Erika Yoney

My work as a nurse and mental health professional has best prepared me to serve as a state legislator. Nursing builds the skills needed in this role, assessment, problem-solving, critical thinking, fiscal responsibility, creativity, and compassion. I have over 20 years of experience working in healthcare and education, including serving as a state school health consultant where I worked with school districts, state agencies, and the legislature. I now work in safety-net settings and see firsthand how policy impacts communities. I bring an important perspective that is currently missing in the Minnesota House, especially in healthcare and mental health policy.

My top priorities are strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and ensuring residents have the resources they need to build a life here. I will fight to fully fund our public schools so every educator and student has the support they need to succeed, improve access to quality physical and mental healthcare, and build partnerships and strengthen infrastructure that directly reduce costs for our residents. I believe government should reflect our values by investing in people and strengthening communities.

Over the next five years, Minnesota will face real challenges from federal instability in healthcare, education, and trade policy that will put pressure on hospitals, schools, businesses, and families. But we also have an opportunity. Minnesota has a strong track record of stepping up when federal systems fall short. We can strengthen our own healthcare and education systems, protect essential services, and invest in long-term stability for families and communities. We have the opportunity to be proactive as these changes arrive locally.

Yes. State investments in these areas are essential for Minnesota's long-term economic growth and the success of our communities. Public-private partnerships play a critical role in building a strong workforce. In Moorhead and across Minnesota, we've seen how collaboration among state government, schools, colleges, and businesses creates sustainable systems that benefit employers, strengthen communities, and expand opportunities for workers. We should continue investing in and enhancing these partnerships to ensure Minnesota remains a great place to live and work.

Yes, I support the use of state funding for economic development in these areas when they are transparent, accountable, and tied to clear community benefits. These investments can play an important role in supporting business retention, attracting new employers, and encouraging expansion, especially in a competitive regional economy. However, they should be used strategically, with measurable outcomes, transparency, and a focus on long-term workforce and community development so that public dollars deliver real value for taxpayers and strengthen our local economy for the long term.

Addressing the housing shortage requires a more holistic approach than we are currently seeing. While increasing apartment construction is part of the solution, it is not sufficient on its own. We also need to invest in workforce development so there are enough skilled workers to build and maintain housing, support innovation in construction to improve affordability and supply, and strengthen awareness and access to existing Minnesota programs that many residents are not utilizing. Expanding diverse housing options so people can find housing that fits their needs at different stages is also essential to creating a more functional housing market.

Childcare accessibility and affordability is a serious challenge that directly impacts families, employers, and our workforce. We need to be honest about the gaps and more intentional about solutions. Childcare is essential infrastructure for a strong economy. Expanding access will require innovation; things like strong partnerships between public and private sectors, including support for family childcare providers, start-up grants, and innovative models such as shared or “pod” spaces that use unused community buildings. We should also explore employer partnerships and better integration of existing resources. Moorhead has the creativity and commitment to build solutions that work for families and providers.

Border communities like Moorhead have unique opportunities and challenges because we compete and collaborate across state lines. As a legislator, I would focus on investing in workforce development, supporting strong public schools, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare and childcare so families and businesses can thrive here. I would also work to streamline regulations that create unnecessary barriers in border communities that are unique and problematic, like supply chain issues, and strengthen partnerships across sectors. By focusing on quality of life and long-term stability, we can attract and retain workers, support employers, and grow our economy.