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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
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Rep. Norton Encourages Local Schools to Apply for Safe Routes to School Grants
(ST. PAUL) — State Representative Kim Norton (DFL – Rochester) is encouraging area elementary and middle schools and their partner groups to apply for Safe Routes to School grant funds. The grant money will go to projects designed to help more children safely walk and bicycle to school. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, and are available at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes/.
The “Safe Routes to Schools” program and funding was included in the Omnibus Transportation bill and supported by Rep. Norton.
“The safety issues associated with children who walk and bike are well known and are something we should address,” said Rep. Norton. “Sadly, one-fourth of all children’s traffic fatalities and 15 percent of all children’s traffic injuries occurred when they were walking or biking. Safe Routes to School is designed to address these tragic statistics and improve our public safety.”
The grant program was also the key recommendation of the Minnesota Legislature’s Childhood Obesity Working Group, which Rep. Norton co-chairs with Rep. Bob Dettmer (R – Forest Lake).
If left unchecked, by the year 2020 nearly 31 percent of the overall increase in Minnesota’s health care costs will be due to projected increases in obesity alone. And if current trends continue, treating Minnesota’s overweight and obese populations will cost Minnesota an additional $3.7 billion by 2020.
“This program will not only help keep children safe when biking and walking to school, it will encourage increased physical activity and exercise,” added Rep. Norton. “By reducing childhood obesity we will benefit taxpayers, health insurance policy holders, and those who pay into the health care system.
“The Safe Routes to School program been endorsed by a number of organizations and received strong bipartisan support at the legislature. I wholeheartedly encourage our local schools and partner organizations to apply for these grants. This program could have a positive impact for so many Minnesotans.”
If you have additional questions about the application process, visit www.mndot.gov/saferoutes/. You can also contact Rep. Norton at (651) 296-9249, by mail at 233 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.kim.norton@house.mn.
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- 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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