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State Representative Kathy Brynaert
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3248
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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FIRST HOUSE BILLS FOCUS ON THE BASICS Reps. Brynaert and Morrow co-authors on key bills for education, property tax relief
ST. PAUL – Representatives Kathy Brynaert (DFL- Mankato) and Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter) joined their colleagues in the House today to roll out the first bills to be introduced in the legislative session. The bills all reflect the "stick to the basics" agenda the new majority promised, focusing on the key issues of a great education for our kids, access to affordable health care and lower property taxes.
Reps. Brynaert and Morrow are both co-authors of several of the bills, including one that will fund voluntary all-day kindergarten for every school district in the state, as well as a bill that restores funding for Early Childhood Family Education to the level it was before the cuts of 2003. The proposed legislation will raise the per pupil funding from $112 to $120 per child.
"Quality early childhood programs are critical to giving kids a good start when they enter kindergarten and as they continue their schooling," said Brynaert. "The research is clear: Early childhood and all day K are essential investments for our children.
There is no greater investment we can make."
A third education bill increases the per pupil funding formula for K-12 by 3% in both 2008 and 2009.
Brynaert and Morrow are also co-authors on a bill that will provide permanent tax relief to property owners statewide.
"For the past few years, the state budget has been balanced with painful cuts to schools, cities, and counties," said Morrow. "As a result, property taxes have gone up at an alarming rate. I am pleased that the House will tackle this issue early in the session."
The property tax relief bill addresses the recent increases right at the source through:
· Increasing Local Government Aid
· Replacing school levies with state aid:
· Increasing Market Value Credits for homestead and agricultural properties: Raise the maximum market value that qualifies for the credit. Include an inflationary increase.
· Increasing the homeowners and renters property tax refund: increases both level of income for qualification and the credit amounts.
· Increasing County Aid.
Another top priority for the two freshmen legislators is affordable and adequate health care for every Minnesotan. As a first step toward that goal, they are co-authors of a bill that will provide health care for every child in Minnesota.
"It is simply not acceptable to tell a parent their child cannot receive the medical treatment they need because they don't have insurance," said Brynaert. "A healthy child is the first step to an educated child."
Morrow said he is very gratified that his top three priorities are among the very first items that the House will address.
"The bills we rolled out today represent meaningful and significant progress on our basic needs in Nicollet and Sibley counties and throughout the state," said Morrow. "Swift passage of these bills into law will mark a positive new beginning in our state government – one that will provide a benefit to every Minnesotan."
The package rolled out today also included a "Lights On" bill that will continue state appropriations at the current level if the Legislature and Governor are unable to agree on a budget bill, and a tax bill that offers over $20 million in tax relief by conforming state tax laws to three federal tax laws.
"All of these proposals fit into the current budget projections," said Morrow. "This legislation will help our cities, townships and counties, as well as our children and families."
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