A More Self-Sustaining Minnesota Better Tomorrow, Starting Today

Minnesotans care about each other. Deeply. It’s rooted here.

But somewhere along the way, government stopped feeling like **of the people, by the people, for the people** and started feeling like a closed system you’re forced to fund but rarely allowed to see.

This is a proposal to rebuild that trust through **visibility, accountability, and a more self-sustaining way of operating**.

This is **not** a magical solution. It is **not** a day-one buildout.

It is a different way of doing things that should be **researched, considered, evaluated, and stress-tested** like any serious venture.

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## The Problem

Right now, government funding relies heavily on repeatedly reaching into people’s pockets. Taxes are paid, the money moves through systems most people never see, and the public is asked to trust the outcome.

That lack of visibility is where distrust grows.

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## The Goal

Make public money **tangible** again.

People are still paying taxes. Money is still being collected.

What changes is that we stop treating taxes as the only lever we ever pull. We build a system where government also reduces costs and earns revenue where appropriate—so we are not constantly reaching into your pocket as the first and only solution.

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## MN.govinc as a Local-Proof Model

MN.govinc is one example of this approach. It is **not theoretical** and it is **not just “from my brain.”**

A local model already exists: **Anoka has demonstrated a public enterprise operating in the market that generates public revenue.** That local proof matters. It shows feasibility and gives us something concrete to evaluate, adapt, and—if it holds up—scale responsibly.

MN.govinc is not a storefront concept. It is an operating idea: public value created through real-world operations, with public benefit kept public.

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## Real Green, Not Make-Believe Green

This approach includes practical cost offsets that are real, measurable, and accountable.

For example, installing solar panels on government buildings to offset the electricity those buildings already consume.

That is not ideology. That is basic cost management that reduces operating expenses and keeps more money in the public system.

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## Property Taxes: The First Long-Term Target

Once the system is stable and large enough—after it is proven—my first long-term goal is to reduce and eventually eliminate property taxes.

Property taxes are destabilizing and prevent people from truly owning their homes. Ownership should mean ownership.

This goal comes later, only when the math supports it. This is a proposed direction, not a guarantee.

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## Build the Process, Then Build

I am not saying “build now and trust me.”

I am saying we **build the process**, and then we build.

That means:

- research thoroughly,

- evaluate like a serious business would,

- pilot carefully,

- audit and verify results,

- and only then expand.

This is a conversation starter. It is not a be-all, end-all solution. I am not God.

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## Day-One Direction: Public-Facing Budgets Across All Agencies

Better tomorrow starts today with immediate cultural change: **visibility**.

On day one, an executive order should align that every government agency spending public dollars maintains a public-facing budget page on its website.

These budgets should be:

- simplified in plain terms,

- updated regularly (weekly or monthly snapshots),

- and designed to protect personal information.

This is category-level reporting, not invasive detail.

Examples:

- Payroll: $X (not individual salaries)

- Office supplies: $Y

- Contracts/procurement: $Z

- Facilities/utilities: $A

- Operations: $B

Et cetera, et cetera.

Agencies already track this internally to stay within budget. This does not create new bureaucracy.

It changes the audience. The same summaries used inside government should be visible to the public.

This standard applies across the board—not only to MN.govinc.

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## Oversight: Audits and Open-Door Scrutiny

Visibility needs verification.

This model includes:

- state and public oversight,

- randomized audits conducted by **licensed Minnesota CPAs**, selected like jury duty with the option to decline,

- conflict-of-interest screening.

There is also an open-door posture toward qualified scrutiny.

I’m not saying “you can.” I’m not saying “you can’t.”

I’m saying we will look into it on a case-by-case basis with clear rules and supervision.

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## Public Feedback That Gets a Real Response

Open books require a real feedback loop—not a runaround.

There should be a clear, reachable way to raise concerns (for example, a voicemail line with transcription). Then:

- every complaint is heard,

- every complaint is logged,

- patterns are flagged when multiple reports point to the same issue.

When an issue is escalated, we publish a simple notice:

**“This was brought to our attention. We are reviewing it. Stand by.”**

Reviews happen in a timely manner—not six months later. Early visibility helps catch problems, including simple pencil errors, before they become expensive failures or career-ending events.

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## Build It With the Public

We should run public listening sessions and focus groups—like responsible organizations do—so people can say what they want to see and what would build trust.

This is not government-only feedback. We build this together, for everyone, together.

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## Major Changes: Consent, Not Convenience

For major changes that affect Minnesotans in a lasting way, the public should have a real say—through a ballot vote.

Not every operational detail belongs on a ballot. That’s why we have elected officials.

But major changes should not be brushed aside without direct public consent.

Where appropriate, some questions shouldn’t wait until November. Earlier votes can keep momentum and engagement high.

Separately, non-binding public polling can be used to listen first—before anything is locked in.

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## Bottom Line

This is about restoring a government that feels like it belongs to the people again:

open, visible, reachable, accountable, and willing to show its work.

A more self-sustaining Minnesota is not a slogan.

It is a direction—and it starts by building the process first, then building what earns its place.

**Better tomorrow, starting today.**

*A Brighter Minnesota for All*