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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Zachary Stephenson 651-268-1644
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HOUSE UNVEILS $919 MILLION K – 12 EDUCATION FUNDING PACKAGE FOR SCHOOLS
Anzelc Says Bill Is "A Great First Step"
House Democrats unveiled their K – 12 education bill today, delivering on a long-standing commitment to make education a top priority. Representative Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township) said the bill was a great first step toward responsible funding for Minnesota schools.
"Generation after generation of Minnesotans have placed a high priority on providing every child a quality education," said Anzelc, the only Representative from Northeastern Minnesota to sit on the K-12 Finance Committee. "In recent years, the state has moved away from that value. This bill is a great first step towards restoring Minnesota's educational system."
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 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.
Anzelc was especially pleased with the $125 million for significant property tax relief within the bill.
"Property taxes were never meant to be a primary source of funding our schools," said Anzelc. "Property taxes are regressive and punish schools in property poor regions like Greater Minnesota. Every child deserves a first rate education, no matter if they grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis or a small town in Northern Minnesota."
Anzelc said there is still more work to be done to help schools in declining enrollment districts, but he also noted that reforming Minnesota's education funding system is more than a one year task.
"We're dealing with eight years of neglect," he said. "You can't fix it all at once."
The K – 12 Finance Division will hear the bill Monday afternoon, and is expected to take action on it Tuesday.
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News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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