Dear neighbors,
Last November, Minnesotans went to the polls and sent a strong message. They want expanded economic opportunities for our families and businesses. They wanted us to deliver a budget that doesn’t include tricks and gimmicks. They want a world-class education system that will grow our state’s economy. They want us to put an end to years of borrowing billions from our schools and making massive cuts to higher education.
Gov. Dayton’s 2014-15 budget addresses many of those concerns. It will serve as a good road map as we move ahead with the process. But there are many things that I see in the budget that I like.
I was pleased to see that the governor wants to make long-overdue investments in education.
The budget recognizes that the key to a vibrant economy is a well-educated workforce. He allocates a total of $344 million for E-12 education or an average increase of $72 per student in 2014 and $339 per student in 2015. The budget provides $125 million for special education; $118 million increase in investments in the school funding formula, providing $52 in new money for every student in the state; $44 million for Early Childhood Education, allowing more than 10,000 more children attend high quality child care and preschool, and $40 million for All Day Kindergarten. Higher education gets a much-needed $240 million investment: an additional $80 million in the Minnesota State Grant Program and $80 million for both the MnSCU System and the University of Minnesota.
Gov. Dayton also addresses the skyrocketing property tax rates that Republicans forced on local governments. Thanks in large part to the elimination of the Market Value Homestead Tax Credit and the massive cuts in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid, over the past 10 years property taxes across the state have skyrocketed by 86%. The Governor’s budget cuts property taxes by $1.4 billion over the next two years. It also provides a property tax rebate of up to $500 for Minnesota homeowners.
The Governor has given us a great starting point where we can continue the conversation with you about how we continue to make Minnesota one of the greatest places in the world to live and do business. I need to hear from you to help us make those critical decisions.
I am looking forward to hearing more about nuts and bolts of the budget, listen to my constituents and then making informed decisions on the particulars.
I encourage constituents to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4342 or by email at rep.dan.schoen@house.mn. Constituents can also visit my legislative page and sign up for email updates.
Dan Schoen