Candidate's Viewpoint: Stronger schools are name of the game for economy, jobs

I have spent the past several months on the campaign trail engaging with members of our community and I have found that many of our concerns are the same. We need a quality education system, we need job creation, investment in infrastructure, and above all else, we need to end the partisan gridlock at the Capitol.

This is why I’m running to represent our community. My husband Joe and I moved to Woodbury in 1974 because we loved the area — the schools, the quality of life, the job opportunities. We raised our children here, Joe worked at 3M, and I was an executive in real estate, was president of the South Washington County Youth Service Bureau, and worked to pass two local school referenda for much needed building improvements.

I believe we can work towards real solutions to our state’s problems, and that’s what I intend to do. I am a successful business woman and former educator, and I will work across the aisle to help small businesses and working families.

Great schools have always been what moves Minnesota forward. I am committed to investing in our children and therefore our state’s future. The school shift, which borrowed over $2 billion from schools this past session, is inexcusable. We cannot expect student success with this type of irresponsible budgeting, and I plan to pay it back if I’m elected.

We can grow our economy through better schools. I support expanding vocational training and internship opportunities to build job skills among our youth, our veterans, and the unemployed. We can and will prepare our students for 21st century jobs.

Since retiring from 3M, my husband Joe has become a small hi-tech business owner. High tech jobs in renewable energy, clean tech, conservation, and biofuels are leading sectors for job growth in Minnesota. I support initiatives to grow these jobs here in our state. My experience in the private sector has taught me that businesses need an incentive to hire and retain new workers, and I will pursue these incentives to get people working again. I will work tirelessly to create lasting, good paying jobs and support policies that encourage growth and innovation.

It has been a pleasure getting to know so many neighbors in the past few months, and I look forward to hearing from more of you as we move closer to Election Day.

Ward is the Democratic candidate running for House District 53A

Tags: opinion, viewpoint, elections, updates