There are many issues facing our rural communities. My priorities are working for the communities that I would represent and not corporations and special interests. Here are the issues that I am hearing about when I talk to the people of our district.
If you have concerns or other issues I should be looking into, email me at: MeymanforMN@gmail.com
Affordability
With prices at the gas station and grocery store rising every week, our family budgets are being stretched too thin. We need to do what we can at the state level to ease the financial pressure that our communities are under. This includes looking at how we can reduce tax burdens on families and farmers, and making sure that laborers and farmers are being paid fairly for their work.
Healthcare
Recent cuts to medical programs at the national level leave our rural communities with medical facility closures and loss of medical services in our areas. Our state needs to make up the difference to make sure that our people have access to the medical care they need. We also need to make sure that the employees of nursing homes and assisted living facilities are being paid fairly for the important jobs that they do.
Education
Rural schools are often underfunded when compared to similar school in more populated areas because school funding is tied to local taxes. I want to ensure that every student in the state has access to the same level of education and equal opportunity for success by looking into ways to more equally fund our schools. We also need to give more support to vocational schools and schools for technical trades.
Environmental Concerns
We need to ensure that the forestlands and waterways of our beautiful state are kept pristine for future generations to enjoy. This includes keeping datacenters out of our state, keeping corporations from pillaging our natural resources, and going after polluters. This includes protecting the Boundary Waters from mining pollution.
Farming
Minnesota farmers have been hit hard by skyrocketing prices for fuel and fertilizer, bankruptcy rates for Minnesota farmers has doubled from last year. At the same time, out-of-state corporations are trying to buy up our farmland while farmers are in peril. We need to alleviate the financial strain on farmers by making sure they are getting fair rates for their work. I would also look into reducing property taxes on farmland owned by local farmers, not for corporations.
Getting Big Money out of Government
The government should represent the people of the state and not corporations. We need to get big money out of elections so the people have a stronger voice in government. I would support legislation in Minnesota to counter Citizens United, drastically limiting the amount of influence that big money would have in our elections.