Issue Position: Quality Education for All Minnesotans

Issue Position

Education is the engine of opportunity and it ought to be available to all of us, not just some of us. Tina understands that higher education drives opportunity and it should be affordable and accessible to everyone. She also recognizes not every young person wants to or go to a four-year college, but every Minnesotan should be able to find a good paying job. Tina knows we need to open up opportunities for career and technical training.

As Lt. Governor:

Successfully fought for free all-day kindergarten for every family in Minnesota.
Worked to slow tuition increase by investing in our 2 and 4-year colleges and universities and financial aid programs for students in need.
In the Senate:

Authored and introduced the 21st Century Workforce Act, which invests in key partnerships between education, local business, and higher education. Several priorities Sen. Smith championed to help promote community and technical education were recently signed into law by the President as part of a larger bill.
Introduced legislation to get better mental health services in schools.
Helped introduce Community College to Career Fund Act, which brings tech/community colleges and small businesses together to prepare Minnesotans for careers in manufacturing, health care, energy, and IT. Co-sponsored bill with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to help millions of Americans refinance their student debt.
Successfully fought alongside Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) for funding to increase access to free online textbooks.
Held over a dozen workforce meetings in communities around the state.

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