ST. PAUL, MN – Yesterday, Governor Dayton released his 2013 budget proposal. The state is facing a $1.1 billion budget shortfall and owes our schools an additional $1.1 billion. The budget proposes providing a $500 property tax rebate to Minnesota homeowners, expands early childhood education, increases K-12 funding by $52 per student and invests $80 million in the Minnesota State Grant Program, helping an additional 5,000 Minnesotans to receive a college education.
State Representative Zach Dorholt (DFL-St. Cloud) released the following statement:
“I think the governor’s budget is a good starting point to working to balance the budget and grow Minnesota’s economy. It is time for a new approach to our state’s finances. We can no longer shift, shaft and spin—a common practice among former legislatures of borrowing money from other areas of the budget, spending unwisely and saying that the budget was balanced. Minnesota has had a budget deficit for the last eight out of ten years and we must structurally balance the budget without gimmicks.
“I am really pleased to hear of the focus on K-12 and higher education. Investing in our schools is essential to helping our kids succeed in a global economy. Providing more affordable and accessible higher education is long overdue.
“Rising property taxes are a big concern for our St. Cloud community. I am pleased that Governor Dayton wants to address this issue for Greater Minnesota residents and I look forward to working to provide direct property tax relief to homeowners.
“Over the coming weeks I will be learning more about the Governor’s budget proposal and I welcome your input as we work to close the budget gap and without borrowing or gimmicks.”
Rep. Dorholt can be reached by phone at (651) 296-6612 or by email at rep.zachary.dorholt@house.mn.
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