PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Elect representatives in proportion to their support. For example: 5% of votes in district x = 1 seat in the MN House of Representatives, 10% = 2 seats, 15% = 3 seats, etc.)

In 1792 Thomas Jefferson proposed a method for proportional allocation of seats in the  U.S. House of Representatives, almost a century before the Belgium mathematician, Victor D'Hondt, for whom that system is named for (naturally, other slave-owners preferred our "winner-takes-all" system). All other representative governments in developed nations around the world, with the exception of Britain and its former colonies, now use some version of PR. Duverger's law holds that plurality-rule elections (such as winner-takes-all) structured within single-member districts tend to favor a two-party system (This partially explains why Britain and its former colonies, such as the U.S. and Canada, are some of the few nations where third parties struggle. Restrictive ballot access laws are another problem). It is obvious to any impartial viewer that our winner-takes-all system for allocating seats is outdated, polarizing, and does not honestly reflect the values of Minnesotans in the legislature.

GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR 

Include social and environmental factors when making policy decisions and investments.

In 2000 Minnesota almost became the first state to utilize the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) as a supplement to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but lacked the necessary leadership and foresight to enact this more holistic economic model. Since then Vermont, Maryland, Washington, and Hawai'i have passed state government initiatives to consider GPI in budgeting decisions, with a focus on long-term cost and benefits. HF 1662, the most recent Genuine Progress Indicator bill, is currently pending in the House Ways and Means Committee. As your senator, I will co-author the Senate companion bill, SF 1742, and I believe we can get it passed during the next legislative session.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

Publicly fund public elections.

From 2000 to 2016, candidates for Minnesota State Senate District 45 raised nearly half a million dollars. In order to ensure free and fair elections candidates must compete on a level playing field so that voters know that their voices are being heard. Lest we think a plutocracy is acceptable, the Republic should not be for sale to the highest bidders.