LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Economic Growth & Development>>
Jobs are the number one issue in my campaign, but jobs can’t be considered in a vacuum. Issues like health care and retirement benefits go hand in hand with developing a sustainable recovery in Minnesota and a stable community for years to come. There is no silver bullet for creating new and better jobs. It will take cooperation among many levels of government, business and advocacy groups to grow Minnesota’s economy again.

A state task force should be created to bring together business and skilled labor to apply for grants and worker retraining funds, to administer the funds with the assistance of state Jobs and Family Services offices and to get workers retrained for a “21st Century” economy. Josh will use the knowledge he has gained working in The Green Jobs Movement to shape policy that helps retool Minnesota’s economy to create new and sustainable jobs for Minnesota’s future that includes clean energy jobs and the skilled labor needed to do it.

Early Childhood Development & Education>>
Josh fully understands the need for consistent, quality education and care beginning at birth. Minnesota simply can’t afford not to significantly increase investments in early childhood development and care, or to keep leaving so many poor babies and toddlers behind. Many studies show children who participate are school ready, less likely to need special education, more likely to graduate high school and go on to college.

We should provide universal access to early childhood education, make school funding equitable, invest in high-quality teachers, and build safe, well-equipped school buildings for our students. A high-quality education system, from universal preschool to vocational training and affordable higher education, is critical for the states future and can create badly needed jobs now.

Affordable Housing>>
Josh’s goal is to see the state provide for an adequate supply of quality housing for its residents regardless of income levels and/or special needs. In order to further this goal, Josh would like the state to implement an Inclusionary Housing Policy, allocating affordable housing needs to be satisfied by each publicly financed residential development, regardless of location within the City or the price range of housing units.

Community Empowerment>>
Josh looks to encourage and fasilitate true democratic participation of all community members in SD61b especially people of color and renters in the political decision-making process in order to build collective community power.