Dear Neighbors,
The politicians in Washington are back at it again. As of 11 p.m. Monday night (midnight D.C. time), the federal government shut down. Democrats in the House and Senate with the support of several Republicans support a proposal to end the shutdown. A small minority of Republicans continue to demand a budget deal that dismantles the Affordable Care Act. As with many laws enacted in this country it will continue to be improved. Shutting down the entire United State Government is not the proper way to attempt to enact change in a particular law.
I share your frustrations about this unnecessary stalemate and agree that it is appalling what is occurring in Washington DC. (For more information on how the federal shutdown affects Minnesota, click here for an FAQ from MPR News.)
In stark contrast to the gridlock that has paralyzed Washington D.C., we’ve made great progress in Minnesota in recent months.
Minnesota received some more good news Monday when Minnesota Management and Budget announced that our schools were repaid an additional $636 million at the end of the 2013 fiscal year. Minnesota has now repaid nearly $2.6 billion of the $2.8 billion previously borrowed from schools under the budget passed after the 2011 state government shutdown.
From the start of the legislative session we said that paying back our schools was a top priority; our actions have backed that up. I heard from many of you loud and clear that you were tired of irresponsible budget gimmicks. Paying this back is the right thing to do.
The full release from Minnesota Management & Budget’s can be found here: Preliminary FY 2013 Closing Balance of $636 Million Allocated to School Shift Buy Back
Education received an increase of more than $600 million in our new budget, including the accelerated pay back of the money owed to schools. The budget also included funding of all-day kindergarten starting in the fall of 2014, $40 million for early childhood scholarships, and a two-year college tuition freeze.
This great news comes just after Minnesota added 12,200 jobs in August, pushing total jobs in the state over the pre-recession peak that was reached in February 2008, and less than a week after Minnesota was ranked eighth in the “Forbes 2013 List of the Best States for Business” rankings.
We’re making progress in Minnesota because we’re willing to compromise and work together to move our great state forward. It’s unfortunate this isn’t happening on the federal level — it’s hurting people’s lives and our economy. I only wish those in Congress would look to Minnesota as an example.
Spooky start to October
Deadview Cemetery’s “Grave Experience” will open its gates Oct. 4 for a 13-day run. The production, created by Cottage Grove’s Old Langdon School, will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October and October 31 and November 1.
The hours are 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and 7 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $7 per person. For more information, go to www.deadviewcemetery.com.
Fundraiser for dog park
The WAG farms Dog Park Association is holding a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 5, at the off-leash dog park, 9475 Glendenning Road in Cottage Grove.
Everyone who purchases a 2014 park calendar will have their pet’s photo taken and used in the calendar. Other activities include nail trims, displays by local pet businesses and merchandise and treats for everyone.
Dan Schoen