Kelly Moller
Name: Kelly Moller
Public Office Sought: Minnesota State House of Representatives - District 42A
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-486-8096
Campaign website: [email protected]
Twitter handle: @KellyForUs
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KellyForUs
Candidate Bio
I’m a prosecutor and victim rights advocate, mom with kids in the Mounds View School District, and a resident of Shoreview for over 20 years. I currently represent Arden Hills, Mounds View, and portions of Shoreview and Spring Lake Park. In my first term, over 15 of my bills passed. I’ve connected with thousands of constituents and passed legislation as a result of their concerns. I’ve worked across the aisle to pass bills related to mental health needs of students, justice for survivors of assault, flexibility for people with disabilities, and much more.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Small businesses are crucial to our economy, including in the East Metro. I’ve personally supported numerous small businesses in our community (especially during the pandemic) and have been impressed with the creative ways they have continued to serve our community safely.
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?
Prior to the pandemic, I frequently heard from employers large and small about the workforce shortage. Having a variety of housing stock and greater transit options can help to attract workers. In addition, it’s crucial to make sure our schools are training students for the jobs of the future.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in the east metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Yes, I do support employment-related proposals and am willing to talk to east metro businesses about any of those and work together to address concerns.
What is your strategy to address public safety, transportation, and housing issues?
I have been a prosecutor for 20 years, prosecuting violent felonies and seeking justice for survivors. I’m on the Public Safety Committee, where several of my bills related to sexual assault have passed. We need to recognize that providing public safety and criminal justice system reform are not mutually exclusive. It makes all of us safer if we have a criminal justice system that people trust. In addition, gun violence prevention is crucial in reducing crime.
I introduced a bill to expand the A-line bus rapid transit into our district and will continue to work on more transit options for our community. It benefits businesses when employees have options for getting to work. In addition, many community members want more transit options to be able to shop at businesses in our area. We need a variety of housing options to attract workers to our community. We have a great school district, and many people want to live here.
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?
Two of my priorities are ensuring adequate funding for education, including meeting the mental health needs of our students, and providing better services to people with disabilities.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
The development of the TCAAP land in Arden Hills, which I support, will expand the tax base and bring more businesses to our community.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a member of the House Education Policy Committee, I have supported efforts to expand career and technical education. I would like to see continued and expanded opportunities for the businesses in our area to partner with schools. We also need to ensure that a college education is affordable and that trade schools are accessible. I’ve toured many schools and businesses in our community and always welcome an invitation to tour others!
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Providing grants targeting minority- and women-owned businesses is important and something I supported during the last session.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Helping employees find affordable, quality childcare is critical. Childcare options prior to the pandemic were not great, but now many parents are faced with trying to care for kids at home while also working. Grandparents who are caregivers now face COVID risks in helping care for children.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I welcome hearing from constituents and businesses in my community any time!
Public Office Sought: Minnesota State House of Representatives - District 42A
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-486-8096
Campaign website: [email protected]
Twitter handle: @KellyForUs
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KellyForUs
Candidate Bio
I’m a prosecutor and victim rights advocate, mom with kids in the Mounds View School District, and a resident of Shoreview for over 20 years. I currently represent Arden Hills, Mounds View, and portions of Shoreview and Spring Lake Park. In my first term, over 15 of my bills passed. I’ve connected with thousands of constituents and passed legislation as a result of their concerns. I’ve worked across the aisle to pass bills related to mental health needs of students, justice for survivors of assault, flexibility for people with disabilities, and much more.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Affordable and accessible health care: We passed legislation to reduce prescription drug costs and provide insulin; we need to further reduce drug costs and expand access to other life-saving medication along with more affordable health care.
- Public education: We need to ensure schools have the resources required to meet the needs of all children, including those with disabilities. We also need to do more to address the mental health needs of our students, which were on the rise even before COVID.
- Gun violence prevention: It’s past time to enact common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as universal background checks and red flag laws.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Small businesses are crucial to our economy, including in the East Metro. I’ve personally supported numerous small businesses in our community (especially during the pandemic) and have been impressed with the creative ways they have continued to serve our community safely.
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?
Prior to the pandemic, I frequently heard from employers large and small about the workforce shortage. Having a variety of housing stock and greater transit options can help to attract workers. In addition, it’s crucial to make sure our schools are training students for the jobs of the future.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in the east metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Yes, I do support employment-related proposals and am willing to talk to east metro businesses about any of those and work together to address concerns.
What is your strategy to address public safety, transportation, and housing issues?
I have been a prosecutor for 20 years, prosecuting violent felonies and seeking justice for survivors. I’m on the Public Safety Committee, where several of my bills related to sexual assault have passed. We need to recognize that providing public safety and criminal justice system reform are not mutually exclusive. It makes all of us safer if we have a criminal justice system that people trust. In addition, gun violence prevention is crucial in reducing crime.
I introduced a bill to expand the A-line bus rapid transit into our district and will continue to work on more transit options for our community. It benefits businesses when employees have options for getting to work. In addition, many community members want more transit options to be able to shop at businesses in our area. We need a variety of housing options to attract workers to our community. We have a great school district, and many people want to live here.
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?
Two of my priorities are ensuring adequate funding for education, including meeting the mental health needs of our students, and providing better services to people with disabilities.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
The development of the TCAAP land in Arden Hills, which I support, will expand the tax base and bring more businesses to our community.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a member of the House Education Policy Committee, I have supported efforts to expand career and technical education. I would like to see continued and expanded opportunities for the businesses in our area to partner with schools. We also need to ensure that a college education is affordable and that trade schools are accessible. I’ve toured many schools and businesses in our community and always welcome an invitation to tour others!
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Providing grants targeting minority- and women-owned businesses is important and something I supported during the last session.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Helping employees find affordable, quality childcare is critical. Childcare options prior to the pandemic were not great, but now many parents are faced with trying to care for kids at home while also working. Grandparents who are caregivers now face COVID risks in helping care for children.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I welcome hearing from constituents and businesses in my community any time!