Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger
Name: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: www.amandaformn.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for MN Senate (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578871677132)
Candidate Bio
I have a passion for advocating for families and building relationships with people across my community. For the past three years I have worked tirelessly to create and pass policy to make south Maplewood, Woodbury, and the state of Minnesota a place where families thrive. I want to carry on the momentum into the Senate, and continue leading on issues like affordable child care and affordable access to healthcare.
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.
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 have a record of working across the aisle on issues like food insecurity, consumer protections, and caring for our veterans. I look forward to continuing this work in the Minnesota Senate. First, we need to work 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 historic investments passed by the Minnesota Legislature continue to positively impact our state. Lastly, we must ensure that Minnesotans are as insulated as possible from harmful policies coming from the Federal government.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
While the business climate has a strong history of thriving in the East Metro, it is not immune from the uneasiness being experienced by people in the East Metro. I am concerned about the future impact of inflation, a stagnating economy, tariffs, and workforce shortages. As a Senator, I will work to provide stability and communication as we move through this uncertain time.
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 recent legislative sessions have positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state’s business climate?
I believe in working together and collaborating to tackle complex challenges. It is important that I seek out feedback from those who are experts in their trade or field so that I better understand perspectives. Our community is expecting change in how we interact with businesses as customers and workers. As a Senator, I will 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.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
As a legislator, I will 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 Legislature passed several new mandates on employers in recent years, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support these policies as they are currently structured, or do you believe they need further refinement? If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of such proposals on East Metro employers, and what principles would guide your approach to exemptions or modifications?
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 needs. 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. With the Gold Line and its corresponding MicroTransit now open in Woodbury, I look forward to learning about its success and address challenges to better move people of all ages and abilities in, out, and around our communities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to continue to build upon the work from the past two 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.
Minnesota’s upcoming budget deficit presents a significant challenge in the years ahead. What steps would you take to bring the budget into balance? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
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 childcare 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 evaluate how we can best support the working, middle class to adequately fund the services that Minnesotans need and rely on for their daily lives.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: www.amandaformn.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for MN Senate (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578871677132)
Candidate Bio
I have a passion for advocating for families and building relationships with people across my community. For the past three years I have worked tirelessly to create and pass policy to make south Maplewood, Woodbury, and the state of Minnesota a place where families thrive. I want to carry on the momentum into the Senate, and continue leading on issues like affordable child care and affordable access to healthcare.
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.
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 have a record of working across the aisle on issues like food insecurity, consumer protections, and caring for our veterans. I look forward to continuing this work in the Minnesota Senate. First, we need to work 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 historic investments passed by the Minnesota Legislature continue to positively impact our state. Lastly, we must ensure that Minnesotans are as insulated as possible from harmful policies coming from the Federal government.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
While the business climate has a strong history of thriving in the East Metro, it is not immune from the uneasiness being experienced by people in the East Metro. I am concerned about the future impact of inflation, a stagnating economy, tariffs, and workforce shortages. As a Senator, I will work to provide stability and communication as we move through this uncertain time.
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 recent legislative sessions have positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state’s business climate?
I believe in working together and collaborating to tackle complex challenges. It is important that I seek out feedback from those who are experts in their trade or field so that I better understand perspectives. Our community is expecting change in how we interact with businesses as customers and workers. As a Senator, I will 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.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
As a legislator, I will 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 Legislature passed several new mandates on employers in recent years, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support these policies as they are currently structured, or do you believe they need further refinement? If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of such proposals on East Metro employers, and what principles would guide your approach to exemptions or modifications?
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 needs. 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. With the Gold Line and its corresponding MicroTransit now open in Woodbury, I look forward to learning about its success and address challenges to better move people of all ages and abilities in, out, and around our communities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to continue to build upon the work from the past two 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.
Minnesota’s upcoming budget deficit presents a significant challenge in the years ahead. What steps would you take to bring the budget into balance? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
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 childcare 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 evaluate how we can best support the working, middle class to adequately fund the services that Minnesotans need and rely on for their daily lives.