Additional Q-and-A with Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

Here’s candidate Q-and-A content in addition to what appeared in EPLN’s print Voter Guide, mailed to Eden Prairie homes in early October. We are repeating the Voter Guide’s introduction of the candidate.

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

Website: www.carlieforhouse.com

Kotyza-Witthuhn is a 13-year resident of Eden Prairie. She does not publicly list her street address.

She is the incumbent and Democratic candidate in this race, and has represented Eden Prairie in the Minnesota House for six years. She is the vice chair of the House Commerce Finance & Policy Committee and former vice chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Committee. She has held operations/administrative roles in the private sector.

Kotyza-Witthuhn noted that her six years in office have encompassed a split-party Legislature, DFL control of all three branches, and a pandemic that demanded remote participation. “I am efficient, effective, responsive and future-focused,” she said.

She listed groups that have endorsed or donated to her campaign as follows: Minnesota DFL Party, EMILY’s List, Women Winning, Planned Parenthood, OutFront MN, Education Minnesota, Minnesota Nurses Association, AFSCME Council 5, AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Minnesota Farmers Union, Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs, Conservation Minnesota and others.

EPLN: How would you address rising health care costs for Minnesota residents?

KOTYZA-WITTHUHN: As an allergy mom, I know the impact of skyrocketing drug costs and how expensive it can be to get our kids the care they need. I have worked to lower the cost of prescription drugs like insulin and epinephrine, and I support additional investment in mental health services and prior authorization reform.

Not one Republican supported efforts to create a public option, allowing Minnesotans to buy into the MinnesotaCare program and have access to affordable and high-quality health care. This is something I’ve prioritized from Day One as your state representative and we are moving in the right direction.

Our work continues in attraction and retention of a robust and skilled healthcare workforce and ensuring that insurance companies provide coverage for necessary testing and procedures.

EPLN: What is your position on legislation that affects the rights of LGBTQ+ residents in Minnesota?

KOTYZA-WITTHUHN: Queer rights are human rights, and human rights are queer rights. Our LGBTQ+ community members deserve full and equal protection from discrimination, and to live happy, healthy, full lives. Far too many lives have already been lost to suicide and violence. We can and we must craft policy that is inclusive of queer Minnesotans. I am proud to have voted to make Minnesota a trans refuge and to include gender-affirming care in insurance coverage.

EPLN: What do you see as the greatest threat to democracy in the United States, and what would you, as an elected official, do to address the threat?

KOTYZA-WITTHUHN: Minnesotans, and specifically the Third Congressional District which includes Eden Prairie, take pride in our constitutional right to vote and have led the nation in highest voter turnout. By promoting false stories of voter fraud, making it harder for Minnesotans to vote, and otherwise placing unnecessary obstacles in the paths of voters, some politicians are purposely sowing fear and distrust in our electoral process.

Simply put, voter suppression and voter intimidation are the most critical threats our democracy is currently facing. When politicians seek to make voting harder, and allow certain votes to count more than others, they diminish the founding principles of our very union.

As your state representative, I voted to protect and expand the freedom to vote, reduce the influence of dark money and corporations, and ensure that our democratic process in Minnesota is fair, inclusive and responsive to people statewide. At the same time, we have strong and punitive laws for any who intentionally cast an invalid ballot.

I’m proud to say that during my short tenure, Minnesota has become a model for best practices when it comes to elections. I will continue our work on the Minnesota Voting Rights Act and other pro-democracy policies.

EPLN: How effective is the Metropolitan Council? What reforms, if any, do you believe are needed to how it carries out its responsibilities and how it is governed?

KOTYZA-WITTHUHN: The Met Council oversees critical needs for the seven-county metropolitan area and represents over 55 percent of the state’s population. Currently, all 17 members of the Met Council are appointed by the governor at the beginning of a term, which means all members could roll off at the same time. 

I believe staggered terms would probably help in continuity and communication about essential services, from transportation to regional parks to affordable housing in the area. I have vocally supported state-funded audits on the internal processes of the Southwest Light Rail, and I am open to considering different or additional levels of oversight from state departments.