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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 PASSES BILL PROVIDING $940,000 FOR ROCHESTER SCHOOLS
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill (HF 6) tonight to increase education funding by $49 million in 2009. Rochester School District #535 stands to gain an additional $940 thousand dollars if the bill is signed into law. The measure passed with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 97 to 35.
"Rochester Schools, and schools across the state, are facing real financial difficulties," said Rep. Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester) who voted in favor of the bill. "By passing this important legislation, we can help meet the basic financial needs of schools, and continue to deliver a quality education for all Minnesota students."
HF 6 provides an additional $51 for every student in Minnesota. Much of this funding would come from unencumbered funding left on the table this year from the state's "Q-Comp" program - a pay for performance plan for teachers. Schools already participating in the program, and those that have already applied for this dedicated funding would not be affected by this initiative.
"At a time when schools are struggling to provide basic services to Minnesota students, and property taxes have been on the rise, it doesn't make sense to leave tens of millions of dollars of unused funds sitting in an account," said Rep. Norton. "The reality of the situation is clear - the state is facing a $935 million budget deficit. But our students shouldn't be forced to sacrifice their education to balance a budget. Passing this bill is imperative to maintaining a world-class standard of learning in Minnesota."
Minnesota schools facing particularly dire financial circumstances would also have additional short-term flexibility to meet urgent needs as 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 some additional dollars to help stabilize school funding in Minnesota. Still, years of under-funding, budget cuts, unpredictable 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, this bill must become law."
HF 6 would do more than provide additional stability for schools in 2009. It would also set the stage for significant, comprehensive education funding reform efforts, already underway, in the coming legislative session.
"Minnesota's school funding system needs comprehensive reform to provide long-term stability for schools across the state," said Norton. "But before we meet the long-term needs of schools, we need to make sure teachers have the resources in hand when the bell rings tomorrow."
A comprehensive education funding reform plan is in the process of being developed. Introduced by the House K-12 Finance Committee earlier this year, the proposal would significantly relieve the undue burden of skyrocketing property taxes, and provide every Minnesota student access to a world-class education. Hearings will be held throughout the interim on this education funding reform plan, before it is brought before the Legislature in 2009.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s 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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