• I believe affordable childcare requires a mix of proactive and reactive responses. First, we need to invest more in childcare through tax incentives for childcare businesses, especially in-home daycares. We need to expand public scholarships for families experiencing financial hardship and tax credits for childcare for all families. We also need to guarantee universal preschool and PreK for families so there is structured, age-appropriate support through early childhood education. (While structured, I believe these experiences should be rooted in play and social skills development for kids.) 

• We need more workers in both childcare and education, so we should expand educational opportunities through investments in job training and scholarships. There should be a state-based loan forgiveness program for educators who complete 4 years of teaching in schools identified as Title I (research shows the first 3 years are where we lose the most teachers, so this would help get people past that) and 7 years in any public school. This is especially important with federal loan forgiveness after 10 years being so in flux.

• Schools need additional funding to offset the inflationary costs they've been covering for more than a decade so they can reinvest those resources in teachers/staff and benefits rather than trying to just cover basic operating costs. 

• A natural question is with all of these investments, how will you offset them? Another is given all of the fraud identified in childcare programs, how can you guarantee this won't continue?

  • I believe we can cover this in several ways. First, with expanded childcare, we should have more workers, which would result in higher payroll taxes and general economic development. Second, I think tax options should be explored that don't disproportionately affect our most vulnerable populations. I'm not versed enough in this yet, but I imagine it would be taxing luxury goods like boats and second homes rather than commodities like food/household goods. It's an area I'd work with my legislative colleagues to learn more about.

  • Regarding fraud, I believe there should be stronger screening for assistance, more regular check-ins and vetting of centers to make sure they are legitimate, and a stronger statewide database of individuals and businesses that have previously been identified for fraud, misreporting, or other malfeasance. There should be high support with high accountability.

• Personal experience with this topic:

  • My husband and I adopted our two children from the foster care system. We were able to benefit from childcare grants because of that, and it was of huge help to our family.

  • My husband is a career educator, having started as a music teacher and now working as an administrative dean. He's had to fight for a liveable wage his entire career, including at times having to change schools just to get a raise.

  • I have worked for 11 years in education administration, starting at Minneapolis Public Schools and now at Eden Prairie Schools. This lens, combined with our family experience, helps me understand both the school/academic side of education as well as the operational side. 

• I believe in universal healthcare with equal access for all. Knowing this is a difficult political hurdle, I also support increasing access to public marketplaces through rebates and incentives. This includes allowing people to buy into MinnesotaCare regardless of income.

• There should be more ways to extend coverage for family members in the way that children can stay on their parents' insurance for longer.

• I also support some sort of review process/board for reviewing and determining limits on prescriptions. We know this is possible through work done on things like insulin. 

• I also believe mental health is a vital component of healthcare. We need to do more to expand access and options for mental health and holistic medicine, and we need to do more work to lessen the stigma associated with this. 

• From the PDF you shared, the part about "restrict profiteering" also resonates. We should have more oversight of health insurance companies and hospitals, particularly those that run as nonprofits, to make sure money is invested in workers and care and not executive compensation and bonuses.

• This is an area where I have more learning to do. Fortunately, I have a great network of people well versed in healthcare so that I can lean on them for knowledge and advice. This includes Dr. Kellie Stecher, one of the other SD49 candidates.

• Personal experience:

  • My experience here comes from my personal healthcare experience, my family experience, and my children's experience.

  • Since they were adopted, my children received Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage for healthcare. Without this, we would be drowning in medical bills. They receive important mental health, hospitalization, prescription and specialty coverage. A lot of this, especially the mental health coverage, is preventive work that will save tons of taxpayer resources later on.

  • My parents were on Tricare through the military, which provided wide access at a more affordable rate. However, as my mom transitioned to Medicare, she's faced more hurdles and barriers to care, including need more prior authorization and having to appeal denials for prescriptions she's been on for a long time. We should be making access and affordability easier as people age, not more difficult.

• A lot of this comes down to local zoning regulations. As a state, we need to be incentivizing counties, cities and towns to prioritize affordable housing. Carver County is doing a lot of great work in this area that we should try to replicate, especially through community land trust options that open doors for more people to purchase a home.

• There should also be rent increase caps so that families who enter affordable housing don't get priced out, as well as stronger protections for renters in affordable units so that they don't become targets of landlords looking to get them out and get what they view as more market-based rent for the unit. This includes lot rent on manufactured and mobile homes.

