When speaking with my conservative friends, I hear a lot about taxes, the cost of living, and the state of education. As a Democrat, these concerns are something I can agree with, and I’m always so happy to discuss the great things the DFL and our very own Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn have done to impact our wallets and improve education.
For our kids, the DFL passed the monumental READ Act in 2023. READ is based on “evidence-based practice,” or methods that are known to work, and it requires standard curriculum and teachers to be trained in the science of reading. This is already paying off at Monroe Elementary in Brooklyn Park, where 90% of kindergarteners are reading proficiently after implementing similar standards a few years ago. Thanks to READ, we will soon see these same improvements across the state.
For our wallets, Democrats voted “yes” on many laws that help our dollars go further right now. Breakfast and lunch are now included at school, college tuition is eliminated for qualified families, our Minnesota child tax credit is the highest in the nation, and drug costs are capped for seniors. This makes a real difference in everyday budgets.
Importantly, this was all done while balancing future investments. We can’t complain about our house falling apart if we don’t have the sense to maintain, repair, invest, and improve along the way. One improvement the DFL has championed is the Paid Leave Law, which provides up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave from just a 0.44% tax on our paychecks. To many, this is a small and welcomed investment as we think about starting families, caring for loved ones, and managing illnesses.
We need legislators who balance immediate impact with long-term investments, who can realize everyday struggles while working to build a better future. Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn is one of those legislators. She voted in favor of these laws and is endorsed by Education Minnesota, Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Pro-Choice Minnesota, among other organizations. I hope you will join me in voting for her and other Democrats this November!
Katie White, Eden Prairie
Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.