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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE EDUCTION BILL GOOD FOR SCHOOLS, STUDENTS
St. Paul, MN With a strong display of bi-partisan support, the Minnesota House passed its E 12 Education Finance bill on Wednesday on a vote of 119-13. Representative Patti Fritz (DFL-Faribault) said the bill is a good step forward for education in Minnesota.
"This is easily the most balanced education bill to emerge from the House in a decade," Fritz said. "Minnesotans want world class schools in all communities regardless of property wealth or income. Our kids need Governor Pawlenty's help and commitment to the revenue needed for implementation."
The bill provides $13.947 billion in funding over the next two years, 9.4% over the previous biennium and 1.4% more than the Governor's proposal. It gives 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.
Local schools would receive the following increase in funding in the next two years:
· Faribault - 8.9%
· Blooming Prairie 8%
· Medford - 9.3%
· Owatonna - 7.8%
· Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 8.1%
The legislation provides $152 million for a combination of technology upgrades, innovation and reform proposals, gifted and talented programs and funding for school libraries. It includes increased investment in early education, including funding for ECFE, Head Start, and School Readiness.
"We know that early education makes a huge difference," Fritz said. "For the first time in four years, we're moving forward for kids, not making cuts."
Fritz said she is also pleased that the bill includes $125 million in property tax relief using a combination of referendum and debt service equalization aid and funding for operating capital.
"For too long, we have asked property owners to pay more than their fair share of the cost of educating our kids," said Fritz. "This bill restores our state's commitment to education."
The House Education bill will now move to Conference Committee, where any differences with the Senate bill will be worked out. From there, it will go to the Governor for his signature.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Lets Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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