Affordability & Cost of Living: Putting Families First

Families across Minnesota are feeling the squeeze from rising costs driven by new taxes, fees, and regulations out of St. Paul. Whether it’s delivery fees, payroll taxes like Earned Sick and Safe Time or Paid Family Medical Leave, or rules that inflate housing and childcare prices, these hidden burdens make it harder for working people to get ahead—even if they don’t show up on a traditional tax bill.

My Plan:
We’ll make Minnesota affordable again by controlling state spending to curb taxes and fees, while easing the tax load so more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. I’ll work to cut red tape that’s driving up housing and childcare costs, boosting supply and bringing prices down. At the same time, we’ll support small businesses and job creators to grow wages without fueling inflation. This commonsense approach builds a stronger economy, delivers real results for families, and helps everyone in our communities thrive.

Education: Empowering Every Child to Succeed

Every Minnesota child deserves a top-notch education, regardless of their school or zip code. That means bolstering classrooms, backing our teachers, and directing dollars straight to students—without wasting them on bureaucracy or political games in St. Paul.

Our district’s schools shouldn’t be shortchanged compared to others nearby. With over 65 costly mandates piled on by Democrats during their Trifecta control, many districts face budget cuts and teacher layoffs. House Republicans have stepped up to defend family-focused funding, add accountability to oversized state programs, and prioritize resources for local classrooms.

My Plan:
I’ll champion fair, accountable funding that puts our tax dollars where they count—in local schools, supporting teachers and students directly. By fighting wasteful mandates and ensuring equitable resources, we’ll give every child in our community the tools to succeed, building a brighter future for Minnesota families. Education is in my blood.

Crime: Affordable, Safe Communities Start with Common Sense

Our communities’ safety is at serious risk, burdened by rising crime that drains resources and hits families’ pocketbooks hard. As trusted representatives, we must act decisively to rein in violence and put in place safeguards that incentivize local solutions and real accountability—such as funding community-based prevention programs that work hand-in-hand with stronger enforcement.

Yet without real consequences, some criminals will keep choosing chaos over change.

No matter the offense—a major felony or a straightforward misdemeanor—consequences must follow. If we persist in “simply forgiving” offenses like shoplifting or minor assaults, crime rates won’t drop; they’ll climb, leading to more brazen and violent behavior that makes life unaffordable for everyone.

My Plan:
Working hand-in-hand with state and local law enforcement, plus resident prosecutors, I’ll assess the true impact of existing laws on crime trends. How frequently do repeat offenders strike again? This boils down to practical, non-political dialogue focused on evidence, not ideological biases. Crime is crime, and we refuse to compromise without long-term investments in local control that deliver safer, more affordable neighborhoods for all.

Fighting Fraud: Protecting Taxpayers and Those in Need

When billions in taxpayer dollars vanish due to fraud, it’s not just a government headache—it’s a hit to every family’s wallet. This waste drives up taxes, starves essential services, and worsens the cost-of-living crunch for hardworking Minnesotans.

Fraud also hurts the most vulnerable: It pulls resources away from children, seniors, and people with disabilities who count on these programs for food, support, and stability. Poor oversight isn’t abstract—it’s real harm to those who need help the most.

My Plan:
I’ll demand strong oversight with regular audits for high-risk programs to catch fraud early and prevent massive losses. State agencies will be held accountable for every dollar spent, ensuring funds reach the families and individuals these services were meant for—not scammers gaming the system. By restoring transparency and responsibility, we’ll safeguard taxpayer money and protect vital support for our community’s most vulnerable, so no one pays the price for St. Paul’s failures.

Local Government Aid: True Help, Not Hidden Cost-Shifting

Local Government Aid (LGA) was designed to keep property taxes affordable and support essential city services like roads, police, and fire protection. But under current leadership in St. Paul, it’s too often used to mask the state’s failure to fund its own mandates, leaving local homeowners to foot the bill through higher property taxes.

My Plan:
When the state imposes new requirements on cities, counties, and schools, it must provide full, permanent funding upfront. This stops the cost-shifting game, protects local taxpayers, and ensures communities can focus on delivering the services families rely on—without raising taxes just to comply with state rules.