• Affordability isn't just about the rent or mortgage; it’s about the cost of staying in your home. I support state investments in weatherization and home repair grants to lower energy costs for families, as well as expanding access to programs that provide support for energy costs. No family should have to choose between heating their home and buying groceries.

• I also support work like Wooddale Church has done to offer rental assistance for families that is tied to budgeting, employment and other support so that people grow their knowledge and skills to become more independent over time. 

• Personal experience:

  • Having been homeless in my youth, this is an issue I care deeply about. If I hadn't had a boyfriend and friends to take me in, there's no way I would have made it through high school...let alone to where I am now. Part of what helped me get stabilized was SNAP benefits so that I could afford my rent.

• I believe that Minnesota’s resources should be used to support our communities, not to act as an arm of federal enforcement. Our money, facilities and personnel should not be assisting with federal immigration enforcement.

• I support legislation that would require body cameras and restrict facial coverings for non-local law enforcement entities, including immigration authorities like ICE and CBP. I will fight for clear statutory prohibitions against racial profiling and the use of militarized tactics (like chemical irritants) against peaceful protesters, ensuring that civil rights are protected before they are violated.  

• If there were violations of due process, incidents of racial profiling, or inappropriate responses to protests, I would support investigating those incidents. I would push for local ownership of investigations, and if cooperation with federal authorities was necessary, make sure there was equal access to information and shared findings. If the evidence pointed to a crime, I would support holding those people accountable.

• Across all platforms I have for communication, I would speak out against infringements on due process, racial profiling, and aggressive tactics by authorities.

• I would support increases in funding for training for law enforcement about implicit bias and ways to grow cultural awareness to reduce harm across communities. 

• Personal experience:

  • Most of my experience in this area has been through personal and professional growth. I helped launch Good Trouble PR, an initiative for public relations practitioners to get in "good, necessary trouble" as described by Congressman Lewis through their work. In teams I have led, I embed cultural humility training into our professional development and make sure we have resources and connections with people from many different backgrounds and with varying identities so we can receive input on best practices and unique cultural needs in our work. Personally, I have completed a racial autobiography and examined my racial identity and lenses in order to learn and grow. I believe in creating space to learn, to make mistakes and grow from them, and to repair harm when caused.

• We need to make sure the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights are fully staffed and funded in order to support this work. They need to be resourced to do preventive work through training and public information campaigns, and they need to be able to investigate and take action when rights are violated.

• Beyond funding, I will champion the Minnesota Voting Rights Act to ensure our democracy is truly inclusive. Protecting free speech also means protecting the right of people to organize and advocate for their communities without fear of surveillance or retaliation.

• Personal experience:

  • As a gay man and the parent of a biracial son, these protections are critical for our family and families like ours. Every family, especially those who have historically been underserved and underrepresented, deserves safety and dignity. This is especially true when they are exercising constitutional rights.

• This is covered partially in my comments above. I will be an unabashed champion of public education.

• Additional ways to fully fund public schools are to make sure the state covers the gaps in funding for special education and multilingual learning. I have serious concerns about currently planned reductions in special education funding and will be watching closely the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education Funding (which I applied to be a member of as a parent of children with IEPs). 

• I also support increasing the per-pupil cap on property tax levies, continuing to allow districts to renew voter-approved levies and extend that to bonds, and removing the 3% cap on state aid.

• I would propose more funding for grow-your-own programs to provide more pathways to licensure for non-teaching school staff. We should also expand community schools that offer wrap-around support for students and families, like healthcare, mental healthcare, dental care and more.

• We also need to invest in after-school programs and community centers so they can be seen as essential services and places that keep kids safe and thriving.

• We can do this work by making sure the wealthiest individuals and businesses pay their fair share.

• We should create more consumer- and community-based energy businesses, such as cooperatives that prioritize members first and reinvest in member service and support.

• I would support expanding investments into public transportation and strengthening our electric vehicle infrastructure so it's more convenient and reliable to use more energy-efficient options. This is especially true in rural Minnesota.

• I would support tax incentives and rebates for solar energy, along with other forms of renewable energy.

• Making sure the largest polluters pay their fair share is something I would need to do more research into and work with people who have more knowledge in that area. I would imagine this would require carbon caps/offsets, removing tax incentives, and increased regulations.

• Personal experience:

  • I have chosen to drive a hybrid vehicle, partially because my Nissan Leaf couldn't handle Minnesota winters and travel extensively without charging. So I understand the need for a strong infrastructure, and also making these options affordable. 

YES. I will support, and hopefully lead in, efforts to create a Department for Seniors. With seniors soon to be one-third of our population, the current fragmented system is no longer sustainable.

