Minnesota is at a decision point and one proposal in front of us, which includes a tax on large social media platforms, raises a bigger question than it might first appear. Not just whether the policy makes fiscal sense, but whether it reflects the values that have made Minnesota a leading state in the first place.
As a pediatrician at Hennepin Healthcare, I see a consistent pattern in Minnesota’s success: that we prioritize children and families. That throughline — not any single policy — has shaped our economy, our civic life and our quality of life. The results are visible in strong health outcomes, high civic participation and a stable, high-performing economy. But those outcomes didn’t happen by accident. They reflect deliberate choices to invest in children and families.