Bianca Virnig
Name: Bianca Virnig
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-278-8605
Campaign Website: www.biancavirnig.com
Twitter handle: @BiancaforHouse
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550611067374
Candidate Bio
I am a wife, mother, and advocate. I’ve spent nearly two decades working in state and local government. In 2021, I was elected to serve on the school board in the third largest district in the state, ISD 196 Rosemount–Apple Valley–Eagan. I ran against three extreme conservative candidates and won. I serve on the Budget Advisory Council, Special Ed Advisory Council, Community Ed Advisory Council, and the district Wellness Committee. I also serve on the Deerwood Elementary PTO. By day, I’m the director of health and safety for an educational cooperative where I co-lead an education policy fellowship and oversee a workforce grant focused on supporting school nurses and mental health providers.
I’m a 2022/2023 alumna of the Humphrey Policy Fellow program and the work we did passed legislation that allows schools to bill Medicaid for students on IEPs receiving social work services. I am a first generation college graduate and I have an A.A. from Century College and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota.
I was awarded the Dakota County Public Health Achievement Award in 2021 for my work as the regional COVID coordinator for metro area schools and was recently recognized by the Minnesota School Social Workers Association.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Fully funding education is a top priority but that also includes expanding access to underutilized resources such Medicaid. We need to remove barriers and streamline access to those funds, so we aren’t leaving dollars on the table. Schools need more mental health resources, the school nurse ratio needs to be modernized, and there are some needed changes to the Long Term Facilities Maintenance funding. And, we have a workforce shortage from the classroom to the boiler room. In order to provide high quality education, more must be done to support the workforce across all sectors.
One hurdle to working in education or any field is the lack of childcare providers and high cost of childcare. Employers are unable to fill positions because potential employees cannot find childcare and the waitlist for an infant can be over a year in some areas.
The demographics are changing, and we need to do more to support the needs of our community from affordable to transitional housing as well as addressing the transportation needs of a suburban community. I am committed to ensuring safe and healthy communities which include clean air, water and energy as well as creating a community where ALL are welcome.
How would you characterize the business climate in 52B and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues?
As a consumer, the business climate in 52B and surrounding areas seems to be very attractive to new and existing businesses. We have a strong retail and healthcare sector but there is room for improvement. Arts and entertainment is one area we could improve upon. Theater and performance spaces are hard to access or costly therefore organizations are renting space outside of the district. Attracting these types of businesses to our District would build on the vitality of our District and improve the quality of life for our residents.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
The State plays a major role in attracting and retaining jobs through a combination of policies, incentives, and infrastructure investments from schools, to roads, to taxes and border to border broadband. The State should continue to focus on helping more people join or rejoin the workforce in high demand careers, expanding redevelopment grants and improving access to vocational rehab services for people with disabilities. Minnesota could also do a better job of connecting education and business to the SLEDS data as there is an opportunity to marry the data with both industries to better understand the needs and trajectory of students. https://sleds.mn.gov/
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
At the State Legislature we can apply pressure at the federal level to modify requirements allowing work visas for refugees, especially recent arrivals to Minnesota that may be undocumented, could help infuse our workforce. Continuing to pursue the expansion of expungement for marijuana convictions and evaluating and removing the barriers to obtaining various licenses would help. We could invest in professional training programs in new and emerging programs such as green energy, automation and robotics. Investing more in career tech ed and apprenticeships would help as well.
