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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: LEGISLATURE DELIVERED FOR MINNESOTANS ON TIME
ST. PAUL - Reflecting on the end of the 2007 legislative session, State Representative Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) said he was pleased with the session's results and finish.
"With Democrats back in the majority, this was the first budget session in eight years not to go into a special session," said Pelowski, a veteran of the Legislature. "We took a large step in putting Minnesota back on track through better Early Childhood, K-12, and Higher Education, expanded access to health care, and a commitment to renewable energy."
The final E-12 bill provides nearly $800 million in new money for Minnesota's schools over the next two years. It includes a significant increase in special education funding, an area that has eaten up many schools' budgets.
"With funding formula and special education increases, Houston can expect an increase of at least 4.6% and Winona can expect at least 6.3% more," said Pelowski, who is also an educator at Winona Senior High School. "These increases give our schools the tools they need to meet high standards and budget effectively."
Tuition increases at Minnesota's state colleges and universities will also be capped at no more than four percent.
"The era of double digit tuition increases is over," added Pelowski, a member of the House Education Finance Committee. "While I would have liked to cut the bureaucracy at the MnSCU central office to pay for a tuition freeze, I'm glad we're finally getting tuition under control for our students."
This year's health and human services bill will make health care more affordable and accessible.
"The health care bill will cover more than 30,000 children in the next few years, introduce new cost savings for all Minnesotans, and provide much needed 2% funding increases both this year and next year for nursing homes in Greater Minnesota."
Pelowski said the chances of the Winona local option sales tax sticking aren't good.
"We passed the provision as part of the tax bill Monday night. However, the Governor has indicated he may veto the bill because of another provision requiring state budget forecasts to once again consider inflation."
For many, 2007 will also be known as the energy session.
"Early in the session, we passed 25 percent by 2020 renewable energy standard," added Pelowski. "This year's energy legislation makes Minnesota poised to be a leader in biofuels research and fighting climate change. Renewable energy isn't just good for our natural resources, it means more jobs and investment."
This session, Pelowski took on a new role as Chairman of the House Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee with a mission to streamline and reform state government. Pelowski took the lead in abolishing the Department of Employee Relations.
"As part of a bipartisan effort with the Governor, DOER's functions will be folded into the Departments of Administration, Finance, and Health," said Pelowski. "By eliminating an unnecessary bureaucracy, we can save hundreds of thousands of dollars every year."
The Legislature will reconvene on February 12, 2008.
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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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