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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873
Press/News Releases
PELOWSKI PRAISES HOUSE K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING BILL AS IT HEADS TO THE FLOOR
ST. PAUL - State Representative Gene Pelowski, a member of the House Finance Committee and Education Division, praised the Minnesota House's comprehensive K-12 funding bill. The Finance Committee voted today to send the legislation to the House floor.
"When you set high expectations for our schools, you need to deliver the resources they need to meet them," Pelowski said. "This legislation provides those resources."
The bulk of the $919 million package gives a 3% increase in base funding for 2008 and 2009, $95 million for voluntary all-day Kindergarten, and $106 million to reduce the gap in unmet special education costs that have eaten into schools' general funds. It provides $152 million for a combination of technology upgrades, innovation and reform proposals, gifted and talented programs and funding for school libraries. It also provides property tax relief using a combination of referendum and debt service equalization aid and funding for operating capital.
"This legislation should help both Winona and Houston public schools avoid painful budget cuts and provide better education services to our children," said Pelowski, who is also a teacher at Winona Senior High School.
The House education bill hinges on the Governor accepting a plan to fund $535 million in property tax relief by creating a fourth tier of the state income tax for the wealthiest earners. The Governor has stated he will veto the fourth tier tax and that would eliminate the revenue for property tax relief and greatly reduce other items in the K-12 funding bill.
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News Items
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: MINNESOTA STATUTE 12A IMPROVES STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS AND DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI AND SEN. JEREMY MILLER SUPPORT TWO-BRIDGE PROPOSAL - (Posted: 2012-08-23 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PACKAGE SHOULD FOLLOW PROCESS OUTLINED IN 12A AND INCLUDE PUBLIC INPUT - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
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