A Practical Path to a Self -Sustaining Minnesota. Why I'm Proposing State-Owned Enterprises and Why it Matters for Education

I didn’t come to this idea from a think tank or a donor meeting.

I came to it the hard way—by living real life.

I’ve gone to school hungry.

I’ve slept without a permanent home.

I’ve worked long hours and still come up short.

And I’ve worked alongside educators who stretch miracles out of nothing—then get blamed when the system fails them.

So when I talk about Minnesota needing a new, sustainable way to fund education and public services, I’m not talking ideology. I’m talking practicality, dignity, and long-term stability.

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The Core Idea (Plain English)

Minnesota should explore carefully governed, transparent state-owned enterprises that participate in the free market and generate revenue for the public good.

Not to replace private business.

Not to control the economy.

But to help pay our bills without constantly reaching into taxpayers’ pockets.

If the state can responsibly earn revenue, we reduce pressure on:

property taxes

local school levies

emergency budget cuts

federal instability

That’s not radical. That’s responsible.

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Why This Matters for Education

Education funding in Minnesota is constantly playing catch-up with inflation. Teachers are asked to do more with less. Support staff are stretched thin. Schools depend on levies that punish low-property-wealth districts.

I’ve worked in education. I’ve seen what underfunding does—not on spreadsheets, but in classrooms.

State-generated revenue gives us a chance to:

stabilize school budgets

reduce reliance on local levies

protect funding during economic downturns

make sure teachers are paid for teaching—not for buying supplies

If a police officer doesn’t have to pay for the lead in their bullets, educators shouldn’t be paying for the lead in their pencils.

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What This Is Not

Let’s be clear.

This is not:

eliminating private business

banning competition

handing blank checks to government

gambling taxpayer money

This is about measured, accountable participation in the same free market everyone else plays in.

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Myth vs. Fact

Myth: Government can’t run businesses

Fact: Government already manages pensions, utilities, transportation systems, universities, and investment funds. The issue isn’t ability—it’s oversight. My approach requires audits, benchmarks, and legislative review.

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Myth: This replaces private business

Fact: No business is shut down. No competition is banned. Consumers choose. If a state enterprise fails, it fails. That’s the market.

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Myth: This is socialism

Fact: Socialism removes choice. This expands it. The only difference is that when Minnesotans choose a state enterprise, Minnesota benefits instead of distant shareholders.

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Myth: This risks taxpayer money

Fact: Doing nothing already risks taxpayer money. Underfunded schools, burned-out teachers, and emergency levies cost more in the long run. My plan emphasizes pilot programs, transparency, and limits.

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Why I Believe This Can Work

Other countries and states already do versions of this—public utilities, sovereign wealth funds, state investment arms. The lesson isn’t “copy them blindly.” The lesson is learn, adapt, and do it right.

Minnesota is smart enough. Big enough. Innovative enough.

If a smaller state can issue same-day REAL IDs in person, we can figure out responsible, modern revenue strategies too. Size should mean better systems, not more excuses.

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Why This Comes From Me

I’m not a career politician.

I didn’t grow up insulated from consequences.

I understand what it means when utilities get shut off.

I understand what it means to choose between food and bills.

I understand why education, stability, and opportunity matter—because I didn’t always have them.

I may not be from Minnesota originally, but every state struggles with the same problems. The only difference is population size. I fell in love with Minnesota because it tries to do better—and I want to help make it a beacon other states look to, not a cautionary tale.

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FAQ

Q: Will this raise taxes?

A: The goal is the opposite—to reduce long-term reliance on tax increases by creating new revenue streams.

Q: Is this guaranteed to work?

A: No serious policy ever is. That’s why this starts small, with oversight, transparency, and accountability.

Q: Why not just raise taxes on corporations?

A: Corporations pass taxes on to consumers. I’d rather reduce pressure on working families while still funding schools.

Q: Does this replace federal funding?

A: No—but it protects Minnesota if federal priorities shift or funding becomes unstable.

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Final Thought

This isn’t about left vs. right.

It’s about forward vs. stuck.

I believe Minnesota can fund education, respect educators, and protect taxpayers—at the same time. But only if we’re willing to think beyond the same old tools.

That’s what this is:

Not a gamble.

Not a slogan.

A serious idea rooted in real life.

And I’m ready to defend it.