Erin P. Murphy

Civil Rights

Right now the ability for trans Minnesotans to access the care they need depends on what their insurance will cover. That’s not right, and I’ll fight to ensure trans Minnesotans get the coverage they need, and that when they do, they aren’t forced to jump through unnecessary hoops to access it. I vehemently oppose efforts that discriminate and dehumanize LGBTQ Minnesotans, like conversion therapy and so-called “bathroom bills” dictating who can use public bathrooms. I’ll also work to streamline processes related to changing one’s gender or name on official identification cards so that LGBTQ folks can more easily and safely rent, travel, and access important services. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

Sexual harassment and assault is a pervasive issue, not only on the national stage, but here at home on campuses, in workplaces, at the Capitol, and in our communities. I support and have championed affirmative consent legislation, under which Minnesota universities must define consent as a fully informed “yes,” given without the influence of drugs, alcohol, or intimidation. Under no circumstances should victim-survivors assume the financial burden of health costs associated with their assaults. I will fight to make sure health insurance covers those costs, and that the state does when health insurance doesn’t. Learn more

We must also restore the vote for Minnesotans who have served their time for felony convictions. Voting is a sacred right and it is a powerful tool in building strong, powerful communities. Learn more

People of color and Indigenous Minnesotans are treated differently by our criminal justice system. I support legalizing recreational marijuana that includes record expungement—this means releasing non-violent offenders, and supporting them as they transition out of the criminal justice system. Learn more

Education

I support creating an office of the ombudsperson to help those who have already graduated with student debt, as well as expanding refinancing options and loan forgiveness programs. We must also invest in technical programs and apprenticeships during high school. Trades and hands-on career pathways allow students to imagine their own career possibilities. This will revitalize our workforce and give students great opportunities upon graduation. Learn more

Minnesota’s kids deserve the best education in the world — that means every child, in every public school. Our schools are incredibly underfunded. We must urgently and heavily invest in our education system, and we must be willing to ask wealthy Minnesotans to pay more to make it possible. As we add to the formula we also need to specifically invest in early learning, funding full-service community schools that support students and their families in and outside the classroom, and ensuring our educators reflect the growing diversity of our students. Learn more

I also believe we must be proactive in addressing sexual assault and harassment by providing an age-appropriate curriculum to K-12 students that teaches personal boundaries, bodily autonomy, and respect, as part of a strong, broader comprehensive sex ed program. Learn more

Environment / Energy

For years I have said that projects like PolyMet should be held to very high standards and judged through a fair process. It's clear that hasn't happened, and we cannot allow PolyMet to proceed. I have always opposed the proposed Twin Metals mine. The threat to the BWCA is too great and not worth the risk. We also need to invest more to protect and restore the health of our water, our soil, and our land. This includes investing in the development of perennial crops to help farmers grow crops that have a market, and working towards saving the habitats of bees and pollinators. Learn more

Climate change is a fundamental threat to Minnesotans. We must ensure a transition to 100% clean energy, end pollution, protect our air and water, and create a future that is sustainable for all Minnesotans no matter where they live. Indigenous communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental degradation — we must take corrective action immediately. This means respecting Indigenous sovereignty and divesting from pipelines that only fortify dirty fossil fuel infrastructure. I oppose the building of Line 3. I don't believe it is needed and I hope we never build another pipeline. The climate crisis we are facing demands a clear, serious, bold, urgent, and committed response. We won't get there if we keep building fossil fuel infrastructure. Learn more

Guns

Minnesota must take the lead by implementing strong measures for gun violence prevention. This includes banning assault weapons, restricting magazine capacities, and requiring universal background checks. We must also recognize police violence as a facet of gun violence, one that impacts the most vulnerable in our communities. The gun violence conversation is incomplete without addressing the ways in which legally armed state and local law enforcement officers inequitably threaten the lives of people of color, indigenous people, and LGBTQ people. Learn more

Healthcare

We should aim to put Minnesotans’ care in their own hands. We should also invest in our healthcare workforce by investing in training programs for nurses and other care workers, to both help meet the needs of our patients and invest in local economies. Learn more

I am a supporter of single-payer. I co-authored John Marty’s Minnesota Health Plan. While we cannot implement true single-payer without the federal government, we can start by making MinnesotaCare available to all Minnesotans, contracting directly with providers (and cutting out insurance companies), and ensuring that mental health, dental, and vision care are available to all Minnesotans. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

Minnesotans experience the underfunding of roads, bridges, transportation infrastructure daily. We need large investments in infrastructure to give Minnesotans the resources they need to move their goods, services, and ideas throughout the state. Minnesotans must come together as we have in the past to ensure our communities have consistent sources for transit funding so people can get around regardless of where they live, their abilities, and whether or not they can afford a car. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

I will work to index the gas tax to inflation to make sure that our investment in our roads, bridges, and transit will never again fall so far behind our needs. I'll lead the fight to leverage federal transportation funds for both our roads and bridges, and also for transit projects like bus rapid transit, light rail, and high-speed transit initiatives. Minnesota has a long-term need of 11 billion in new and replacement waste and drinking water infrastructure. We also need to invest in clean energy infrastructure and technology. We must also expand broadband access and increase the use of electric vehicles. As we build our state, we must build the prosperity of working people as well, ensuring that union workers, earning a living wage receive those contracts. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I support paid family leave for every Minnesotan. As a nurse, I’ve seen the impact that one person’s illness can have on a family. It’s wrong to make workers choose between their livelihood and their health. I will fight for creating safer and healthier communities by making family leave universal. Learn more

In my time as a legislator I heard over and over that too many Minnesotans are struggling to get by. I will fight to raise the minimum wage to 15/hr indexed to inflation, and ensure Minnesotans have the benefits necessary to provide for themselves and their loved ones. Learn more