Growing and retaining the workforce is strongly dependent on the quality of life we enjoy in Minnesota. Continued investments in education, healthcare, housing, outdoor recreation, the environment and programs that support our diverse communities will ensure people stay in Minnesota. Having a safe community for our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ friends and family will only strengthen our workforce.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
The key is to ensure that employment-related policies are well-informed, balanced, and considerate of the diverse businesses and industries in the area. To do so requires stakeholder engagement with a wide range of people, including businesses, industry associations, labor unions, workers, and community organizations. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the needs and concerns of various groups. The goal should be to strike a balance between supporting workers, promoting economic growth, and addressing the unique needs of businesses in and around the district. A collaborative and data driven approach is crucial to developing policies that are fair, effective, and responsive to the evolving employment landscape. I think it is important to follow up on policies enacted that impact employment and businesses as well. Meeting with organizations and underrepresented communities to hear the impact and how we can make improvements is important.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
First, it would be important to work with experts in this field to determine the best strategies for addressing public safety concerns including our local police departments. Strategies like community policing programs that encourage police officers to build positive relationships with residents and business owners can help develop trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community. I have heard from many families that training police officers to respond effectively to situations involving individuals with mental health issues or substance abuse problems is essential. Continuing to be proactive in training officers in de-escalation tactics and responding to mental health crises would be good for our community.
Public safety needs to be looked at in a holistic way. We need to invest more in after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and recreational activities to provide opportunities and positive alternatives for at-risk youth, and invest in the resources needed in our community that prevent public safety risks instead of always looking at our response. Finally, I support enacting stricter gun control regulations to reduce the availability of firearms to individuals who may pose a threat to public safety.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Currently, there is no representation from Dakota on the transportation committee. I would like to change that. The pandemic has shown that transportation systems need to be resilient and flexible, able to adjust to changing circumstances while prioritizing sustainability, equity, and public health. This approach should be reflected in transportation planning at local, regional, and national levels. I would connect with stakeholders as well as city and county leaders to better understand the transportation needs and challenges of our district. As people across our district age, we need reliable, accessible transportation systems to allow them to age in place and thrive in our community. To address the realities of climate change we must move away from reliance on fossil fuels and invest in public transportation systems and electric vehicles. I would like to understand best practices to make data driven decisions that support the needs of the community including improving transit to and from the urban core and surrounding suburbs.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
Affordable housing is one of the top issues across our District. With limited housing stock, we have few affordable homes for first time home buyers, and few options for those looking to move on from the home they raised their family in. Expanding affordable housing is going to require a multi-pronged approach that combines financial incentives, regulatory changes and community engagement. Collaboration between government agencies, non profits, and the private sector are essential to achieving these goals. Local strategies may vary but we could learn from communities doing this well and scale those successes to meet our needs. This could include expanding multi-family housing, evaluating zoning regulations and streamlining the environmental survey process. The state should continue to develop and foster relationships with organizations like Dakota County CDA and nonprofits to help improve housing in the district.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
First and foremost, my biggest priority for our state is fully funding our education system. To close our educational disparities we must fully close the cross-subsidy gap, and fund the supports needed across our schools to address the health and mental health needs of our students. We need to invest early in our youngest children, and address the affordability crisis in our child care and early learning system.
One critical component in fully funding our education system is expanding access to underutilized resources such Medicaid. We need to remove barriers and streamline access to those funds, so we aren’t leaving dollars on the table. Currently school districts across our state are leaving millions of dollars untapped because our schools aren’t able to bill for services they currently provide. We need to do a better job braiding funding streams from the Federal to the local level to improve the lives of people across the State, and in 52B.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Encouraging business growth and attracting new businesses can expand the tax base. This can be done through incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and infrastructure improvements that make the area attractive for businesses as well as encouraging property development, particularly in underutilized areas. This can be achieved through zoning changes, public-private partnerships, and redevelopment initiatives.
Continuing to invest in high quality education and workforce development can attract a skilled labor force, making the area more attractive to businesses and families. A well-educated workforce can support high-value industries that pay higher wages and generate more taxes. Public engagement and collaboration with the private sector also play a crucial role in expanding the tax base while benefiting the community as a whole. I’d be open to hearing from you and others as to how we can best approach expanding the district’s tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
The district is fortunate to have two very good public school districts and several good private schools, and yet we have a long way to go to close our educational disparities. As a current School Board member, I see firsthand the opportunity our State has to lead the nation in our educational outcomes. To do so we need to close our educational outcome gaps, improve access to mental health support and eliminate our teaching and staff shortages. Fully funding education to ensure equitable funding for schools in underserved communities to address disparities in educational resources and opportunities would help.
