Jen Fox
Name: Jen Fox
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-726-4832
Campaign Website: jenfoxforhouse.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: jenfoxforhouse
Candidate Bio
As a lifelong Hastings resident, I couldn’t imagine a better place to live, work, or raise a family. My decades of involvement in the community, both individually and as a former member of the City Council, has uniquely positioned me with a deep understanding of the issues our district is facing today and the importance of having someone in office who will do something about it. I am also a part owner of Spiral Brewery, a popular business on Second Street in downtown Hastings where I run the Sales and Distribution Division. I have seen the businesses come and go as they struggle to adapt to an uncertain economy and keep up with ever changing mandates. As a small business owner, I know the challenges our businesses are facing and want to be a partner in creating a thriving local economy that works for everyone.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
- Clean water access
- Affordability in life
- Reliable and responsible leadership
My first two priorities are not able to happen without continued state and federal funding. I believe trustworthiness and reliability in our representation is critical to the process of building programs and resources from the government.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
I believe the business climate in the East Metro is growing after years of building. We have an engaged and excited clientele. We are in an unique spot to encourage growth and ensure our population is in place to support business and community growth.
My work with the Hastings Chamber of Commerce informs this belief and we are working hard in our community to make sure our businesses thrive!
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges such as education, housing, workforce development, or other priority areas.
I believe it is critical for government to trust the work of our business communities and rely on their input as we build new policies. We need to have a balanced approach of back and forth communication, input, and trust.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
The Legislature enacted several new workplace mandates in recent years, including Paid Family and Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification standards. If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of these policies on the East Metro economy and workforce, and what principles would guide any changes you'd seek to make?
It is critical to approach policy making with a balance of supporting employers while also prioritizing employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Strong partnerships between local law enforcement, local businesses, and their representation.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
We need better access to public transportation. And we must focus on safe pedestrian and cycling opportunities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Focus on life-cycle housing and ensuring aging Minnesotans have a place to live so millennials are able to purchase their first homes.
Minnesota's current two-year budget shows a surplus, but state forecasters project a significant structural imbalance beginning in the 2028-2029 biennium. What steps would you take to address this long-term challenge? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
Holding new programs, focusing on state efficiency and efficacy, increased oversight, more frequent presentations on profit and loss/finance of each state agency.
Minnesota has faced several high-profile fraud cases involving public programs in recent years. The Legislature recently passed a new Office of the Inspector General on a bipartisan basis. Beyond this new office, what additional steps would you support to strengthen fraud prevention and rebuild public trust in how the state manages taxpayer-funded programs?
Fraud is bad. I would love to work with the Office of Inspector General to ensure we are digging in in a way that exposes bad actors and holds them accountable.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-726-4832
Campaign Website: jenfoxforhouse.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: jenfoxforhouse
Candidate Bio
As a lifelong Hastings resident, I couldn’t imagine a better place to live, work, or raise a family. My decades of involvement in the community, both individually and as a former member of the City Council, has uniquely positioned me with a deep understanding of the issues our district is facing today and the importance of having someone in office who will do something about it. I am also a part owner of Spiral Brewery, a popular business on Second Street in downtown Hastings where I run the Sales and Distribution Division. I have seen the businesses come and go as they struggle to adapt to an uncertain economy and keep up with ever changing mandates. As a small business owner, I know the challenges our businesses are facing and want to be a partner in creating a thriving local economy that works for everyone.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
- Clean water access
- Affordability in life
- Reliable and responsible leadership
My first two priorities are not able to happen without continued state and federal funding. I believe trustworthiness and reliability in our representation is critical to the process of building programs and resources from the government.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
I believe the business climate in the East Metro is growing after years of building. We have an engaged and excited clientele. We are in an unique spot to encourage growth and ensure our population is in place to support business and community growth.
My work with the Hastings Chamber of Commerce informs this belief and we are working hard in our community to make sure our businesses thrive!
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges such as education, housing, workforce development, or other priority areas.
I believe it is critical for government to trust the work of our business communities and rely on their input as we build new policies. We need to have a balanced approach of back and forth communication, input, and trust.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
The Legislature enacted several new workplace mandates in recent years, including Paid Family and Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification standards. If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of these policies on the East Metro economy and workforce, and what principles would guide any changes you'd seek to make?
It is critical to approach policy making with a balance of supporting employers while also prioritizing employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Strong partnerships between local law enforcement, local businesses, and their representation.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
We need better access to public transportation. And we must focus on safe pedestrian and cycling opportunities.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Focus on life-cycle housing and ensuring aging Minnesotans have a place to live so millennials are able to purchase their first homes.
Minnesota's current two-year budget shows a surplus, but state forecasters project a significant structural imbalance beginning in the 2028-2029 biennium. What steps would you take to address this long-term challenge? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
Holding new programs, focusing on state efficiency and efficacy, increased oversight, more frequent presentations on profit and loss/finance of each state agency.
Minnesota has faced several high-profile fraud cases involving public programs in recent years. The Legislature recently passed a new Office of the Inspector General on a bipartisan basis. Beyond this new office, what additional steps would you support to strengthen fraud prevention and rebuild public trust in how the state manages taxpayer-funded programs?
Fraud is bad. I would love to work with the Office of Inspector General to ensure we are digging in in a way that exposes bad actors and holds them accountable.