My approach to policy is grounded in my experiences as a mother, citizen activist, legislator, farmer and business owner. With every issue, I first ask, “What is our moral responsibility as Minnesotans to this issue? How can we fulfill our promises to our citizens in a way that is fair, economical, and furthers Minnesota as a national and international leader in this area? What is the very best way to fulfill our commitment to social, environmental and economic justice so every Minnesotan can achieve their dreams?”

Below is a general philosophy on each issue. Throughout my long legislative career, I have met with and listened to residents from all over Minnesota to include your perspectives as I develop policy. I invite you to send me your comments, your complaints as well as your aspirations and dreams for yourself and for Minnesota during this campaign. In the coming weeks, we will develop position papers on all the issues listed below. If you have resources or information you would like to share with the campaign, do not hesitate to contact us. We want to hear from you. It's only with your involvement and passion we will be able to achieve and fulfill Minnesota's promise and vision for a brighter future.

The foundation for my platform is a belief that Minnesota's government can and should deliver quality services in a responsive, efficient and cost effective way, utilizing private partnerships to supplement but not supplant Minnesota's basic commitment to supporting strong urban, suburban, and rural communities.

The most important issues for my campaign are:

Universal Health Care

Every Minnesotan has the basic human right to access health care that is affordable. Not only is the lack of access to affordable health care a commentary on what we value as human beings, but the soaring costs of health care are crippling Minnesota's businesses in the global marketplace. Further, small business people and entrepreneurs are weighed down and discouraged by the high cost of independent health care. The cost of under and uninsured people is increasing costs for everyone else. Publicity press conferences and law suits will not resolve the problem. It will take a consensus to a multistage process based on the fundamental acknowledgement that every single Minnesotan needs, deserves, and should receive quality basic health care. Under my leadership, no one will be left out of this most critical vision. A commitment to universal health care is my top priority as Governor.

Check out the specifics of my HealthCare Security Plan.

Quality Education

Universal quality education is the foundation of a free society. The quality of education must not be determined by where in the state a child is born. As a State we have a constitutional and moral obligation to ensure that the resources are available to ensure every family has the education they need to succeed. Shifting the financial burden to property taxes has been a disastrous mistake. As Minnesota's Governor, I will renew the “Minnesota Miracle,” and ensure that education – from early childhood to high school to continuing and higher education – is made available to every Minnesotan. Not only is education the most important tool to develop our current and future economy – education is the incubator of dreams. To educate all our citizens to fulfill their highest potential IS to fulfill Minnesota's dream and further America's democracy. 

Check out the specifics of my Lifelong Learning Education Plan.

Effective Transportation

An effective transportation system is essential to a competitive economy. Moving people efficiently to jobs and products to market is one of the most important investments government can make in ensuring competitiveness. An effective transportation system includes roads, airports, highways, and public transportation – including busses, and light and heavy rail. Every citizen has the right to access transportation that is safe, efficient, and economical. Under my leadership, we will not only expedite improvements to transportation infrastructure, but we will prioritize projects that reduce and prevent pollution, including the development of biofuels grown from Minnesota's crops.

Sustainable Energy

Minnesota businesses and workers will gain a significant competitive edge when we reduce Minnesota's dependency on imported fuels and invest in clean, renewable energy. Under my leadership, we will prioritize development in Minnesota's clean energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels, jumpstarting our economy and creating jobs, as well as eliminating the pollution that compromises our air and water and makes us sick. Minnesota can and must become an international leader in clean, renewable energy.

Check out my energy proposal: Minnesota Clean

Environmental Protection

Clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and natural habitat for recreation and renewal are all part of Minnesota's birthright. As a farmer and hunter, I know that while these things are an essential part of our economy, they are also an integral part of our quality of life. Our inheritance to our grandchildren is not measured in dollars and cents, but in the condition of what we leave behind. Under my leadership, a commitment to sound environmental policy will not simply be a slogan, but will be turned into action that restores our air, our water, and our habitat into a healthy and sustainable state.

The Lourey Administration is committed to a state and local government financing system that offers all Minnesotans the opportunity for success in life by providing the essential public infrastructure and services necessary to achieve this goal.  In order to attain the global competitiveness needed to bring prosperity to all, the State of Minnesota should focus on tax fairness at every level of income, narrowing the achievement gap in education, accomplishing affordable health care for all, securing public safety, addressing our long-term transportation needs by emphasizing energy alternatives, and accompanied by accountability measures to ensure the effectiveness of new investments.  Minor fiscal changes and unrealistic tax collection expectations cannot move Minnesota forward to achieve needed, major policy goals.

This fiscal process framework is evolutionary in nature.  Recent Minnesota history tells us that rapid and radical fiscal structure change brings about unanticipated negative consequences.  The 2001 decision to suddenly eliminate the Minnesota general education levy quickly triggered yo-yo school financing that was far more dependent on swings in the state economy.  The sudden change also created unexpected shortfalls for numerous Tax Increment Financing districts.  Another significant jolt to the system came in 2003 when the cities’ local government aid (LGA) was reduced by 25%, triggering significant cuts in local public safety expenditures, spend down of reserve funds and rapidly escalating property taxes, especially for residential properties.  The Lourey Fiscal Policy Framework outlines the achievable goals to be accomplished over several years, gradually transitioning to a more-stable and fairer structure based on forecast revenues available and changing expenditure needs at the state and local levels. Check out the specifics of my Fiscal Policy Framework.

The arts in Minnesota contribute enormously to our high quality of life, both culturally and economically. 

Culturally, I know that arts enrich and give meaning to the human experience. Historically, I know that long after societies disappear, it is the the art that survives. Economically, I know that the arts employ over 20,000 people in Minnesota (four times the mining industry and twice the highway construction industry). We know access to cultural opportunities are in the top ten reasons businesses relocate. For all these reasons, support for the arts will be central to my administration.

In both my public and private life, I support the arts (my sister is a concert pianist and my college major was in art). I enjoy enormously attending and supporting the visual and performing arts whenever I can squeeze it in my schedule.

As Governor, I will dedicate a funding stream for the visual and performing arts, provide incentives for film, commercial and television production, and promote an arts curriculum in schools.

Check out the specifics of my Arts Policy Recommendations.