Stability for the Working Class

This is a question I received from a Faribault voter.

Q: What do you mean by “stability for the working class?” Is that just a campaign slogan?

A: Great question! I totally get your skepticism-- snappy summaries can sound like empty platitudes.

I believe that one of the main functions of government is to provide stability, especially at the local level. Rather than emphasizing the concerns currently addressed by local leadership, I want our representatives to be committed to the working class. This means ensuring stability; economic stability, resource stability, and political stability.

How is this accomplished? By changing how we engage with issues. I have concrete plans to increase civic participation and awareness of how local government affects the working class. The people have the power to shape their own communities-- they just need to know how to exercise their power.

Starting day one, the methods of engaging with the community will change on the Rice County Board of Commissioners. I can begin to make that change even without a majority vote from the other commissioners.

Economic and resource stability is a major challenge that will require a multidisciplinary approach. The first and biggest thing to do is change the thought process of who we are there to serve: not just the status quo, not just the people already engaged, but everyone in the community. That means we need to reweigh the scales when it comes to decision-making. The working class, everyday people, should be our first priority.

I have specific thoughts on what we might do to increase stability-- cut administrative costs by reducing means testing for county programs, codifying right to attorney in eviction court, investing in emergency housing and mental health resources-- but the biggest challenge will be the first challenge: shifting the conversation to focus on the concerns of the working class.

Thank you for your question. Don't hesitate to reach out with more. Detailed thoughts on some of these policies can be found in the videos above. I'm also working on increasing the information on my website, so folks can better understand where I am on the issues. Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to address.