Esther Agbaje

Civil Rights

I will also champion issues to ensure that women of color are protected in our society. I support the recently created office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives and the new task force on Missing and Murdered Black Women that is seeking more data and resources to protect these women and family members from harm. This session, I am carrying the CROWN Act to ensure that women and men of color can wear their traditional and natural hairstyles in the workplace and schools. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

I believe in using our resources to investing in our community to make us safe by ensuring stable housing, accessible healthcare, and an excellent public education for everyone. We must divest away from systems of violence, racism, and white supremacy to reach a more just society. Learn more

In my conversations with residents, I hear that people want the police to be better community partners and to treat them with respect regardless of the color of their skin. The people of color in my district feel as if their children are treated like targets or threats rather than kids to be protected. Learn more

Economy

I am a champion of efforts to expand access to capital for local minority-owned businesses and small-to-medium sized businesses. Learn more

Education

I will work toward providing equal resources, recruiting diverse teachers, and supporting parents so they can be actively engaged in their childrens’ education. Learn more

Environment / Energy

I will work to ensure that Minnesota moves towards 100% renewable energy and meets and maintains high standards to conserve our environmental assets, including the Mississippi River. I will be a voice to ensure that environmental protection changes are made in partnership with low-income communities of color. Such communities have traditionally borne the brunt of the impact of environmental waste. Any solutions our legislature develops must ensure that these communities have a voice and that their needs are met. Learn more

A healthy community is one where people are eating food that nourishes them, have clean water and air, and live in environments that do not make them sick. Often environmental issues are seen as a luxury even for communities that have been most affected by pollution. Learn more

Healthcare

The purpose of healthcare is about the complete wellness of a person, and I will advocate for fighting for universal coverage for all Minnesotans. Learn more

Housing

In my second term I will continue to advocate for the state to be a good partner in providing safe, dignified, and affordable housing for everyone from seniors, to low-income families, to working professionals. My focus is on building and maintaining public housing, mixed income neighborhoods and increasing pathways to home ownership especially for BIPOC communities. Learn more

Homelessness is a policy choice. I am committed to making sure that there are enough resources to address workforce development so that people can be trained to secure a job, increase the minimum wage to a living wage so that people can afford a place to live, as well as provide greater access and coverage for mental health care and addiction recovery so that people can keep and maintain their homes. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

The system works best from 9-5 on weekdays, but on evenings and weekends, it’s difficult to find a safe and reliable way back home or to work. Funding for public transit is currently tied to motor vehicle sales taxes. To create a safe and reliable system we need dedicated funding independent from motor vehicles. I also want to create more accessible and frequent routes and explore expanding programs for reduced or no-cost fares. Learn more

As we move to an electric fleet of buses and light rail, I will advocate to prioritize lines that run through neighborhoods with major transportation hubs, main thoroughfares, and communities that have the highest rates of respiratory illnesses and experience other effects of air pollution. I will promote an equitable public transportation that centers communities of color that were decimated by previous highway developments. I will also promote policies that will allow us to creatively redesign spaces, especially in the cities, away from car dominance. If people find it safer and faster to walk, bike, or take public transport, it will be much easier to reduce our dependence on cars. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

As a State Representative, I am using my position to hold corporations that seek to harm our environment accountable. We know that the people and institutions that hold the most power today are not paying their fair share. Learn more