets which will simultaneously help the environment, reduce damage to roadways and bolster the farm economy.

- Funding for vocational/technical training to prepare low-income students and other economically marginalized communities for careers in the green economy, ensuring that we build wealth and save the planet, simultaneously.

- Initiatives that will help us to achieve a  100% carbon free energy status in Minnesota.

Currently, attempts are being made to undermine women’s rights to make decisions about their bodies and healthcare through various legislative proposals. I will support any initiative that will ensure women’s reproductive rights and access to family planning services are protected.

I support expanded access to healthcare services whenever feasible and the elimination of healthcare disparities.

I will support initiatives that reduce violence, build trust, and transform public safety in partnership with law enforcement agencies and community members.

As our community grows, it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is included — regardless of income level. I support access to affordable, high-quality housing and home ownership for all.

I will support initiatives to:

- Create and fund children’s crisis homes and increase funds for respite care.

- Provide education and training for judges on mental health issues.

- Increase the access to residential treatment facilities.

- Prohibit jails from charging for phone calls from jail to case managers, mental health professionals and health care navigators.

- Provide education staff training on trauma informed care 

We need an economy that works for working families and seniors, not big corporations and the wealthy. 

I supported the bills for an expanded child tax credit, and to prohibit  taxing social security benefits.