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State Representative Barb Yarusso
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0141
For more information contact: Susie Merthan 651-296-2955
E-Update
2013 Session Update: Education and Bonding proposals released this week
April 11, 2013
Dear neighbors,
We are fast approaching the finance committee deadline of April 19 at the Capitol and several budget proposals have been released.
The House released the Omnibus Education Finance bill this week to provide funding mechanisms and policy initiatives for our state education system for the next two years. A main goal of the Education committees this session has been to find ways for Minnesota to produce “the world’s best workforce.” The result of this is a proposal that focuses on efforts to close the achievement gap, raise graduation rates and improve student career and college readiness.
Last week, I discussed the plan to fund all-day kindergarten. The Omnibus Education Finance bill also provides for $50 million in early learning scholarships. It includes plans for a new student assessment system and innovation grants. Perhaps most importantly, it increases per pupil funding by $209.
The Higher Education Omnibus bill was also released this week. This bill will freeze tuition at both the University of Minnesota (U of M) and the Minnesota State Colleges and University system (MnSCU). In addition, the bill calls for the largest investment in our state’s higher education system in over 10 years.
In addition to these education proposals, both the House and Governor released their bonding proposals earlier in the week. Bonding provides funding for statewide building and infrastructure improvements and invests in higher education, transportation, housing, economic development, clean water and wastewater systems.
Efforts are still underway to secure funding for road improvements around the TCAAP property. The House bill includes a total of $55 million for local roads and bridges across the state — $10 million more than the Governor’s recommendations. The TCAAP roads project is mentioned explicitly in the Governor’s bonding proposal but not in the House bill. The project must compete with a backlog of other road and bridge repair and improvement projects throughout the state. I will continue to advocate for the TCAAP project at the Capitol while these bills are being discussed.
Please feel free to contact me with your input on legislative issues. I invite you to stop by my office in St. Paul or to reach me by phone at (651) 296-0141 or by email at rep.barb.yarusso@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Barb Yarusso
State Representative
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