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State Representative Chris Swedzinski
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5374
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
News from Representative Swedzinski
Education shifts are not new in Minnesota. The first shift in education aid payments dates back to 1972 when the state set the shift to a 90/10 ratio. In the years since 1972 shifts have been occurring, and because of the budget deal struck last year between the Legislature and the governor, the shift was set at 60/40.
According to Minnesota Management and Budget in 2009 the Legislature set the shift at 73/27 and in 2010, under the DFL controlled Legislature who expanded it to a 70/30 shift, which amounted to about $2 billion borrowed from schools. In 2011 the Legislature and governor agreed to borrow an additional $700 million, about half of which is already set to be repaid.
The $1.2 billion budget surplus allows us to put kids first and continue paying back the education shift. House File 2083 passed the House floor on Thursday and would allow the state to dip into budget reserves to pay back more of the K-12 education shift. This bill would allow the state to tap $1 billion of cash in reserves to pay back the additional $430 million in the education shift passed as part of the budget agreement with Governor Dayton last session. We would also be able to make the first repayment of the $2 billion education shift the DFL legislature passed in 2010.
With this bill the state would be paying back all of last year’s shift and starting payments on the debt left on schools by the previous DFL-controlled Legislature. We need to keep in good financial health, and this is a good step in that direction, while also making our kids a priority.
If you haven’t taken my online survey I would encourage you to participate here.
If you have any legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 651-296-5374 or email me at rep.chris.swedzinski@house.mn
Sincerely,
Chris
News Items
- Legislative Update from Rep. Chris Swedzinski - (Posted: Apr 26 2013 12:00AM)
- Legislative Update from Rep. Chris Swedzinski - (Posted: May 3 2013 12:00AM)
- REP. SWEDZINSKI AND SEN. DAHMS: GIVE RAISES TO THOSE WHO CARE FOR OUR ELDERLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED - (Posted: Apr 22 2013 6:48PM)
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