Why I’m Running

Community Proud, Dedicated to Moving St. Paul Forward

It is time for representation that is truly for the people, independent, and making decisions based on community input, not politics and party lines. Our state faces grave challenges which includes difficult economic times, high unemployment, and even greater social and economic disparities. These are not issues that can be solved by our usual politics. We need a new generation that understand the values of the community, and is truly a part of the community, not a career politician.

Amy Smith is a community proud leader, dedicated to moving St. Paul forward though engagement and unification of the people of the community, and by providing solutions to address these challenges.

Amy was raised in a working class, St. Paul-West End family that practiced the same values that make Minnesotans great – hard work, integrity, compassion, and fairness. Amy has a vision for an engaged and united St. Paul where community organizations come together to fill gaps, neighbors stand by one another, and families are able to move forward successfully and prosperously.

Our community deserves:

• A Minnesota where everyone has quality and affordable health care, including mental health services
• A Minnesota where all kids have access to a great education with quality and innovative curriculum that is culturally competent
• A Minnesota that invests in our children and stops cuts to child welfare programs
• A Minnesota where there is opportunity for investment and growth through our entrepreneurial spirit and we invest in our infrastructure
• A Minnesota that promotes the growth of business and is creative is training and skill development in union and non-union industries
• A Minnesota that promotes affordable housing 
• A Minnesota that respects the dignity and worth of every human being
• A Minnesota that has a fair judicial system with access to public defense and affordable legal services and explores alternative community court options and sentences that decrease the destruction of families and are less costly
• A Minnesota where campaigns are publicly funded and elections are decided by the voice of the people and not corporations and lobbyists.

Amy’s vision comes from her background and diverse experiences in growing up and working in the community. Amy advocates for socially responsive programs, fiscal responsibility and long term solutions in making policy and budget decisions. Our current short-sighted decisions continue to move our state into larger deficits, cause cuts that may further economic disparity, lack innovation and long term vision, and continue to be debated in a partisan manner, even when we need to come together and think of our people, not politics. Amy will help lead Minnesota by making smart, people based decisions such as in strong school systems, expansion of opportunities for jobs through small businesses and community organization training and skill development projects,  quality and affordable health care,  sustainable infrastructure and development, fair  and less complicated judicial systems, and ethical government. Amy will work respectfully and united with both Democrats and Republicans to find common ground without compromising our community values. Amy’s deep roots in the community, experience in community agencies, willingness to listen and work together to provide solutions, conviction, and integrity make Amy ready and qualified to be your next State Senator.

Let’s Engage, Unite, and Move Forward!