Vision: We build a fair, resilient economy where people, workers, and local business owners have opportunities to thrive.

I come from a family of small business owners and grew up with a deep understanding of the range of challenges they face. I also saw what it means to treat and compensate workers fairly and contrast that to when I worked at a fast food restaurant for minimum wage. As industries and jobs grow, our State can do more to incentivize family-supporting jobs, protect workers, and make it easier for entrepreneurs and local businesses’ ability to thrive, because they contribute to our community connections, charm, and make our neighborhoods unique destinations.
We must:
  •  Local economy revitalization: This district’s local economy is hurting due to road reconstruction and economic downturn post-COVID. I have a novel approach to supporting small businesses during required road reconstruction, baking funds into road projects so small, independent and minority businesses from Minneapolis to Moorhead can survive basic infrastructure maintenance. I also want to champion Downtown revitalization to make it a livable place with more places to live, to support sustainable population growth and grow our city’s tax base. 

  • Protect our most vulnerable workers and ensure they have livable wages. I’ve also spoken to too many workers, particularly undocumented workers and workers of color, who have been exploited, not received wages or have received unfair wages. I support stronger labor standard enforcement to protect worker safety and fair pay.  We also need to fairly compensate our teachers, first responders, and nurses that are the fabric of our communities, and identify structural barriers to doing so.

  • Support fair scheduling practices that will allow Minnesotans to plan their days and weeks, anticipate their income, take leave as needed, and balance work and life.

  • Add surcharge transparency in hospitality. We're seeing a welcome shift away from inequitable tipping models that historically hindered back of house workers. All workers deserve assurance that surcharges stated as supporting wages and benefits are transparently doing so.  The new Junk Fees Law will help, and as new models of compensation are developed, workers should be at the table.

  • Increase our statewide minimum wage. Our city has led the way by setting a nearly $16 minimum wage, but statewide workers are only guaranteed $8-$10 an hour adjusted for inflation, which is insufficient.

  • Strengthen job training opportunities by breaking down barriers. Our education and job training centers should address the needs of our community. I support increased partnerships with community groups to improve representation and cultural awareness in training program offerings. 

  • Support economic development in our district to achieve thriving business nodes.  I will champion a grant program for our district that will allow our small businesses to stay afloat during road reconstructions, so we can make the necessary improvements to our streets while keeping businesses intact. 

  • Foster thriving cities and towns.  In our district, this looks like leading measures that allow for a vibrant and active downtown, including office to residential conversions. There is more our State can do to encourage more effective use of our vacant retail spaces everywhere. I support piloting a land value tax in downtown to encourage development, bring more spaces and uses for more people, and make our city a vibrant, safe place for everyone. 
 
  • Must create a fair, competitive marketplace. For a more just and resilient economy in Minnesota, our State must address corporate consolidation that prevents consumers and small business owners from participating in a fair, competitive marketplace. To do this, we must advance anti-trust and anti-monopoly legislation to remove unchecked advantages of a small few from dominating our economy.
 
  • Support collective bargaining. Union organizing protects workers from exploitation, increases wages and benefits, and improves the lives of all workers, even those who are not part of a union. I will fight to protect and expand workers’ rights to collectively bargain, in both the public and private sectors. 
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  • Invest in transit as reliable, accessible commute options. 1 in 3 residents cannot or do not drive due to ability, age, cost, and/or choice. For our community to thrive, we need fast, reliable transit options. Leadership from this district has been some of the Legislature’s most effective to improve transit. I will build on this legacy.  I will work to scale our cost-effective and accessible bus rapid transit system on major corridors and improve service on our local bus routes.