We as citizens need to do a better job of looking at the future and how our decisions today will impact us and our children over the next 10 to 20 years and beyond.

In the 2014 and 2016 election cycles we saw the Governor given a legislature that decided our future was not as important as short-term political gain. We saw the loss of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) citizens board, which was a vital citizen board that watched out for everyone's interest. We also saw the repeal of many other laws affecting our hunting and fishing habitats across the state. It is time for real citizens to take charge and protect the future of our state for generations to come.

Let's elect a legislature that is willing to make hard choices and bring Minnesota back to the leader in everything we do. We must plan not just for tomorrow, but for future generations who will be taking care of us. This means:

• A better, more diverse educational system that meets the needs of our residents and the small businesses they own and work for.
• A strong environmental board and a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that will protect the habitats for the animals and fish we depend on while helping businesses succeed and bring more profits to the state.
• A transportation system that is both diverse and flexible and can meet the changing transportation needs of our diverse population both in the cities and in our rural areas.