Working Together for All Minnesotans
I know that I represent everyone in my district – not just the folks who voted for me. In a swing district, that can be a difficult line to walk. But I am proud of my efforts to work across the aisle and gain bipartisan support for my bills. In fact, during the 2023 session, I was the only Senator pass a bill off the floor with every single Senator in the chamber voting yes. With hard work, I have continued to draft and pass bipartisan legislation with full Senate support. Working together on good ideas is important to me because in the end, it’s about making life better for all Minnesotans.
Cutting Costs
I heard the concerns of my constituents over rising costs, and I did something about it. I cut Social Security taxes ensuring the vast majority of our seniors pay NO state tax on Social Security. I voted for the largest tax cut in state history, and I enacted much-needed property tax relief and vehicle tab fee reductions. These are common-sense priorities I was proud to support. And I will continue to deliver for hard-working Minnesotans by enacting tax cuts, reigning in spending, and supporting small businesses.
Supporting our Public Safety Partners
As a firefighter-paramedic, I work on the front lines of public safety and have seen first-hand the benefits of strong public safety partners. In the Senate I helped deliver $300M in public safety aid to every city, county, and Tribal Nation in the State. I bolstered police and fire pensions ensuring those who protect us are able to retire with dignity. And I led the fight for the biggest aid package for EMS in state history, ensuring everyone in Minnesota has access to high-quality emergency medical care, no matter their zip code.
Ensuring Clean Water for Generations to Come
I was proud to carry the bill which eventually became Amara’s Law and which imposes the strictest standards in the nation with regard to PFAS pollution. These “forever chemicals” have polluted water sources up and down my district and I know all too well the fear of living with PFAS contamination. You see, my own well is contaminated, requiring our family’s water to be filtered.
I also fought for funding to ensure ALL residents in my district have clean water. I secured over $17M in bonding relief for Hastings’ water treatment project, helped cities qualify for millions in funding from the Emerging Contaminants fund, and with my help, ensured Hastings was able to secure over $12M in 3M settlement funds without harming surrounding communities in my district who rely on those funds.
Protecting Taxpayer Dollars
I heard loud and clear how fraud has shaken everyone’s confidence in government. Accountability and oversight matter. That’s why I worked hard to enact legislation to combat fraud and strengthen program integrity across the board. I chief-authored a clone of the bill establishing the Office of Inspector General to make sure this important legislation got across the finish line. I rejected spending bills that lacked appropriate safeguards, and I pushed back on awarding state dollars to unvetted non-profits. I will continue to fight to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and that fraudsters are held accountable.
Delivering for Veterans
My husband, Mike, retired after 31 years of service in the Navy. We are a military family and I know the sacrifice that comes with military service. I’m proud of his service to our country, and of the service of Minnesota’s 400,000 veterans. As your Senator I supported the largest investment in military affairs in state history, and expanded benefits for veterans and their families. I will continue to deliver for military service members, veterans, and their families.