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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE BILL WOULD PROVIDE $49 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS
ST. PAUL Last week, in a hearing of the House Education Finance Committee, lawmakers introduced a new proposal (HF 2475) to direct $49 million in additional funding to K-12 schools statewide in 2009. Many lawmakers, including State Representative Kim Norton (DFL Rochester), see this new supplemental budget proposal as a necessary measure to keep schools afloat in the second year of the biennium.
"Schools all across the state, including Rochester, are struggling for a lack of funding," said Rep. Norton, who served on the Rochester School Board prior to her service in the Minnesota House of Representatives. "This bill will help meet the basic needs of schools throughout Minnesota, and fulfill our responsibility as a state to provide the resources necessary for delivering a high quality education for all Minnesota students."
HF 2475 calls for every school district in the state to receive additional one-time state education aid for 2009. Districts would get a $51 dollar increase per student, distributed equally, and across the board to every district in the state. They would also have additional short-term flexibility to meet urgent needs because the bill allows a one-time only transfer of $51 from the district's capital budget to the district's general fund.
Last year, the Legislature provided an additional $800 million to help stabilize school funding in Minnesota. Still, years of under-funding, budget cuts, declining enrollment, unfunded mandates from the federal government, and an increased reliance on property taxes to fund basic school operations have left a looming gap in funding not fully covered by last year's increase.
"We can't ignore the real and mounting challenges facing our schools," said Norton. "Last year's education package provided some additional stability. But if we're serious about maintaining a high quality education system in Minnesota, we need to pass this bill."
If this new supplemental budget initiative becomes law, Rochester School District #535 stands to gain an additional $940,234 in 2009 to fund basic school operations.
"In the midst of a budget deficit, the Legislature is facing some challenging decisions, and budget cuts will have to be made in some areas," said Norton. "But Rochester students deserve access to a top-notch education no matter the economic forecast. We can't balance this budget on the backs of our students; we can't negotiate with their future."
HF 2475 would do more than provide additional stability for schools in 2009. It would also set the stage for significant, comprehensive education funding reform efforts in the coming legislative session.
"To truly re-establish a world-class education system in Minnesota, we need a long-term plan that will completely reform the way we fund our schools," said Norton. "Creating a fair system of education funding will take hard work, creativity, and a solid commitment to progress. If such a plan is enacted next session, we will once again regain our status as a national leader in education, and provide our students with the best education available well into the future."
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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