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State Representative Paul Marquart
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6829
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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House DFL Announces Budget Targets with New Investments in Education Aimed at Building the World’s Best Workforce
St. Paul, Minnesota — Minnesota House DFLers announced their framework for the state budget today, which calls for historic investment in education. Representative Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth), chair of the House Education Finance Committee, said that the investments in education will set Minnesota up for long-term growth.
“These budget targets will let us start putting our kids on the path to the world’s best workforce,” said Rep. Marquart. “These new investments will go to efforts and strategies that have a proven record of increasing student performance and closing the achievement gap.”
The House DFL budget targets calls for a structurally balanced budget without gimmicks and new investments in priorities that will position Minnesota for economic success:
- Balances the state’s deficit using new revenue, spending cuts and reforms to close the $627 million deficit in the FY 14-15 budget cycle and provides for structural balance in FY 16-17.
- Fully pays back the $854 million IOU to Minnesota schools for the first time since 2007, utilizing a temporary income tax surcharge on the very wealthiest Minnesotans.
- Invests $1 billion in priorities to strengthen Minnesota’s economic future, including $700 million for early childhood through post-secondary education, $250 million in middle class property tax relief, and $46 million in job creation.
“Not only can we build the world’s greatest workforce, we absolutely must,” said Rep. Marquart. “We know what works and that’s early childhood education and all-day kindergarten. A great education system is the key to closing the job skills gap and building a stronger middle-class economy.”
During the last budget the legislature borrowed a record $2.4 billion from Minnesota schools. Under this budget framework Minnesota schools would be fully paid back this budget cycle through a temporary income tax surcharge on Minnesotans who earn more than $500,000 per year (less than 1% of all Minnesotans). The surcharge would blink-off once Minnesota schools are paid off, which would occur in two years or sooner.
“Over the last year Minnesotans said they wanted an honestly balanced budget that paid back our schools, invested in Minnesota’s future, and included property tax relief,” added Rep. Marquart. “We listened and will continue to listen.”
“Over the next several weeks, I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues and Governor Dayton on a budget that moves Minnesota forward and builds the world’s best workforce. We may have some differences, but we share the same priorities: crafting a budget that focuses on education, job creation, property tax relief, and building a better Minnesota.”
House Finance Committees will now begin crafting budget bills to fit the budget targets.
News Items
- Minnesota House Passes Education Budget Making Historic Investments in Minnesota students, future - (Posted: May 19 2013 12:00AM)
- Minnesota House Passes Education Budget Making Historic Investments in Minnesota Students, Future - (Posted: Apr 23 2013 8:38PM)
- House Omnibus Education Finance and Policy Bill Passes Out of Committee - (Posted: Apr 12 2013 3:32PM)
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