Vision. Values. Victories.
When I was growing up, I didn’t expect to become the first female pro-choice house member to represent my district. When I was a teenager, my parents divorced, and my father stopped paying child support after he lost his job. We were without healthcare insurance. I knew that my family needed me to step up so I got my first job at the nearby unionized Penny’s Supermarket. I helped my family all the way through college, even though I was the first in my family to attend college. As a young mother, we moved to St Paul which became my extended family.
I believe that our city is capable of great things. I envision being able to create a community where every person feels at home in our community, and I recognize that to feel at home, one must first have a home. I envision a community where equity is standard practice, and I realize that to fight for equity one must first have access to food, education, healthcare, and jobs that pay a living wage. I envision a community where every resident feels safe in their homes and public spaces, and I recognize that it is impossible to feel safe when the police and government elevates the safety of some over the lives and rights of others. I envision a community with clean water, beautiful parks, accessible transit, renewable energy, healthcare for all and free Wi-Fi. I invite you to “envision” with me!
Housing
vision
I envision a community where everyone has a safe, affordable home.
VALUES
I understand what it means to not know where you might live. After my parents’ divorce, we were homeless until my grandpa stepped up and paid for the down payment on a small farmhouse in Robbinsdale. Not everyone is lucky enough to have that kind of family support.
Victories
I fought hard for the Senate legislation that I authored to provide funding for the new downtown homeless shelter by Catholic Charities - Higher Ground. I also supported millions in housing infrastructure bonds to build affordable housing throughout the state, because people need to have a home to feel at home.
Reproductive Rights and Universal Healthcare
VISION
I envision a community where every woman controls her own reproductive health and everyone has access to quality, accessible, low cost healthcare and prescription drugs. Our reproductive rights are under attack more than ever and we seem to be moving backward. I will fight to protect those rights for women and families and to ensure that all families have access to healthcare.
VALUES
I grew up before Roe V Wade. I had a friend who drove to Chicago to get an abortion. I, myself, had an abortion while living in California where it was legal. I knew I wasn’t ready to be a parent. I was fortunate that my family was covered by Medical Assistance during my early years. However, as a young adult I worked many jobs that did not include healthcare coverage.
VICTORIES
I’ve been a long-standing supporter of Planned Parenthood & authored legislation protecting patients from harassment by demonstrators outside their clinic. I am an active member of the Minnesota Health Plan Caucus at the legislature which is strategizing on how we can advance the issue.
Workers Rights
VISION
All workers have a right to collectively bargain and should receive family wages, earned sick time, family leave, a secure pension & have a safe workplace.
VALUES
I have a firsthand understanding of the importance of unions. My first job at Penny’s Supermarket was a union job. Because of the union, I made well above minimum wage which was helpful to my family.
Victories
I passed the Women’s Economic Security Act which required equal pay for equivalent work by all state contractors, funded training for women entrepreneurs & in non-traditional careers, required accommodation for pregnant workers and a clean secure space for nursing mothers to pump milk.
Childcare and Education – early education through college
VISION
All children have the right to a culturally appropriate, well rounded education including high quality early education. Childcare should be culturally appropriate and affordable.
VALUES
I was lucky to receive a good elementary and secondary education. I worked my way through college with a scholarship & financial aid. I received a fellowship to attend graduate school. Not all our schools live up to the challenge of giving low-income students a good education. Too many of our children are being left behind.
VICTORIES
I have continuously advocated for St. Paul Public Schools. I passed state funding for all day kindergarten pilots for St. Paul, successfully authored urban and BIPOC teacher programs at St. Thomas, Hamline, Concordia and Metropolitan State Universities, and supported early childhood & childcare subsidy programs. After many years, I succeeded in passing the Minnesota DREAM Act (aka Minnesota Prosperity Act) so immigrant students who attended Minnesota high schools could pay resident college tuition.
COMMUNITY
VISION
We deserve to live in a beautiful community that provides enrichment, the arts, and recreation.
VALUES
I love St. Paul. I live downtown halfway between the Capitol and the river. At the river, I can see the West Side, where I lived for 20 years. From my condo I can see Cathedral Hill and West 7th Street, where I lived for 8 years. I live above the light rail which takes me through the vibrant communities of Summit-University, Frogtown and Midway. I appreciate and enjoy the many opportunities we have to enjoy a variety of art forms. I was a theater major in college and co-founder of a feminist theater.
VICTORIES
I’m proud to say that I’ve been a part of developing the rich infrastructure of our community: the STAR grant program, riverfront development - Harriet Island & Raspberry Island and the riverbanks, the Science Museum, the Children’s Museum, Victoria Theater, state funding for the arts and planning for Re-Connect Rondo.
Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform
VISION
We deserve to live in a community where all of our residents feel safe. This includes communities of color, who deserve to be treated as someone to protect rather than someone from which the city needs to be protected. It also includes safety from gun violence in the home, in schools, and in public places.
VALUES
I come from a rifle owning family, my father was a hunter and my brother is a hunter. However, the easy availability of illegal and legal handguns does not create a safe community but a community where residents fear each other and don’t trust the police.
VICTORIES
I serve on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and have fought hard for criminal justice reforms and police accountability. I was especially proud that my floor amendment to eliminate the statute of limitations on the prosecution of sexual assault passed because no matter how much time passes, survivors of assault still maintain those toxic memories.
Climate Change and Our Environment
VISION
In a few years, the damage to our climate will be irreversible and we will be dealing with more and more extreme weather events. We must accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels, promote more renewable energy, and protect our natural resources - like the Boundary Waters - from harmful mining.
VALUES
Some of my concerns as a young mother were living in a polluted neighborhood – polluted by cars burning leaded gas and by the nearby coal fired power plant. My concerns for the environment and organic food go back to the early 70’s when I chaired the board at Mississippi Market Food Coop.
VICTORIES
I supported funding for the Nature Conservancy & DNR’s tree nursery and acquired funding for Ramsey/Washington County composting plant. I passed legislation to shore up the banks of the Mississippi River with rip rap. I advocated for the closing of the Excel High Bridge coal plant and the closure of the Ethanol Plant.
Infrastructure
VISION
We rely on good roads, safe bridges, convenient transit, and clean water. St Paul, Ramsey County and our numerous non-profits also have infrastructure needs. I support ecologically sustainable infrastructure.
VALUES
I remember when the I35-W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed. Our collapsed bridge headlined newspapers around the world. I’m a strong supporter of transit. I take the bus to the airport and use the Green Line which runs below my downtown apartment building.
VICTORIES
I’m the DFL lead on the Senate Capitol Investment Committee. I was proud to play a significant role in passing an historic $1.8 billion infrastructure bill for our entire state. Importantly for St. Paul, that included $52 million for the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge. Our bonding bill has also funded remodeling at St. Paul College, the new Victoria Theater on University, and planning dollars for Re-Connect Rondo.