My plan for making this a reality:

1. Cabinet-level authority. Give seniors a direct seat at the table with the Governor to ensure their needs aren't sidelined by other agency crises.

2. End the silos. I support a "Hub and Spoke" model where a new Department leads the strategy, but every state commissioner is held accountable for senior-specific outcomes in their respective fields (transportation, labor, health).

3. Strategic coordination. Use this Department to deepen implementation of the 2024 "Multisector Blueprint for Aging," ensuring efficient use of state resources and a "no wrong door" policy for Minnesota families.

Seniors deserve a dedicated leader to ensure that every arm of state government is working for them, all the time.

YES. I will advocate for age discrimination being an enforcement priority for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). My own parents have experienced this, from my dad being denied promotions because he's seen as too close to retirement to my mom needing part-time work just to make ends meet post-retirement.

Some ideas I have to make progress on this issue:

1. Prioritizing MDHR enforcement. Because federal law creates an almost impossible standard for seniors, the state of Minnesota must do more for older workers. I will advocate for increased funding for MDHR to fast-track age-related complaints, which will help make sure they don't languish in a backlog while a senior loses their livelihood.

2. Supporting a presumption of protection. I support shifting the burden of proof. Once a senior establishes a "prima facie" case of discrimination, the burden should shift to the employer to prove that age was not a motivating factor. We must codify the "motivating factor" standard into state law to ensure Minnesota courts remain a fairer venue than the federal system.

3. Age-blind hiring for state contractors. I will support a mandate requiring state contractors to use age-blind application processes (removing graduation dates and birth years) for initial screenings.

4. MDHR secret shopper program. I will propose creating an undercover secret shopper program to test age discrimination. By sending similar resumes (one "older," one "younger") to employers, we can identify and fine bad actors who filter out seniors before an interview even happens.

5. Phased retirement credits. I support tax incentives for businesses that create programs that allow seniors to mentor younger staff while maintaining their own income and dignity, rather than being pushed out.

To be honest, I do not feel like I have enough information or understanding of this topic to provide a deep answer. What I can say is no one should be penalized for pre-existing conditions. I generally also oppose a penalty for changing. If you receive insurance through your employer, you do not get penalized for changing during an open enrollment season. Or, for my adopted children on medical assistance with many pre-existing conditions, there is no penalty to change plans during open enrollment.

To learn more about this topic, I would work with the Senior Caucus to grow my understanding, speak with my colleagues at the legislature about the intent behind the law, ask my constituents about the impacts to them, and then find a path forward that addresses the intent of the changes while keeping seniors more whole, both personally and financially.

I believe in a "cradle to grave" social contract, which means providing a hand up whenever it is needed. My commitment is personal having navigated Medicaid for my adopted children and relied on SNAP as a young adult. I know these programs are lifelines.

In the face of federal cuts, I will lead in efforts to:

1. Protect eligibility. I will oppose any state-level red tape or work requirements that use administrative hurdles to kick eligible seniors off medical assistance or SNAP.

2. Backfill critical funding. I support using state general funds to shore up optional services that federal cuts often target first, such as home- and community-based services and dental/vision care.

3. Expand access. The Department for Seniors we create could act as a central coordinator, ensuring that food, housing, and medical programs aren't siloed but work together to keep seniors safe and healthy.

I view the Senior Caucus as my eyes and ears on the ground. In partnership with you, I would draft, co-sign, and champion "Aging with Dignity" legislation. I would also work with you to make sure your members have a seat at the table during the biennial budget-setting process so we are funding what actually works for Minnesota seniors.

Again, my connection to this issue is personal. My parents were victims of a tax return scam that stole thousands of dollars. I have seen firsthand the devastation caused by these predators, and I want to help lead efforts to make Minnesota a most hostile place for scammers.

Some ways I think we can do this:

1. Maximize investments to aid victims. I will fight to expand the Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund passed in 2025 to directly compensate victims. No senior should be left with zero recourse just because a scammer is untraceable or bankrupt.

2. Expedited injunctions. I support the law that just went into effect allowing for emergency court injunctions to freeze assets of vulnerable instantly. When exploitation is suspected, need immediate safeguards.

3. Expanded prosecution. I will advocate for increased funding so prosecutors aggressively pursue criminal and civil litigation.

4. Easier reporting. We must simplify the reporting process. A senior who has been scammed is often in shock; they shouldn't have to navigate five different agencies to get help. I will work to streamline reporting and market resources for senior financial exploitation.

