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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
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PELOWSKI PRAISES HOUSE E-12 EDUCATION BILL
ST. PAUL - In a strong bipartisan vote of 119 to 13, the Minnesota House passed a comprehensive E-12 Finance bill early today. Representative Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) called it a balanced bill that funds school needs while expecting academic success.
"We should expect a high level of academic performance from our schools," said Pelowski, a member of the House Education Finance Division. "This bill sets high standards and provides our schools with the resources to meet them."
The bill provides a 3% increase in each year of the biennium, both 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 school's 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 is the most balanced, comprehensive and far-reaching education bill to emerge from the House in well over a decade," added Pelowski, who is also a teacher at Winona Senior High School. "Over the next two years, the bill would provide funding increases of 7.2% for Rushford-Peterson, 8.1% for Houston, 7.8% for La Crescent, 7.8% for Lewiston, 8.4% for St. Charles, and 7.7% for Winona."
The bill also includes several reform proposals including creating an independent office of educational accountability and teacher development. In order to align with the Senate education bill, components of the Early Childhood bill, including funding for ECFE, Head Start, School Readiness and other provisions were also included to the bill.
"We have a bipartisan bill that will better educate our kids while preparing them for a global job market," added Pelowski.
The legislation now heads to conference committee to iron out differences with the Senate.
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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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