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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 PASSES COMPREHENSIVE E-12 EDUCATION FINANCE BILL
Anzelc Says It’s The "Best Education Bill In Almost 10 Years"
With a strong display of bi-partisan support, the Minnesota House passed its E – 12 Education Finance bill today on a vote of 119 to 13. Representative Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township), the only representative from Northeastern Minnesota to sit on the K-12 Finance Division, 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," Anzelc 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. 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.
The bill also contains increased investment in early education, including funding for ECFE, Head Start, and School Readiness.
"We know that early education makes a huge difference," Anzelc said. "For the first time in four years, we're moving forward for kids, not making cuts. "
Anzelc said that there was still room for improvement in the bill, particularly on the issue of declining enrollment and for districts situated in sparsely populated rural communities.
"This is the best education bill to come out of the House in almost ten years," he said. "But we need to do even better next time around."
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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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