☕Meet-and-Greets: What I've Learned
As I work hard for you vote, I’ve been listening closely to your concerns and having conversations in our community. Hard-working people across the area shared a common issue: the systems we rely on every day are under strain, and it’s time for change.
Throughout the month of April on Saturdays, I had the opportunity to meet with community members, neighbors, and local businesses to help make sure their voices are heard in these upcoming elections. We were able to cover a variety of topics from educational standards and staff retention, to healthcare costs and other costs of living concerns in Northwestern North Dakota.
Standing Up for Educators and School Staff
Our public education is only as strong as the people who work in them. The backbone of our education system is built on our teachers, support staff, paraprofessionals, and school counselors/social workers; yet many feel overworked and undervalued.
I believe we can do more to support our public schools and create a better retention by improving policies that pertain to the reality of our classrooms. Far too often, programs are centered on assessments and standardized testing and limit options to better our children's educational outcomes.
We need a more balanced approach. Our teachers are trained educators that deserve to be trusted in their jobs while also focusing on policies that encourage student growth and creative for long-term success.
Strengthening Civics Education
Without our educational system, I support expanding civics education opportunities in our schools. Preparing students to be informed and engaged citizens is essential to their future.
I was appreciative to have conversations around programs developed in partnership with local organizations like the League of Women Voters in Williston. These efforts and programs help students better understand our democratic processes and their role within them. Helping them learn of their rights and the value they bring to our state will be important in keeping well trained individuals in our community.
Tackling Housing Affordability
One of the main concerns I’ve heard from community members is the cost of housing. In Williston, the average home is priced around $388,000. For many families, especially those with multiple children, this price point simply doesn’t match their needs or their budgets. Small homes with large prices tags make it hard for families to put down roots in the area. I have also heard from community members they would not be able to afford living in the area due to the costs if they did not have a financially supportive partner. That’s not a sustainable model for building a strong workforce.
If we want to bring more qualified individuals to the area, we need to make it more affordable for single workers in essential fields, such as education, healthcare, and public safety.
Addressing Workforce Issues
As housing costs continue to rise, we lose more than just affordability, we lose opportunities in our community. We struggle to attract well rounded and educated professionals who are able to provide specialized services, creating areas of needs from education to first responders to informed medical providers.
If we want to grow our community where it will thrive, not just survive, we need to ensure that people, single or not, can afford to live and work here. That means taking a serious look at housing development strategies and making them reflect the needs of our workforce.
Confronting High Healthcare Costs
Healthcare is another major concern that was brought up in discussion during multiple meet-and-greet coffee gatherings, with the need for receiving care in our community being limited. Often, community members have to travel several hours or even to another state to get the necessary healthcare, adding additional significant costs to an already expensive service.
A single emergency room visit can push a family into financial hardship throughout our country. For Northwestern North Dakota, when you factor in travel expenses, time away from work, and rising medical bills, the burden becomes overwhelming. We need to explore ways to improve access to care closer to home and make realistic change for our community.
A Path Forward
The challenges of education, housing, workforce retention, and healthcare we see in Northwestern North Dakota are deeply connected. To address these concerns, there will need to be practical policy shifts, collaboration, and leaders that are committed to putting their community and people first.
As your candidate for District 23, I am committed to listening, advocating, and working toward solutions that make our communities more affordable and sustainable for future generations.
I hope I can earn your vote and make change happen.
No matter the amount, every donation helps bring choice to Northwestern North Dakota.
Pictures from the past meet-and-greet gatherings Michael has attending through the month of April.
