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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Nick Zerwas (R)

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Legislative Update (April 12, 2013)

Friday, April 12, 2013

Dear neighbor,

 

After a week off in observance of the Easter and Passover holidays, the House came back into session last week. I enjoyed visiting with the Elk River School District Legislative Action Team in my office to discuss school district funding and policy issues. At the time, I was hopeful that my legislation that would have granted the Elk River School District its share of the metro area equity funding for all students attending Elk River schools was going to make it into the K12 education omnibus bill. However, I was very disappointed to discover this week that the House DFL leadership did not include my legislation in the omnibus bill.

 

Aside from the fact it lacks the provisions for the Elk River School District I had hoped it would contain, I have concerns with some of the proposals within the K12 education omnibus bill. I believe there is too much of a focus on creating new offices and centers when those dollars would be more wisely spent in the classrooms on student learning. I also do not like that his bill would attempts to make the legislature a statewide school board by imposing unfunded mandates on our school. We trust citizens to elect local school board members to set policies in place that work for local communities and school districts. One-size-fits-all solutions are barriers to the unique needs of students, parents, and local school districts.

 

On Wednesday, I was happy to welcome fifth graders from the Elk River School District to the Capitol. I always enjoy being able to talk to school kids about serving in the legislature and what I do to represent our community in St. Paul.

 

I will continue to keep you updated as the legislative session moves forward. Please feel free to contact me on any state issue. I can be reached via email at rep.nick.zerwas@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-4237. Mail can be sent to Rep. Nick Zerwas, 303 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

 

Please feel free to share this update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for my email updates by clicking here and putting in your contact information.

 

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Nick