State Representative Jeremy Kalin
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5377
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Posted: 3/28/2008
NEWS COLUMN
MAKING MINNESOTA STUDENTS A TOP PRIORITY
Minnesota is facing a $935 million budget deficit due to our state's recent economic downturn. Last year, the Legislature completed our work on time and under budget, leaving approximately $350 million in cash reserves, in addition to the state's rainy day fund. I am committed to balancing the budget responsibly, without raising general fund taxes to do so.
In 2003, when the state faced a larger budget deficit, the Legislature made deep cuts to public schools. Fortunately, in 2007, we restored nearly all of the cuts made five years ago. I am committed to fixing this year's budget without losing the ground we gained last year.
Every child in Minnesota deserves the same opportunities. That's why I authored the bipartisan School Funding Reform bill in 2007 to make Minnesota's outdated school funding formula fairer, providing millions more for Chisago County's schools. The bill was a casualty of the Governor's budget, but I will continue working to enact this much-needed reform.
Last year I was proud to vote for the House education bill, one of the best education packages in recent history. The bill included a 3 percent formula increase in 2007 and another 3 percent increase in 2008-09. Along with funding all-day, everyday kindergarten, the bill would have filled the gap in school funding left by costly special education mandates. Unfortunately, after negotiations with the Governor and Senate, this bill was scaled down dramatically.
Still, our final education bill increased school funding by $800 million for Minnesota schools statewide, and finally restored Early Childhood Education funding to pre-2003 levels. The bill provided sorely needed resources for our struggling Minnesota classrooms.
The unfair school funding system and the tough economy means tough times for Chisago County schools. North Branch School District #138 alone is confronted with a $2.9 million budget deficit next year. Class sizes will likely increase, and students will receive fewer opportunities today than we did a generation or two before them.
They deserve better.
That's why I am supporting a measure (HF 2475) that would provide $49 million (51 dollars per student) in additional school funding statewide in 2009. Funding would come from an unused surplus leftover in the state's Q-Comp funding program. HF2475 would provide:
· $226,654 for North Branch (District #138);
· $55,205 for Rush City (District #139);
· $430,008 for Forest Lake (District #831); and
· $207,802 for Chisago Lakes Area (District #2144).
The situation our schools are facing is a long-term problem that needs a solid, long-term solution. This year's short-term fix is a necessary step to set the stage for a comprehensive education reform measure in the coming 2009 Legislative Session.
We intend to move forward on the school funding reform proposal in 2009, to create a fairer, more stable source of funding for Minnesota students. Until then, we must weather this current deficit by making responsible decisions that provide the best education possible for our hard-working students.
Please contact me by phone (651) 296-5377 or email rep.jeremy.kalin@house.mn anytime.