Our education gaps start early, and I will advocate to invest in child care and early learning, invest in the resources for our schools to engage with parents and support our schools to receive the resources needed to provide holistic support to our children. I will also work to create pathways for our students to find the right higher education track for them through our incredible Community and Technical Colleges and institutions of higher education. Additionally, we have to think holistically about how we close gaps in school outcomes. Investing in hyper local healthcare that serves communities where they are at such as school based health to mobile clinics helps address our education disparities, and health disparities. I have seen first hand the positive impact when you braid services such as cultural liaisons and medical services provided at the school for free or low cost.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Minnesota should be an active partner in supporting minority and women owned businesses by enacting policies and legislation that promote diversity and inclusivity in the business environment by encouraging agencies to award a certain percentage of contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses. It’s important for the State and or local government to explain and help targeted businesses apply and understand how to access these contracts.
The state can support these businesses by providing low-interest loans, grants, or loan guarantees. Supporting training and education programs specifically tailored to the needs of minority and women entrepreneurs can help business leaders develop the skills and knowledge necessary for running successful businesses. The State can work to reduce regulatory and bureaucratic barriers that may disproportionately affect minority- and women-owned businesses. Simplifying business licensing and permitting processes can make it easier for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to start and operate businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
One key issue the legislature will need to address that impacts our business community is our growing dependence on minerals and metals to power the green revolution. We will need people at the Capitol that are skilled at consensus building and finding that common ground that leads to balanced and sustainable policies. I am a skilled collaborator, I seek understanding from experts and work hard to bring others alongside priorities that will make a difference. I understand both the nuances of challenging regulatory environments, as well as have the skills to create open, honest and respectful discussions between stakeholders representing many different points of view.
I encourage anyone in the district to visit my website at www.biancavirnig.com and learn more about the issues I care deeply about and learn more about the work I’ve been doing. I want to hear what issues are most important to you. Email me at [email protected] and let’s work together to create a thriving District here locally, and a thriving State.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-278-8605
Campaign Website: www.biancavirnig.com
Twitter handle: @BiancaforHouse
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550611067374
Candidate Bio
I am a wife, mother, and advocate. I’ve spent nearly two decades working in state and local government. In 2021, I was elected to serve on the school board in the third largest district in the state, ISD 196 Rosemount–Apple Valley–Eagan. I ran against three extreme conservative candidates and won. I serve on the Budget Advisory Council, Special Ed Advisory Council, Community Ed Advisory Council, and the district Wellness Committee. I also serve on the Deerwood Elementary PTO. By day, I’m the director of health and safety for an educational cooperative where I co-lead an education policy fellowship and oversee a workforce grant focused on supporting school nurses and mental health providers.
I’m a 2022/2023 alumna of the Humphrey Policy Fellow program and the work we did passed legislation that allows schools to bill Medicaid for students on IEPs receiving social work services. I am a first generation college graduate and I have an A.A. from Century College and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota.
I was awarded the Dakota County Public Health Achievement Award in 2021 for my work as the regional COVID coordinator for metro area schools and was recently recognized by the Minnesota School Social Workers Association.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Fully funding education is a top priority but that also includes expanding access to underutilized resources such Medicaid. We need to remove barriers and streamline access to those funds, so we aren’t leaving dollars on the table. Schools need more mental health resources, the school nurse ratio needs to be modernized, and there are some needed changes to the Long Term Facilities Maintenance funding. And, we have a workforce shortage from the classroom to the boiler room. In order to provide high quality education, more must be done to support the workforce across all sectors.
One hurdle to working in education or any field is the lack of childcare providers and high cost of childcare. Employers are unable to fill positions because potential employees cannot find childcare and the waitlist for an infant can be over a year in some areas.
The demographics are changing, and we need to do more to support the needs of our community from affordable to transitional housing as well as addressing the transportation needs of a suburban community. I am committed to ensuring safe and healthy communities which include clean air, water and energy as well as creating a community where ALL are welcome.
