ST. PAUL, Minn. – Today, the House Education Finance Committee unveiled their omnibus bill, authored by Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie). The budget bill spends $16.867 billion in total for Fiscal Years 2016-17 and includes a number of policies that empower teachers and schools, give flexibility to school districts, prioritize early childhood learning and provide fairer funding.
"We put together our Education Omnibus Bill with the idea that every Minnesota child deserves a world-class education," said Rep. Loon. "From prioritizing our youngest learners with early learning scholarships to increasing per pupil funding to tackling the achievement gap, this bill works to ensure that every Minnesota student has the opportunity for academic success."
One major component of the bill is a $179 statewide increase in biennial per pupil funding. That breaks down to a $163 increase for the metro area, $196 for Greater Minnesota and $158 for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Additionally, the bill prioritizes early childhood learning with a $30 million increase for early learning scholarships and a $9.5 million increase for school readiness aid.
Third, the bill works to tackle Minnesota's achievement gap by providing funding increases for Reading Corps, extended time support and Success for Future Grants. Furthermore, the bill provides ACT reimbursements to ensure that the price of college entrance exams is not an obstacle to achieve the dream of a higher education.
Finally, the bill empowers teachers, students and schools by reducing student testing, reforming the seniority-only policy for teacher retention, streamlining and clarifying the out-of-state teacher licensure process, and by allowing districts to tap community experts for vocational, technical and career education programs.
"Education is a top priority for Minnesotans, and this student-focused legislation not only provides more funding for our schools, but also offers research-based reforms to ensure we're offering all students a quality, well-rounded education," added Rep. Loon.
The bill will receive hearings in the House Education Finance Committee this week.
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Jenifer Loon represents House District 48B, which includes most of the City of Eden Prairie, in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Loon encourages constituents to contact her with questions or opinions on any state or legislative issue. She can be reached via email at rep.jenifer.loon@house.mn and phone calls can be placed to her office at 651.296.7449. U.S. mail should be sent to Rep. Jenifer Loon, 449 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.