To the editor:
Students in Northern Minnesota are off to one heck of a good start this school year. I’m proud of our youngsters for putting in the hard work needed to succeed in the classroom, on their sports teams and at their extracurricular activities.
We are all fortunate to live in a state with a historically strong commitment to public education. As a member of our state legislature, I share that commitment and take it very seriously, especially when it comes to the allocation of state resources.
Over the past two years, I supported a number of investments that I believe will benefit students of all ages for years to come, including new funding for all-day kindergarten, early childhood, hot lunches for kids from low-income families and a two-year college tuition freeze along with more financial aid. Those wise investments in our future marked an important departure from years past when the legislature made harsh cuts to education and borrowed billions from our school districts.
We can all cheer this progress, but we know we can do even better. We must. The economic vitality of Northern Minnesota depends on it.
Over the next two years, priorities at our state legislature must include:
-
Providing high-quality early childhood education for every 3 and 4 year old.
-
Expanding training programs at our community and technical colleges to equip workers with the skills and qualifications required to fill job openings.
-
Reducing student debt, making college more affordable and enhancing the curriculum and coursework available at Northern Minnesota’s public colleges and universities.
I am hopeful that Minnesota’s historical commitment to education will remain strong in the years ahead. All of us have the power to work together to make sure that each and every student is given an opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
Sincerely,
Tom Anzelc
State Representative, District 5B