When the Sun Thisweek asked, A.J. answered — no spin, no talking points.

The Sun Thisweek and Dakota County Tribune asked candidates for Minnesota House District 56A to respond to seven questions on the issues facing Minnesota families. Below are A.J. Prospect's complete answers.

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Name: A.J. Prospect Occupation: Retired cosmetologist and beauty school instructor; longtime Apple Valley resident Education: A.A. Political Science, Inver Hills Community College, 2017 Endorsements: Endorsed Republican Candidate for House of Representatives 56A; proudly endorsed by the Minnesota Farm Bureau PAC

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1. What are your priorities if elected?

My top priority is reducing taxes for Minnesota families and businesses while ending fraud through massive oversight. I will push for an open online daily grid portal that shows all expenditures and incomes for any charity, welfare, or social services program, so every citizen can see exactly where tax dollars go in real time. This transparency, paired with stricter verification and independent audits, will stop waste before it starts. I will also restrain spending growth, support safe communities, and focus education on results and parental choice. In Apple Valley, that means relief from high property taxes and more money staying in local pockets.

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2. What needs to be done to fix the state budget's structural deficit?

The structural deficit comes from spending growth — especially in Health and Human Services — outpacing revenues after prior surpluses were spent and programs expanded. The solution starts with lower taxes and zero tolerance for fraud and waste. I will support priority-based budgeting that slows automatic increases in the highest-cost areas, eliminates ineffective programs, and returns any remaining surplus directly to taxpayers.

Massive oversight is essential: require real-time eligibility checks, independent audits, and redesign "Transparency MN" into an open online daily grid portal of all expenditures and incomes for charities, welfare, and social services so the public can monitor every dollar. Recovering funds lost to fraud and preventing future losses will free resources without raising taxes. Economic growth from tax relief and reduced red tape will expand the revenue base. Dakota County families cannot afford more state spending that drives up local property taxes through unfunded mandates.

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3. What can state government do to make housing more affordable?

State government should lower costs by reducing regulatory barriers, streamlining permitting, and allowing more flexible zoning for starter homes, townhomes, and apartment units where communities want them. Property tax relief is critical so low- and middle-income households are not priced out by rising levies.

Cutting waste and fraud in state programs frees resources that can support targeted infrastructure without new taxes or subsidies that drive up costs. An open daily portal for related social services spending would ensure housing assistance dollars reach those who truly need them. In Dakota County, increasing supply through private building, paired with lower taxes, offers the most sustainable path to affordability for working families.

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4. Are you satisfied that appropriate steps have been taken to prevent future fraud?

No. Cases involving Feeding Our Future, Medicaid programs, and other social services show that current oversight has been inadequate, with large losses and delayed accountability. Appropriate steps have not been fully implemented.

We need massive, ongoing oversight: real-time verification, independent audits, stronger penalties, and recovery of stolen funds. Most importantly, I will advocate for an open, redesigned version of "Transparency MN" — an updated online daily grid portal that publicly displays all daily expenditures and incomes for any NGO, charity, welfare, or social services program. When everyday Minnesotans can see the data themselves, fraud becomes far harder to hide and trust is restored. Taxpayers in Minnesota deserve this transparency so dollars meant for vulnerable people actually reach them.

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5. Why Are Minnesotans Leaving the Workforce — and How Do We Fix It?

High taxes, regulatory burdens, child-care costs, benefit cliffs that discourage work, and an aging population all play roles. State government can boost participation by reducing taxes on work and small businesses, easing unnecessary regulations, expanding practical job training with local employers, and reforming assistance programs so work always pays.

Transparent oversight of welfare and social services — via an open daily portal — ensures benefits support those who need them while encouraging able-bodied adults into the workforce. Pro-growth policies will create more opportunities in Dakota County and across Minnesota.

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6. What needs to be done to ensure equal access to a world-class education?

Prioritize reading, math, and evidence-based instruction with clear accountability for results. Expand parental choice so funds follow students to the best option for their family. Reduce unfunded mandates and administrative overhead so more money reaches classrooms. Transparency in education-related spending supports this.

In District 196 schools serving Apple Valley, these steps would improve outcomes, increase parental involvement, and ease pressure on local levies by focusing resources efficiently. Every student deserves a strong foundation regardless of background.

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7. What is your message to independent voters?

Independents want lower taxes, honest government, and results that improve daily life. I will fight to reduce the tax burden, end fraud through massive oversight, and update "Transparency MN" into an open online daily portal so you can easily see — at a glance — exactly how every dollar in NGOs, charities, welfare, and social services is spent.

Combined with support for safe neighborhoods and schools that focus on basics and parental rights, this is common-sense leadership for Apple Valley and Dakota County. I will work for practical solutions that keep more of your money in your pocket and restore trust in state programs.

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A.J. Prospect is the endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 56A. Election Day is November 3, 2026 — find out how to vote or join the campaign today.