Partisanship

In recent years, we've watched extreme partisanship needlessly bind the hands of many of our current legislators. The result has been:

• government shutdown
• $2 billion in new property taxes
• $1 billion in new fees
• Minnesota's credit rating downgraded
• schools in fiscal crisis with rising class sizes
• college tuition up 55%
• soaring health care premiums
• thousands thrown off health insurance

These are real challenges that we must face together. It doesn't matter where the good ideas come from: Republicans, Democrats or Independents. I am committed to finding common ground and allies from all parties to create sensible legislation that benefits our children, families and businesses.

Education

As a mother, taxpayer, and local teacher, I recognize that education is essential for a healthy and vibrant Minnesota economy. We must work together for:

• smaller class sizes so that children receive the individual attention they need from their teachers
• local control without unreasonable mandates or gimmicks like the so-called "70 percent solution"
• sensible education funding from early childhood through high school to help every child succeed
• control of soaring college tuition costs

Health Care

Skyrocketing health care costs are serious threats to Woodbury families and businesses. It's essential that we work together to:

• ensure affordable, quality care for families and businesses
• control the costs of prescription drugs
• establish a comprehensive patient bill of rights that assures that you and your doctor--not HMO bureaucrats--make your medical decisions
• protect the privacy of your medical information

Transportation

Woodbury is a city of commuters and businesses that rely heavily on our transportation infrastructure. We need to work together to:

• improve our roadways to accommodate the increasing traffic load
• explore alternative forms of mass transit
• avoid long-term borrowing to pay for short-term projects
• find a stable, sensible source of funding for ongoing transportation needs