Quality Public Education

Education is not just for each individual, but for our state as a whole. We must start with Head Start and ECFE programs to ensure life-long success.

Our future economy requires a prepared workforce.

Rep. Scalze helped pass the landmark 8% increase in per pupil K-12 funding for 2006/2007 - a huge turnaround after three years of flat funding cuts to schools.


Health Care

The prescription drug problem is driving up health care costs. We need to negotiate with drug companies who use excessive advertising and patent renewals.
  • Encourage programs to address the nursing shortage
  • Examing long-term care alternatives with accountability
  • Plan for health care accessibility for all Minnesotans
Developing a long-term solution to reform health care is a key issue for Rep. Scalze. In 2005, she helped protect state health insurance coverage for local residents whose jobs do not provide medical benefits.


Transportation

As representatives, we need to look at long-term solutions.

What will our grandchildren wish we had done today?

  • Build systems where people want to go
  • Meet current and future needs with roads, transit, park and ride lots, and express buses
  • Provide cost effective rail systems and bicycle lanes
Scalze helped pass the bill to let voters decide this November whether to dedicate all of the sales tax from cars and trucks to roads and transit to help solve traffic congestion.


Environment

The economy of our recreation industry will thrive with long-range planning for clean water and air.
  • Keep our air and water quality high
  • Require polluters to clean their mistakes and assess future plans
  • Plan for open spaces as we plan for other transportation alternatives
  • Work toward Minnesotas' energy independence
She co-authored a nation-leading agreement to reduce mercury pollution from the largest coal-fired power plants by 90% before 2015.
Above: Bev's winning DNR trout stamp for 1991


Middle-Class Income Tax Cuts

Rep. Scalze voted to eliminate the "marriage penalty" and reduce the Alternative Minimum Tax for middle-class taxpayers.


Safe Communities

  • Rep. Scalze supported tougher penalties for sex offenders and agressive steps to combat methamphetamine labs.
  • Minnesotans can now place a freeze on their credit reports as identity theft protection, prohibiting credit from being issued in their names.


Additional Accomplishments

  • Eminent Domain Reform
  • Bi-partisan cooperation to pass the bonding bill
  • Minimum wage increase
  • Homeowner warranty protection
  • Reimburse local fire departments for freeway accident response
  • Veterans and family programs