Kelash for Minnesota State Senate - A Senator for All the People of SD63

Jobs
Jobs in Minnesota are my first priority. Minnesota is a leader in the research and innovation in growth industries like alternative energy, green technology, medical devices and healthcare. Minnesota can develop these jobs if we have the foresight to invest in moving research to product development, the education of the workforce and the infrastructure required to be competitive in the global economy.

The State’s economy will not recover until more Minnesotans are back to work. The State of Minnesota’s great credit rating, available lower interest rates, lower construction bids and a back load of maintenance projects on the State’s buildings, roads and bridges make this a great time to invest in our infrastructure to create jobs. Taxpayers save money on the project’s construction bids; we create good jobs and save taxpayer’s money on reduced energy costs in future budgets.

Economic Development
It is what has set this “Cold Weather State” apart from the others in the upper Midwest and has served as the economic engine that has brought 21 Fortune 500 companies to our state—the most per capita in the nation. Minnesota is known for the quality of our educated workforce, our research and innovations and the quality of our cultural and outdoor heritage. This attracts many of the best and the brightest minds to our community.

Education K-12 Education
We need to maintain our funding for K-12 education and invest more in Early Childhood education. The earlier we reach a child and instill a love of learning the fewer problems the child will have and our community will have.

Local Foods
“Local Foods” is an issue that resonates in every part of the State. It is not just about farmers markets and food Co-ops, it is about better nutrition in our schools, tax dollars spent for meals in our public institutions recirculation in the community, opportunities for small business to grow and community assessments of their strengths to develop.

Our state has a rich history of agriculture research and food production. Every district in the State has the potential to expand their local food production and/or improve the quality of food available in their community.

Transportation
We need to prioritize the maintenance and upgrades of our existing transportation infrastructure. That should include new modes of affordable public transportation, including light rail on the 494/694 corridor and high speed trains to our regional cities. 

Health Care
Health care needs to include everyone.  We need to find cost savings in the delivery and administration of healthcare. The States are taking the lead on Healthcare because the Federal Government has dropped the ball. 

Energy
The energy crisis needs government leadership to jumpstart the green technology for future needs.  Communities need help to make their buildings and fleets more energy efficient. Wind farms are great, but we need to generate more energy near our homes and businesses with wind and solar technologies developed for this urban environment.

At a very early age, I learned that if I make a mess, I better clean it up.  That is how I view environmental cleanup.  If a business is producing waste as a by-product of their manufacturing process, safely disposing that waste is part of the cost of production.  We also need to reduce our carbon footprint, recycle more of our waste and develop alternatives to fossil fuel.

Taxes
I grew up in Richfield, at a time when large families were common and one income was enough to make ends meet. The community had enough revenue to build new schools, freeways, bridges, and city water and sewer systems to prepare for a growing population. The university system expanded, Community colleges were built and the tuition didn’t limit access to education. The educated workforce that came out of these investments helped Minnesota become a leader in healthcare, computer science, agriculture and more. For thirty years our unemployment rate was consistently lower than the national rate.

Minnesota’s progressive tax policies helped make all those investments possible. We need to return to the days when those that could afford to pay more taxes, pay more to support Minnesota’s quality of life.

Pro-Choice
I support a woman’s freedom to choose whether she wishes to have a child. I will not support any restrictions on that right.

Same Sex Marriage
It is not up to the Government to decide what forms the pursuit of happiness should be for individuals. Same sex marriage is an equal rights issue. The State should recognize these unions. Sexual preference should not lead to reduced access to partner benefit rights and discrimination.