Paul’s Agenda
Better. Together.
In this campaign, we are going to build a better offer – together. In this time of chaos and cruelty on the national level, it is not enough to resist the rise in authoritarianism, we must also offer an alternative – a better offer. In the coming months, I will ask your ideas to create a better offer. In the meantime, I will share with you some of the values I bring into this campaign.
Standing up for Immigrants - Standing Up to ICE’s OVERREACH
ICE’s untrained occupying force is harming our neighbors and tearing at the fabric of our community. ICE needs to leave now. As a legislative staffer, I worked with our immigrant neighbors to protect their rights, secure driver’s licenses for all, and expand immigrant health care. When ICE began Operation Metro Surge, I hosted 5 community gatherings with over 500 people to ensure people knew their rights and how to provide mutual aid. As your Senator, I will demand that Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s killings are investigated, ensure the constitutional rights of Minnesotans are protected, and work to hold the federal government accountable.
Affording your Life
As your Senator, I will be relentless in ensuring all Minnesotans can afford their lives. Housing, child care, health care, and rising grocery costs are bankrupting our families. As our State Senator, I’ll work with anyone and everyone – including workers and employers – to ensure that all those who work hard are treated fairly, earn a living wage, have the security they need to care for their families, and provided the resources they need to succeed. We can do more to partner with our local units of government to release the pressure on property taxes.
STANDING UP TO CORPORATE BULLIES
Big corporations and billionaires have concentrated immense wealth and power, while working people have seen their wages remain flat, costs rise and economic insecurity increase. I will ask the rich to pay their fair share and work to reduce the pressure on local property tax. I will propose both a MN based anti-monopoly commission and a state-based consumer protection bureau. I will not shy away from fighting the billionaire class.
CLEAN WATER, LAND, and AIR for generations to come
Environmental pollution and climate change are global threats that impact the health and resilience of Minnesota communities, our environment, and our natural resources. We must fight to ensure our state is a healthy and sustainable place to live for generations to come by taking an active role in preventing mining in the boundary waters, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals like PFAS, decreasing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, and transitioning to an equitable clean energy future for everyone in our state. As our State Senator, I won’t rest until everyone in our community has safe water to drink, clean air to breathe, and a better clean energy future for ourselves and the next generation. I am opposed to mining in or near the boundary waters and I have the record to back up my record on clean water. In Gov. Dayton’s Administration, I was one of the chief defenders at the legislature of Dayton’s buffer law which protected lakes, rivers, and streams from dangerous runoff. Even through vicious attacks on me, I never gave up on ensuring our lakes and streams were defended.
Strong, High Achieving, Fully Funded Public Schools
Strong public schools are the bedrock of our community and the lifeblood of our economy. Every Minnesota child deserves high quality public education, regardless of who they are and where they are from. When our state doesn’t fund our schools adequately, local leaders are left to pick up the pieces and ask working families to fund schools through higher property taxes. Our students deserve better from our state leaders. That’s why as our State Senator, I’ll work with parents, educators, and community members to give all kids the world-class education they need.
Safety and Economic Security for Workers and their Families
As the son of a local labor leader, I will do everything I can to support safe working conditions, worker protections, and fair pay and benefits. Big corporations and billionaires have concentrated immense wealth and power, while working people have seen their wages remain flat, costs rise and economic insecurity increase. We must make investments that create economic opportunity and stand with workers as the press for better wages and working conditions. As our State Senator, I’ll work with anyone and everyone – including workers and employers – to ensure that all those who work hard are treated fairly, earn a living wage, and have the security they need to care for their families. And I will take every step to lower costs for families by standing up to billionaires to unrig the economy and by supporting young families by funding child care and pre-kindergarten programs.
Equity and Justice
We need to build a Minnesota where everyone thrives, with no exceptions. To get there we must actively address the inequities and disparities we face as a state. Minnesota has some of the largest achievement gaps in the nation. We can and must do better. As our State Senator, I will take on these tough and persistent issues. I’ll listen carefully to all of our communities and collaborate on innovative solutions to make Minnesota a place where everyone can achieve their highest aspirations.
Better Health Outcomes for All
Health care is a right, and not a privilege for only those that can afford it. However, basic healthcare is too often inaccessible and unaffordable for many Minnesota families and the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities of our already broken public health and healthcare system. As our State Senator, I will work to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans.