How would you characterize the business climate in 52B and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues?
As a consumer, the business climate in 52B and surrounding areas seems to be very attractive to new and existing businesses. We have a strong retail and healthcare sector but there is room for improvement. Arts and entertainment is one area we could improve upon. Theater and performance spaces are hard to access or costly therefore organizations are renting space outside of the district. Attracting these types of businesses to our District would build on the vitality of our District and improve the quality of life for our residents.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
The State plays a major role in attracting and retaining jobs through a combination of policies, incentives, and infrastructure investments from schools, to roads, to taxes and border to border broadband. The State should continue to focus on helping more people join or rejoin the workforce in high demand careers, expanding redevelopment grants and improving access to vocational rehab services for people with disabilities. Minnesota could also do a better job of connecting education and business to the SLEDS data as there is an opportunity to marry the data with both industries to better understand the needs and trajectory of students. https://sleds.mn.gov/
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
At the State Legislature we can apply pressure at the federal level to modify requirements allowing work visas for refugees, especially recent arrivals to Minnesota that may be undocumented, could help infuse our workforce. Continuing to pursue the expansion of expungement for marijuana convictions and evaluating and removing the barriers to obtaining various licenses would help. We could invest in professional training programs in new and emerging programs such as green energy, automation and robotics. Investing more in career tech ed and apprenticeships would help as well.
Growing and retaining the workforce is strongly dependent on the quality of life we enjoy in Minnesota. Continued investments in education, healthcare, housing, outdoor recreation, the environment and programs that support our diverse communities will ensure people stay in Minnesota. Having a safe community for our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ friends and family will only strengthen our workforce.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
The key is to ensure that employment-related policies are well-informed, balanced, and considerate of the diverse businesses and industries in the area. To do so requires stakeholder engagement with a wide range of people, including businesses, industry associations, labor unions, workers, and community organizations. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the needs and concerns of various groups. The goal should be to strike a balance between supporting workers, promoting economic growth, and addressing the unique needs of businesses in and around the district. A collaborative and data driven approach is crucial to developing policies that are fair, effective, and responsive to the evolving employment landscape. I think it is important to follow up on policies enacted that impact employment and businesses as well. Meeting with organizations and underrepresented communities to hear the impact and how we can make improvements is important.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
First, it would be important to work with experts in this field to determine the best strategies for addressing public safety concerns including our local police departments. Strategies like community policing programs that encourage police officers to build positive relationships with residents and business owners can help develop trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community. I have heard from many families that training police officers to respond effectively to situations involving individuals with mental health issues or substance abuse problems is essential. Continuing to be proactive in training officers in de-escalation tactics and responding to mental health crises would be good for our community.
Public safety needs to be looked at in a holistic way. We need to invest more in after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and recreational activities to provide opportunities and positive alternatives for at-risk youth, and invest in the resources needed in our community that prevent public safety risks instead of always looking at our response. Finally, I support enacting stricter gun control regulations to reduce the availability of firearms to individuals who may pose a threat to public safety.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Currently, there is no representation from Dakota on the transportation committee. I would like to change that. The pandemic has shown that transportation systems need to be resilient and flexible, able to adjust to changing circumstances while prioritizing sustainability, equity, and public health. This approach should be reflected in transportation planning at local, regional, and national levels. I would connect with stakeholders as well as city and county leaders to better understand the transportation needs and challenges of our district. As people across our district age, we need reliable, accessible transportation systems to allow them to age in place and thrive in our community. To address the realities of climate change we must move away from reliance on fossil fuels and invest in public transportation systems and electric vehicles. I would like to understand best practices to make data driven decisions that support the needs of the community including improving transit to and from the urban core and surrounding suburbs.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
Affordable housing is one of the top issues across our District. With limited housing stock, we have few affordable homes for first time home buyers, and few options for those looking to move on from the home they raised their family in. Expanding affordable housing is going to require a multi-pronged approach that combines financial incentives, regulatory changes and community engagement. Collaboration between government agencies, non profits, and the private sector are essential to achieving these goals. Local strategies may vary but we could learn from communities doing this well and scale those successes to meet our needs. This could include expanding multi-family housing, evaluating zoning regulations and streamlining the environmental survey process. The state should continue to develop and foster relationships with organizations like Dakota County CDA and nonprofits to help improve housing in the district.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
First and foremost, my biggest priority for our state is fully funding our education system. To close our educational disparities we must fully close the cross-subsidy gap, and fund the supports needed across our schools to address the health and mental health needs of our students. We need to invest early in our youngest children, and address the affordability crisis in our child care and early learning system.
