Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger
Name: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-770-7414
Campaign Website: www.amandaformnhouse.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/amandaformnhouse
Candidate Bio
I have a unique blend of education and experience in laboratory science and policy, which allows me to evaluate any policies fully and comprehensively before voting to implement them. I am a passionate person who listens to understand. I believe in bringing people together, gathering as much information and perspectives as possible, and leading with community input to make the best policy decision together. As the daughter of a small business owner, I know that small and family owned businesses drive the local economy. As a legislator, I will continue to keep this in mind as I advocate for working families.
I was proud to be a part of Minnesota's most historic session in history! We protected human and reproductive rights, set real goals to address climate change, made transformational change for education and public safety, expanded healthcare access, funded school meals for all kids, and enacted a child tax credit that cut childhood poverty by one-third. I was also able to author bills that directly affected people in my district by protecting their genetic information with direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, authored funding support for Central Park, and stopping homeowner associations (HOAs) from banning solar panels on homes.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My three priorities relate to the values of the community I represent. I want to begin to fix our broken healthcare system. Too often we hear of affordable healthcare being out of reach and families postponing critical diagnoses while insurance companies continue to see record profits. Second, we need to make sure that families have access to quality child care, no matter their background, income, or zip code so that we can help parents fully participate in the workforce. Lastly, we must utilize a comprehensive, ecosystem mindset when enacting policies to ensure we consider unintended consequences and are aware of potential externalities.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
Especially in my community of Woodbury, I see business and residential areas expanding. It is very exciting to consistently see news of small business ribbon cuttings and large businesses opening, signaling a growth in our business economy. Businesses can be an example in supporting quality of life issues in the East Metro. For example, supporting public transit so people can easily get to work, or offering competitive wages so employees can live within the community they work. By businesses offering robust benefits, their employees can remain healthier to be able to perform the work. Finally, businesses can provide a valuable partnership with community organizations to keep city and elected officials apprised of our community’s overall health and growth.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
important that I seek out feedback from those who are experts in their trade or field so that I better understand perspectives. The 2023-2024 sessions were an opportunity to re-invest in education, housing, and the workforce after years of neglect. Our community is expecting change in how we interact with businesses as customers and workers. As a legislator, I would continue to support policies that provide state-funded social safety net benefits like paid family/medical leave and earned sick and safe time to lessen the burden on business owners. We can continue to work together to maintain or increase our ranking of the 6th best state in the country for business.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
As a legislator, I would intentionally engage with employers to creatively identify solutions to help businesses. I would also support policies that provide resources for education and training opportunities to engage more people into the workforce.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, 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?
I am excited that policies like paid family/medical leave (PFML) and earned sick and safe time will allow employees the ability to care for themselves or their loved ones without fear of losing their job. Because it is a state-run program, I am excited that business owners can also take part in PFML to lessen the impact should a medical emergency happen to them. These mechanisms allow for a healthier and more loyal workforce, and are a powerful retention tool.
Extensive edits and consideration for micro-businesses occurred in 2023, much of which due to advocacy from legislative colleagues who are also small business owners. As with any new program, we will discover pieces that need adjustment, and I am prepared to consider as needed. I look forward to continuing to learn how the program is impacting people in my community.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Being a scientist, I support data-driven and evidence based approaches to problem solving. Addressing public safety concerns is complex, and will take policies from multiple angles to address it. I am proud of the work we did last biennium to address catalytic converter thefts and allocating $300 million to local public safety agencies to address their community’s need. I also appreciated the opportunity to work with the Woodbury Police Department to enact disclosures and a refund period to better protect our senior citizens from cryptocurrency scams. I will continue to enhance my relationship with my community’s public safety agencies to collaboratively develop solutions. We must support our public safety departments while ensuring that all who call Maplewood and Woodbury home feel safe in their community.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Transportation is about moving people from place to place, whether it be for employment, health appointments, education, or leisure. My time on the MetroTransit Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Community and Business Advisory Committee has given me the experience and knowledge on how the State of Minnesota is already taking actions to make our community accessible by public transportation. My time on the Met Council Transportation Advisory Board has shown me how we must collaborate as a metropolitan region for an efficient and effective transportation system. As a legislator, I continue this work and advocate for similar, sustainable ways to get around.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to continue to build upon the work from the 2023-2024 legislative sessions. Despite the massive investment in housing, there is more work to do to make sure every person has a place to call home. I will continue to look to research, experts, and successes in other states to comprehensively develop a model that would work in Minnesota with adequate funding to effectively implement. Part of this research includes thinking creatively of barriers to keep home prices down, like unreasonable ordinances or homeowner association (HOA) bylaws. I will also intentionally engage with community businesses, officials, and organizations to fully understand the symptoms (e.g. housing) vs. root causes (e.g. unsafe home, poverty, etc.) of the issue(s) to pass policy to effectively solve the problem.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
The state’s budget priorities are a reflection of our values. To advocate for Minnesota’s working families, my priorities include fixing our broken healthcare system, looking at ways to make child care more affordable, and continuing to address barriers to implement our plan for carbon-free electricity by 2040. As I review monthly state forecasted revenues vs. observed, I am happy to see that observed revenues continue to outpace forecasted revenues. The state must appropriate its budget to adequately fund the services that Minnesotans need and rely on for their daily lives.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-770-7414
Campaign Website: www.amandaformnhouse.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/amandaformnhouse
Candidate Bio
I have a unique blend of education and experience in laboratory science and policy, which allows me to evaluate any policies fully and comprehensively before voting to implement them. I am a passionate person who listens to understand. I believe in bringing people together, gathering as much information and perspectives as possible, and leading with community input to make the best policy decision together. As the daughter of a small business owner, I know that small and family owned businesses drive the local economy. As a legislator, I will continue to keep this in mind as I advocate for working families.
