Hello, my name is Ashley Latzke. I’m running for State Representative of District 18B.
I grew up as the middle child in a family with 3 daughters in Good Thunder, MN. I attended the fantastic public Maple River School District from Kindergarten through graduation. I’m married to Kyle Latzke from Le Sueur, MN and we currently live in Gaylord with two young sons Archer aged 6, and Sawyer aged 4.
I have been a resident of Gaylord for the past eleven years. I work as a part-time hair stylist in Mankato. I am a member of the Sibley County Library Board and also a volunteer for the Sibley East Parent Community Organization.
The Issues
As a mother of two young children, I know how expensive childcare can be. Due to the high cost of childcare it was more economically viable for me to work part-time around my husband’s work schedule, so one of us was always available to take care of our children, to save money on childcare. This took a huge toll on my family as we rarely have time together as a family. I know we’re not the only family with this experience. I will work together with lawmakers on both sides of the isle to make childcare more afforable for everyone. Not just for our children, but our children’s children as well.
HEALTHCARE
Access to AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE should be a right of every citizen in the United States, this should include all type of healthcare, preventative, prenatal, mental, you name it. Nobody should feel trapped at a job they dislike because of the fear of losing access to the healthcare or medications they require. Easy access birth control for both men and woman as well as prenatal care for woman is a must to help create strong, healthy families in Minnesota. In addition, nobody should be made to choose between paying medical bills and the necessities. I will support legislation that helps rein in the the cost of medical care and help make healthcare premiums more affordable for every Minnesotan.
I fully support green energy sources in Minnesota. Both solar and wind energy are a great way to create jobs and stimulate the local economies in Minnesota, while helping to fight global warming. There is no reason solar and wind can’t be at the hands of every Minnesotan landowner.
AFFORDABLE BROADBAND INTERNET
In the 21th century, we are more dependant on fast reliable access to the internet than ever before. Online banking, schooling, shopping, and entertainment is now the norm. In the 1990s ISP were given Billions of federal dollars to deploy highspeed internet to rural and poorly served areas, but today you find it nearly impossible to find even just 100/100Mbps service in a lot of areas.
ISPs refuse to spend the money to roll-out ‘high cost’ broadband infrastruture to Minnesota’s rural areas as they worry more about short term gains. I know rural broadband is possible as RS Fiber has successfully laid out the fiber required for, up to, 1000/1000Mbps internet in Sibley and Renville counties.
Some people will argue that household only benefits from marriage when it is between a man and a woman, which is preposterous. The quality of any marriage, whether between a man and woman, or man and man, or woman and woman, is determined by the actions of the individuals. A household that shows love and support for it’s members will see benefits, regardless of sexual orientation.
Legal marriage gives additional rights and benefits and should be available for any couple should they decide to do so.
This content was originally published at http://ashleylatzkeforhouse.com/index.html
