DEAR NEIGHBORS,
My name is Ellen Cousins, and I’m running for State Representative to serve Minnetonka and Eden Prairie in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
For over 25 years I’ve been proud to work side-by-side with our neighbors to accomplish many community goals by approaching issues with a cooperative, common-sense attitude. I’ll take this same spirit of teamwork to the Capitol to address education, health care, transportation and other challenges facing our state.
GET TO KNOW ELLEN:
- Marketing and Sales Professional
- Minnetonka Economic Development Authority Commissioner
- Hopkins School District Volunteer, PreK-12 for over 20 years
- Alice Smith Elementary Accessible Playground Chair
- Hopkins Education Foundation Trustee
- Community Health Charities & Children’s Cancer Research Fund speaker
- PTO Board Member, President and Auditor
- WAMSO Board Member and Chair of a program to introduce young audiences to music
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Volunteer
- Minnetonka Resident for 27 years
- Married to David, 4 grown children
My husband David and I are long-term residents of this area. I moved into the area straight out of college, to pursue a marketing career. Throughout the years, I have also worked in many ways to support our community. I have a proven track record of getting things done!
I led a team of dedicated volunteers to fund and build a much-needed accessible playground for our school and community. I’ve been involved in many aspects of our school district in various leadership roles. I was an active executive board member with Hopkins Education Foundation, where we funded many new initiatives to help better our students’ futures. Along with my work for Hopkins schools, I’ve enjoyed helping our seniors stay active, served on the Minnetonka Economic Development Authority and am an active member of our church.
Over the years, I have been asked to run for office in various roles – the Hopkins School Board, Minnetonka City Council, and the State House. Unfortunately, the time was never quite right given my children’s ages and needs. But now, with most of our children launched, I look over our recent representation in St. Paul and feel I must take the leap and ask you to allow me the opportunity to be your state representative.
We have many issues currently facing Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and the surrounding communities. Education, healthcare, infrastructure, and eldercare are just a few that face us today. I will take a common-sense approach to find ways to solve – or at least make better – many of these issues. And I have news for you; bigger government is not the answer! Working within our budgets and alongside private and not-for-profit institutions to help find solutions that don’t put more on the shoulders of individual taxpayers will bring us far closer to a better Minnesota for us and for generations to come.
With your support, I will continue to work hard for our community and get things done!
It would be an honor to serve you.
Issues
EDUCATION
Fight for our fair share of school funding and direct more dollars into our classrooms for teachers and students. She will prioritize innovative reforms to give every child access to safe, quality schools with excellent outcomes.
ECONOMY
Strengthen the economy for individuals and businesses by lowering the tax burden and matching our workforce with the training they need to be successful.
HEALTH CARE
Lower health care costs, make health care pricing more transparent, and increase coverage options for everyone. Extend mental health resources for those in need.
PARTISANSHIP
Reduce the debate around ideology and work across the aisle for Minnesotans who want to see government get things done.
SENIORS
Protect seniors and vulnerable adults living in long-term care. Stop taxing pensions and social security income to encourage retirees to stay in Minnesota.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
Be responsible for what we have, including maintenance for existing roads and bridges. Aim to reduce congestion and keep all drivers safe on the road.
This content was originally published at https://www.ellencousins.com/