Dear friends,
Earlier this week, Governor Dayton released his 2013-2014 budget proposal. The state is facing $1.1 billion budget shortfall and owes our schools an additional $1.1 billion. We have had a budget deficit in the last nine of eleven years. The governor’s budget attempts to correct this issue by structurally balancing the budget, as well as investing in education and providing property tax relief. I am gathering more information about the proposals but wanted to share some highlights for the Mankato area.
The Governor’s budget proposal provides $240 million to higher education, including $80 million for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities including MSU-Mankato. The proposal allocates another $80 million to the State Grant Program, which will help to provide a college education to an additional 5,000 Minnesotans.
The budget also allocates $344 million for E-12 education and funding to schools by $52 per pupil. The proposal includes funding for special education programs, expands early childhood education (preschool) and provides funding for optional all-day kindergarten to school districts.
Minnesota has always been a leader in education. Some level of additional investment in these areas will help ensure that our children and grandchildren are prepared for today’s ever-changing job market. The context of these investments will be found over the next many weeks in our overall approach to achieving structural balance in the budget.
In addition to education funding, the Governor’s budget proposes $1.4 billion in direct property tax relief and provides a tax rebate of up to $500 for homeowners. The proposal increases Local Government and County Program Aid, also aimed at reducing property tax burdens in Greater Minnesota. We have seen property taxes rise for too many years and I look forward to working to address this issue.
Over the coming weeks I will be learning more about the budget proposals and working to responsibly balance the budget, improve education and improve Minnesota’s economy. Please contact me at anytime to share your input. You can reach me by phone at 651-296-3248 or by email at rep.kathy.brynaert@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Brynaert
State Representative
Mankato