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State Representative Kathy Lohmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4244
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
E-Mail Update: School Shift Repayment and My Bills
Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday the House voted to completely pay back the 2011 K-12 education shift. In order to help understand this good news, please refer to the attachment for a visual. In sum, school funding shifts are used by both parties to improve the state’s budget in the short-term. State funding is set over a two year period, and the best formula is 90/10: 90 percent of schools’ funding is provided in the first year and the remaining 10 percent is allotted in the second year. This allows the state and our schools the flexibility to account for enrollment changes from one year to the next.
When we shift school payments, we really just delay state payments to a later date. It’s important to note, though, that schools still receive their same funding levels – we haven’t “stolen” from kids or our schools. Instead, they receive aid anticipation loans from a bank at a very, very low one half of a percent (.05%) interest rate.
In 2009 when the Republicans left the majority in the Legislature, the payment schedule was 90/10. Over the years, this dropped and was down to 70/30 when we regained the majority in 2011. During last session’s budget negotiations, Governor Dayton proposed a 50/50 shift, which would have been devastating to our charter schools. We compromised on a 60/40 shift as part of the solution to remedy our $5.1 billion state budget shortfall.
We have already been able to bring the payment schedule back to 64/36 with the $1.2 billion surplus that we have accrued since November. With this new legislation, we aim to not only pay back the 2011 school shift (bringing it back to 70/30), but we can start payments on the $2 billion debt to schools that was left by the previous Legislature. It is what’s right for our kids and keeps our state in strong financial health.
My Bills
I am currently working on three bills, and two are specific to our district.
House File 2868 would prevent the City of Oak Park Heights from having to contribute disproportional funds for the Stillwater Bridge. Oak Park Heights is a very small city (with less than 5,000 residents), and the Stillwater Bridge is a very big project. This bill simply begins the process of securing additional funding sources for the city.
The cities that make up the Lower St. Croix Valley Fire Department are charged with servicing all of the emergencies that happen on I-94 between Woodbury and Hudson. However, they don’t get reimbursed for their costs, and for a small community with a small budget, that amounts to a big problem. House File 2836 will help the fire department find funding to offset these expenses.
My third bill would add a marriage and family therapist to the Minnesota State Advisory Council on Mental Health. The council advises the Governor, Legislature, and state departments on policies, programs, and services affecting adults with mental illnesses and children with emotional disturbances. House File 1492 has bipartisan authorship, and legislators from both sides of the aisle agree we need this type of professional on the council.
As always, please feel free to contact me about issues pertaining to state legislation. It is an honor to serve District 56A, and I welcome your questions and comments.
Sincerely,
Kathy
News Items
- Community Update: Lily Lake Safety Concerns - (Posted: 2012-08-22 00:00:00)
- GOV. SIGNS REP. LOHMER'S HUMAN SERVICES EXPANSION BILL FOR CHILDREAN WHO ARE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING - (Posted: 2012-07-02 00:00:00)
- E-Mail Update: Happy Fourth of July! - (Posted: 2012-06-26 00:00:00)
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