I was proud to be a part of Minnesota's most historic session in history! We protected human and reproductive rights, set real goals to address climate change, made transformational change for education and public safety, expanded healthcare access, funded school meals for all kids, and enacted a child tax credit that cut childhood poverty by one-third. I was also able to author bills that directly affected people in my district by protecting their genetic information with direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, authored funding support for Central Park, and stopping homeowner associations (HOAs) from banning solar panels on homes.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My three priorities relate to the values of the community I represent. I want to begin to fix our broken healthcare system. Too often we hear of affordable healthcare being out of reach and families postponing critical diagnoses while insurance companies continue to see record profits. Second, we need to make sure that families have access to quality child care, no matter their background, income, or zip code so that we can help parents fully participate in the workforce. Lastly, we must utilize a comprehensive, ecosystem mindset when enacting policies to ensure we consider unintended consequences and are aware of potential externalities.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
Especially in my community of Woodbury, I see business and residential areas expanding. It is very exciting to consistently see news of small business ribbon cuttings and large businesses opening, signaling a growth in our business economy. Businesses can be an example in supporting quality of life issues in the East Metro. For example, supporting public transit so people can easily get to work, or offering competitive wages so employees can live within the community they work. By businesses offering robust benefits, their employees can remain healthier to be able to perform the work. Finally, businesses can provide a valuable partnership with community organizations to keep city and elected officials apprised of our community’s overall health and growth.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
important that I seek out feedback from those who are experts in their trade or field so that I better understand perspectives. The 2023-2024 sessions were an opportunity to re-invest in education, housing, and the workforce after years of neglect. Our community is expecting change in how we interact with businesses as customers and workers. As a legislator, I would continue to support policies that provide state-funded social safety net benefits like paid family/medical leave and earned sick and safe time to lessen the burden on business owners. We can continue to work together to maintain or increase our ranking of the 6th best state in the country for business.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
As a legislator, I would intentionally engage with employers to creatively identify solutions to help businesses. I would also support policies that provide resources for education and training opportunities to engage more people into the workforce.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, 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?
I am excited that policies like paid family/medical leave (PFML) and earned sick and safe time will allow employees the ability to care for themselves or their loved ones without fear of losing their job. Because it is a state-run program, I am excited that business owners can also take part in PFML to lessen the impact should a medical emergency happen to them. These mechanisms allow for a healthier and more loyal workforce, and are a powerful retention tool.
Extensive edits and consideration for micro-businesses occurred in 2023, much of which due to advocacy from legislative colleagues who are also small business owners. As with any new program, we will discover pieces that need adjustment, and I am prepared to consider as needed. I look forward to continuing to learn how the program is impacting people in my community.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Being a scientist, I support data-driven and evidence based approaches to problem solving. Addressing public safety concerns is complex, and will take policies from multiple angles to address it. I am proud of the work we did last biennium to address catalytic converter thefts and allocating $300 million to local public safety agencies to address their community’s need. I also appreciated the opportunity to work with the Woodbury Police Department to enact disclosures and a refund period to better protect our senior citizens from cryptocurrency scams. I will continue to enhance my relationship with my community’s public safety agencies to collaboratively develop solutions. We must support our public safety departments while ensuring that all who call Maplewood and Woodbury home feel safe in their community.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Transportation is about moving people from place to place, whether it be for employment, health appointments, education, or leisure. My time on the MetroTransit Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Community and Business Advisory Committee has given me the experience and knowledge on how the State of Minnesota is already taking actions to make our community accessible by public transportation. My time on the Met Council Transportation Advisory Board has shown me how we must collaborate as a metropolitan region for an efficient and effective transportation system. As a legislator, I continue this work and advocate for similar, sustainable ways to get around.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to continue to build upon the work from the 2023-2024 legislative sessions. Despite the massive investment in housing, there is more work to do to make sure every person has a place to call home. I will continue to look to research, experts, and successes in other states to comprehensively develop a model that would work in Minnesota with adequate funding to effectively implement. Part of this research includes thinking creatively of barriers to keep home prices down, like unreasonable ordinances or homeowner association (HOA) bylaws. I will also intentionally engage with community businesses, officials, and organizations to fully understand the symptoms (e.g. housing) vs. root causes (e.g. unsafe home, poverty, etc.) of the issue(s) to pass policy to effectively solve the problem.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
The state’s budget priorities are a reflection of our values. To advocate for Minnesota’s working families, my priorities include fixing our broken healthcare system, looking at ways to make child care more affordable, and continuing to address barriers to implement our plan for carbon-free electricity by 2040. As I review monthly state forecasted revenues vs. observed, I am happy to see that observed revenues continue to outpace forecasted revenues. The state must appropriate its budget to adequately fund the services that Minnesotans need and rely on for their daily lives.