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State Representative Tim Faust
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0518
For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873
NEWS COLUMN
LEGISLATIVE SESSION SHOULD BE ABOUT COMMON GOALS
I'd like to give you an update on what's been going on at the Legislature. The Governor recently gave his annual State of the State address to the Legislature to lay out his goals for the session. Now whenever I'm playing sports, if the opposing team makes a good play I will tell them. So I applaud the Governor for addressing education funding, health care costs, veterans, and government accountability. I share these priorities. It's a positive sign that our discussions won't be about where we want to go; instead they'll be about how we get there.
K-12 education was a key part of the Governor's speech. We both agree that education needs an increase in funding and schools need to be accountable. However, I disagree with his view that teachers need to be inspired. Every teacher I've met has been someone who is there because of a love for teaching, the children, and a desire to make the world a better place. I also don't think we should tie significant state increases to stringent accountability standards. While there should be and is some accountability at the state level, our local school boards are the best judges.
I've co-authored several bills to improve our schools. The first ensures predictable state education funding; giving districts the ability to budget more efficiently. Another provides extra state money for schools that offer voluntary all-day kindergarten, again lessening the budget burden.
I also want to give the Governor credit for stressing the importance of early childhood learning. While we differ on the best way to do it, we can both agree that early learning opportunities need to be expanded. Every teacher and education expert will tell you that if we invest in children early, the payoff will be priceless.
The first part of the Governor's speech focused on the need to support our veterans and members of the military. I agree 100-percent and have signed on as co-author to his entire bi-partisan agenda in this area. The first part of the plan, the Minnesota GI Bill, provides up to $10,000 in tuition for any veteran, member of the military, or dependent of any veteran killed or disabled on duty. That tuition is valid at any Minnesota university, college, or technical school. The plan will also exempt 100-percent of any military or military pension pay from state income taxes. It's the least we can do for those who sacrifice so much.
Finally, I want to address government and fiscal accountability, and there's no better place to start than me. House leadership recently increased the per diem; the money legislators receive for daily expenses during session. I've decided not to take that increase, and instead take the amount my predecessor took.
I want to make sure you stay connected while I'm at the Capitol for the next few months. Please feel free to e-mail me at rep.tim.faust@house.mn, call at 651-296-0518, and visit my website at www.house.mn/8b to read the latest news and subscribe to e-mail updates.
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News Items
- Kyle Herman Bill Signed into Law - (Posted: 2010-04-28 00:00:00)
- To Students, Teachers, and Parents: Have a great year - (Posted: 2009-09-14 00:00:00)
- LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES - (Posted: 2009-05-19 00:00:00)
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