One critical component in fully funding our education system is expanding access to underutilized resources such Medicaid. We need to remove barriers and streamline access to those funds, so we aren’t leaving dollars on the table. Currently school districts across our state are leaving millions of dollars untapped because our schools aren’t able to bill for services they currently provide. We need to do a better job braiding funding streams from the Federal to the local level to improve the lives of people across the State, and in 52B.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Encouraging business growth and attracting new businesses can expand the tax base. This can be done through incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and infrastructure improvements that make the area attractive for businesses as well as encouraging property development, particularly in underutilized areas. This can be achieved through zoning changes, public-private partnerships, and redevelopment initiatives.
Continuing to invest in high quality education and workforce development can attract a skilled labor force, making the area more attractive to businesses and families. A well-educated workforce can support high-value industries that pay higher wages and generate more taxes. Public engagement and collaboration with the private sector also play a crucial role in expanding the tax base while benefiting the community as a whole. I’d be open to hearing from you and others as to how we can best approach expanding the district’s tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
The district is fortunate to have two very good public school districts and several good private schools, and yet we have a long way to go to close our educational disparities. As a current School Board member, I see firsthand the opportunity our State has to lead the nation in our educational outcomes. To do so we need to close our educational outcome gaps, improve access to mental health support and eliminate our teaching and staff shortages. Fully funding education to ensure equitable funding for schools in underserved communities to address disparities in educational resources and opportunities would help.
Our education gaps start early, and I will advocate to invest in child care and early learning, invest in the resources for our schools to engage with parents and support our schools to receive the resources needed to provide holistic support to our children. I will also work to create pathways for our students to find the right higher education track for them through our incredible Community and Technical Colleges and institutions of higher education. Additionally, we have to think holistically about how we close gaps in school outcomes. Investing in hyper local healthcare that serves communities where they are at such as school based health to mobile clinics helps address our education disparities, and health disparities. I have seen first hand the positive impact when you braid services such as cultural liaisons and medical services provided at the school for free or low cost.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Minnesota should be an active partner in supporting minority and women owned businesses by enacting policies and legislation that promote diversity and inclusivity in the business environment by encouraging agencies to award a certain percentage of contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses. It’s important for the State and or local government to explain and help targeted businesses apply and understand how to access these contracts.
The state can support these businesses by providing low-interest loans, grants, or loan guarantees. Supporting training and education programs specifically tailored to the needs of minority and women entrepreneurs can help business leaders develop the skills and knowledge necessary for running successful businesses. The State can work to reduce regulatory and bureaucratic barriers that may disproportionately affect minority- and women-owned businesses. Simplifying business licensing and permitting processes can make it easier for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to start and operate businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
One key issue the legislature will need to address that impacts our business community is our growing dependence on minerals and metals to power the green revolution. We will need people at the Capitol that are skilled at consensus building and finding that common ground that leads to balanced and sustainable policies. I am a skilled collaborator, I seek understanding from experts and work hard to bring others alongside priorities that will make a difference. I understand both the nuances of challenging regulatory environments, as well as have the skills to create open, honest and respectful discussions between stakeholders representing many different points of view.
I encourage anyone in the district to visit my website at www.biancavirnig.com and learn more about the issues I care deeply about and learn more about the work I’ve been doing. I want to hear what issues are most important to you. Email me at [email protected] and let’s work together to create a thriving District here locally, and a thriving State.