Jobs

Minnesota could have the jobs that are leading the way into the 21st century – not just science and technology jobs, but well-paying jobs in all the businesses that develop and grow in support of a world-class industry. The next four years will bring new challenges to Minnesota’s economy – but unparalleled opportunities if we are prepared to make bold and smart decisions. (read more)

Taxes

An economic strategy that builds on our innovation and makes Minnesota the knowledge state… that gives cutting-edge industries in life sciences, energy and technology the tools and talent to grow while we reinvigorate the state’s traditional job-generators in natural resources, retail, financial services, hospitality and other areas…will require, tax reform – not just cutting here or raising there – but a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to tax policy that removes the barriers to job creation, looks thoughtfully at all the tax expenditures – the deductions, credits and special breaks – and raises revenue in ways that are fair and appropriate to today’s economy. (read more)

Making Government Work Better

Reducing government spending and paying only for those programs that have demonstrated value is essential. Everyone’s expectations of government needs to change — not every problem has a government solution and not every government program deserves a permanent lifeline. We need to set priorities, fund them adequately and get rid of those programs that aren’t working. As Minnesotans, we also want a government that does well what it should do…and a government that helps people at the times of their lives when they are most vulnerable. (read more)

Education

We need a new approach to education. Measure progress by what a child knows, not by what can get done in a six-hour day or nine-month school year. This reform will require more site-based control, ever-learning teachers, greater investments in online learning (in and out of the classroom) and, yes, flexibility from the unions. (read more)

Health Care

We have a generation of kids who are at risk of growing up poorer, less healthy and less educated than their parents. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Political, business and health leaders can set about the task of taking federal legislation that embodies important principles – not least of which is that all Americans should have access to health care – and use our Minnesota creativity and innovation to make it better.

Smart public policy that will build a bridge to the federal reforms, not by punishing the poor or shifting costs to providers or the insured, but by restructuring the health care system. We need policymakers who will work with Minnesota’s innovative health leaders to build reform on evidence, not ideology. And, we need a governor who is willing and able to use the bully pulpit to have honest conversations with Minnesotans about the challenges, the opportunities and the solutions.

The fact is, health care reform will demand changes from everyone – consumers, providers, insurers and government. But we will never get there if the only debate from policymakers is over who’s right rather than what’s right.