Again, this one hits home. Both of my sons qualify for PCA services, so I know firsthand that when we support caregivers, we aren't just helping families...we are keeping the entire healthcare system from collapsing. I know the panic of gaps in care and the struggle to find well-trained, long-term staff.

We must move beyond support and treat caregiving as the essential infrastructure it is:

1. Increase wages and benefits: I support raising wages for direct support workers. However, we must go further by increasing the reimbursement rates for the new Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program so that family caregivers can be paid a living wage that reflects the dignity of their work.

2. Expanding pipelines and education connections. We need to professionalize the workforce. We can partner with schools and higher education to offer career pathways, tuition credits, and guaranteed job placement for students who enter the direct care workforce. We should treat direct care not as an entry-level job, but as a skilled career with a clear ladder for advancement.

3. Improved marketing. We cannot wait for seniors to find resources. I envision a "Check-Up Checklist" initiative where doctors are reimbursed for spending 5 minutes during annual wellness visits to hand seniors a physical list of local caregiver resources. Additionally, we should utilize the DMV and pharmacy counters as information hubs, ensuring that every time a senior renews a license or picks up a prescription, they receive information on resources and supports.

4. Expanding rural access. In rural Minnesota, where the worker shortage is most acute, I support transportation stipends for home care workers who travel long distances between clients, reducing location as a barrier to care.

We must balance funding our shared priorities with protecting those on fixed incomes. With seniors being 1/5 of the population by 2035, they will have to help contribute to these solutions but should not shoulder this disproportionately. I view property taxes as an impactful and volatile burden for seniors, as rising home valuations often outpace cost-of-living adjustments, threatening the ability to age in place.

To provide relief while maintaining our tax base, I support:

1. Expanding the Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens. We should lower the entry threshold so more seniors can cap their property taxes at a fixed percentage of their income, deferring the rest until the home is sold.

2. Strengthening the homestead credit refund. I will vote to ensure this refund automatically adjusts for inflation and assessment spikes.

3. Targeted relief. I support protecting the elimination of state taxes on Social Security benefits for most households.

Reliable transportation is the difference between independence and isolation.

To keep Minnesota seniors mobile, I support:

1. Empowering volunteer drivers. I will advocate for increasing the state volunteer mileage tax subtraction and support the federal effort to match the volunteer rate with the business mileage rate. Those providing rides shouldn't pay out-of-pocket to serve their neighbors.

2. Expanding local options. We must increase funding for curb-to-curb services, especially in rural areas where traditional ride-shares are unavailable.

3. Developing accessible ride-share partnerships. I support state incentives for ride-share companies to provide more booking options (especially for those without smartphones) and to expand their fleets of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

4. Creating transit navigators. I would explore funding for community-based programs that pair seniors with transit mentors to build confidence in safely using apps and public systems.

YES. When someone faces terminal illness and has the ability to make a choice with a sound mind, they should be supported in dying with dignity. I would support and advocate for the End of Life Option Act. By ensuring strict safeguards, we can limit those forced to suffer when a safe, medical alternative exists.

This is another area where I have more to learn. I'm not well versed in the policy nuances of elder abuse and crimes against seniors, though I've read news stories and heard accounts from friends about their families affected by this. What I can say is no senior should be forced into isolation by fear or lose their life savings to a predator. I have walked many seniors to their cars at night because they simply wanted a little reassurance, so I know the feeling of safety is the foundation of independence...and sometimes people want a helping hand.

To learn more, I will would again lean on the Senior Caucus to expand my awareness and knowledge, seek out opportunities to learn from the community such as visiting the Eden Prairie Senior Center, and ask constituents about the real-world impacts to them and their families. My goal would be to find a path that stops abusers while empowering seniors in maintaining independence and protecting care for those who need it most.

As a candidate, and as someone who deeply appreciates the work educators do by being married to one, I share your belief that teaching the whole child must include fostering a connection to the outdoors.

I am completely supportive of efforts to protect, preserve and promote our natural world (and also very supportive of alliteration). Representative Falconer is doing incredible work in this space, and I would do everything possible to help elevate his efforts and safeguard the Boundary Waters. What's especially concerning with the current actions, apart from their detrimental environmental effects, is also the potential impact on unraveling federal rulemaking procedures. It could be devastating to more protected areas nationwide while setting a precedent to bypass traditional, lengthy rulemaking processes that require public input and significant review. And I absolutely agree we need to be good stewards for future generations while recognizing the rights and claims of our Indigenous neighbors to the land they stewarded for generations.