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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
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MINNESOTA HOUSE DEMOCRATS UNVEIL EDUCATION PLAN PLAN WILL PUT A STOP TO CUTS TO CLASSROOMS AND TEACHERS AND INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
SAINT PAUL—Gene Pelowski joined dozens of other members of the House DFL Caucus today, along with students and parents holding signs calling for "strong schools" and "honest solutions," in supporting a plan that would fully fund our public education system in Minnesota, invest in our youngest learners, and set the state on a course to ensure success for all students.
The DFL plan would increase per pupil funding by 5% in each of the next two years. This includes $843 million total in new education spending, without the property tax increases and heavy reliance on shifts found in the Republican Omnibus Education Finance bill. In the Winona public schools, this would mean an additional $976 per student over the biennium, $299 per student more than in the plan put forward by the Republican House Leadership. That totals over $4 million more for the Winona schools.
"It is time for an honest solution to the budget crises experienced by our school districts," said Rep. Pelowski. "Our plan is the only one that will stop the downward spiral of cuts to our classrooms, teacher layoffs, and increasing class sizes. This proposal would bring significant new money into Winona and every other school district in the state"
The Democratic plan will also provide an additional 5% for special education in the second year of the biennium, dedicate funding for gifted and talented programs, and fund voluntary all-day kindergarten beginning in 2007. It also makes significant investments in early childhood programming.
"Earlier this year, 6,000 parents, educators, and concerned citizens rallied on the steps of the Capitol and called on our leaders to fully fund public schools," said Rep. Pelowski. "We heard them, and we found a way to get the job done in an honest and equitable way."
Mary Cicconi, Executive Director for the Parents United Network, a parent-led advocacy group for Minnesota Public Schools, was on hand to lend her organization's support for the House DFL plan.
"Our first priority in the state should be the success of our students," said Cicconi. "I know that for parents, we don't want to look back and see that our children's futures were sacrificed for some ill-advised pledge to a powerful special interest group."
The plan uses a balanced approach to revenue increases that includes a top income tax rate adjustment for Minnesota families earning over a quarter of a million dollars per year, cutting bureaucracy in state government, and closing foreign operating corporation loopholes. The plan also incorporates the Governor's revenue changes that the Senate passed as part of SF1209.
"We raise revenue by taking a fair, balanced, and transparent approach based on ability to pay," said Rep. Pelowski. "We don't shift the cost onto property taxpayers and pit school districts against each other. Most importantly, we stop the cuts to our students and classrooms."
District Revenue Increase Under DFL Education Plan:
District Biennial Increase Over Base Biennial Increase Over House
276 Minnetonka $7.998 million ($916 per pupil) $2.494 million ($286 per pupil)
281 Robbinsdale $15.398 million ($994 per pupil) $5.253 million ($341 per pupil)
332 Mora $1.929 million ($946 per pupil) $675,844 ($333 per pupil)
347 Willmar $4.676 million ($1020 per pupil) $1.675 million ($366 per pupil)
535 Rochester $17.909 million ($959 per pupil) $6.894 million ($369 per pupil)
659 Northfield $4.010 million ($917 per pupil) $1.234 million ($283 per pupil)
Highlights of the DFL Education Plan:
· 5% and 5% on the formula with no delinking ($230 million and $242 million)
· Voluntary all-day kindergarten beginning in FY07
· 5% increase in special education (aid, not levy) in FY07
· $6 per pupil in Gifted and Talented Revenue
· 4% adjustment for high gas prices in transportation sparsity
· ECFE at $130 beginning in FY06
· Community Education at $6 beginning in FY06
· $6.686 million in School Readiness
· $1.266 million Health and Development Screening Aid
· $7.668 million for Head Start
· $2.5 million for MN Early Learning Foundation (MELF)
· $50,000 for School Readiness Planning Grants
· $950,000 for School Readiness Assessment
· $3.411 million for Adult Basic Education
· $3 million for Intensive English for Refugees
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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