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| February 6, 2002 | Virgil McDill (651-296-8873) |
In recent years, the national economy was booming and the state basked in a record string of budget surpluses. Now, with a considerable budget deficit on hand, it's time to examine the boom years and ask ourselves what we accomplished for Minnesota's children. Viewed through the prism of our childrens' well being, we do not have much to show for our efforts. School districts across the state are sinking further and further into the red (Minnesota schools fell from 5th to 32nd in education investments), one-fifth of all children in the state are still living below the poverty level, the minimum wage is not livable, and thousands of Minnesota's children are unable to access the quality, affordable health care they need.
The neglect we have shown to Minnesota's children in recent years should chasten us and hasten our resolve to correct the mistakes that have been made with our most vulnerable population - our young. What better way to embark on a stronger, more vibrant tomorrow than to reinforce the values we hold dear by building a strong foundation for all our children?
As we embark on the 2002 Legislative Session this week, under the shadow of a budget deficit and a war on terrorism, our state finds itself in the midst of a transition, and change is inevitable. In fact, historically, times of transition have been our times of greatest change. It behooves our leaders and all citizens of the state to ensure that we change for the better.
With this in mind, several of my colleagues -- in conjunction with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) and a broad array of charitable and public advocacy groups -- have put together legislation as part of CDF's "Leave No Child Behind" national campaign. This legislation addresses critical, unmet needs of our most vulnerable children and provides first-step remedies that will improve the lives of our kids and help them to be ready to learn. In essence, the goal of Minnesota's "Leave No Child Behind" legislation is to bolster support of the health, education and well-being of our kids.
There are four overall components to the legislation: A Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, and a Safe Start.
First, a Healthy Start. An asthma surveillance system is established under the legislation to help prevent incidences of asthma -- the fastest growing health threat to Minnesota's children. To make sure children get off on the right foot, we are introducing a measure to provide seamless medical coverage for low income kids. We also hope to improve childrens' health by expanding Child and Teen Checkups, and by developing a sliding-fee schedule to lower health care premiums for children.
Under a Head Start, we will fix the At Home Infant Care Program to encourage parents to stay at home with their infants; we fund the TEACH program that encourages education professionals to work with the 0-5 age group in early childhood and family education; and we provide additional funds to alleviate the long waiting list for the Basic Sliding Fee child care program.
Thirdly, for a Fair Start, legislators know that it is a daunting challenge for any parent to balance work and home life. For thousands of Minnesota's working parents earning substandard wages, it is a nearly insurmountable obstacle. That's why we're asking to raise the state's minimum wage to $7 an hour. In addition, we will provide a $60 state child tax credit to all parents, mirroring the federal child tax credit.
Finally, we know that children can not succeed if they do not feel safe and secure. That is why the "Leave no Child Behind" bill will provide for a Safe Start. We provide "child only" grants to children in families leaving the MFIP program. We take a step towards providing permanent homes for children by equalizing assistance for adoptive, relative care and foster parents. We also provide funding to reduce instances of family homelessness through the state homeless prevention grant program.
Considering the budget deficit, we dedicate a new source of funding for these efforts. With a built-in funding source of a surcharge on cigarettes, the "Leave No Child Behind" bill will enhance our children's quality of life without contributing in any way to the state's current economic woes.
Above all, what we are asking is that Minnesotans take a good hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we have been good stewards of our vulnerable children after years of unbounded prosperity. This year, we have the opportunity to implement change for the better. We have the chance to improve the future of Minnesota by making sure no kids are left behind the door when opportunity knocks. By ensuring that our kids get a healthy, safe, fair head start, the "Leave No Child Behind" bill will open the door to a brighter future for all kids. On behalf of the bi-partisan coalition of State Representatives and Senators at the State Capitol who are sponsoring this bill, I invite all citizens to join us in this noble effort.