During her 10 years in the state House of Representatives, Mary Jo McGuire focused on the University, early education and reducing property taxes.
This spring and fall the Democrat championed the relocation of the University’s women’s soccer stadium. Constituents in her district wanted plans for the stadium moved farther away from their houses. The Board of Regents approved a new location for the stadium this month.
The Democrat served as vice chairwoman of the family and early childhood education committee finance divisions. Last session she worked on a bill funding preschool programs, but even with the state’s $1.3 billion surplus, Gov. Arne Carlson vetoed it.
McGuire said she wants to return to the Legislature next year and pass the initiatives under a new administration.
She also said that she will have the seniority to chair a major committee in the next session and has put in a bid to lead the early education committee.
In addition to education issues, McGuire said she will continue to work on restructuring the tax system in order to reduce taxes and collect them fairly.
McGuire has lived in District 54A all her life. She earned a business education degree from the College of St. Catherine, a law degree from Hamline University and a masters in public administration from Harvard University.