Kim Norton: Legislation News
03/27/2008
Dear Neighbors,
Just over five weeks into the 2008 Legislative Session, a lot has been accomplished already. Committee deadlines drove an ambitious schedule last week – a pace we maintained throughout this week as well. Some committee hearings have lasted late into the night as lawmakers in both bodies discussed and took action on a number of important bills from education, to health care, to mortgage foreclosures, and more. Due to the tight timelines and state budget forecast, many bills will not get heard this year and will have to wait until the next biennium for action.
A conference committee of the House and Senate has also been meeting throughout the last several weeks to create a final version of this year's bonding bill. Our goal as a Legislature is to create a fiscally responsible package capable of building and restoring capital projects of statewide importance and economic significance throughout Minnesota. The bill is expected for a floor vote sometime next week.
The state is facing a $935 million budget deficit due to Minnesota's current economic slump. Governor Pawlenty revealed his plan to balance the budget last week. There seems to be statewide concern about the impact of the suggested budget cuts, and I too have heard from many constituents. The Legislature is taking the Governor's proposal seriously, and committees have already begun discussing the Governor's proposal and alternative options. Much of our work in the coming weeks will focus on how to balance the budget in a responsible, and fiscally prudent manner.
There is still a lot of important work left to do this session. Please continue contacting me with your questions, comments, or concerns by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at . I look forward to hearing from you.
Kim Norton
State Representative
HOUSE BILL WOULD PROVIDE $49 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS
Last week, in a hearing of the House Education Finance Committee, a bill (HF 2475) was introduced to direct $49 million in additional funding to K-12 schools statewide in 2009. If this new supplemental budget initiative becomes law, Rochester School District #535 stands to gain an additional $940,234 in 2009 to fund basic school operations.
HF 2475 calls for every school district in the state to receive additional one-time state education aid for 2009. Districts would get a $51 dollar increase per student, distributed equally, and across the board to every district in the state. They would also have additional short-term flexibility to meet urgent needs because the bill allows a one-time only transfer of $51 from the district's capital budget to the district's general fund.
Last year, we provided an additional $800 million to help stabilize school funding in Minnesota. Still, years of under-funding, budget cuts, declining enrollment, unfunded mandates from the federal government, and an increased reliance on property taxes to fund basic school operations have left a looming gap in funding not fully covered by last year's increase.
In the midst of a budget deficit, the Legislature is facing some challenging decisions, and budget cuts will have to be made in some areas. But Rochester students deserve access to a top-notch education no matter the economic forecast – they only get one shot at a good academic foundation. We can't negotiate with their future.
HF 2475 would do more than provide additional stability for schools in 2009. It would also set the stage for significant, comprehensive education funding reform efforts in the coming legislative session. Creating a fair system of education funding will take hard work, creativity, and a solid commitment to progress. If such a plan is enacted next session, we will once again regain our status as a national leader in education, and provide our students with the best education available well into the future.
SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN
Thank you for taking the time to share your views by filling out my 2008 legislative survey. 184 constituents responded to the survey that was mailed to 4 precincts and made available at a number of local events. Their responses showed that health care is the most important issue for citizens of District 29B, followed closely by education and transportation. Lowering property taxes was ranked as the least important issue for Rochester constituents. Additional results of the survey are listed below:
1) Which reform measures would you support to improve education in Minnesota? (check as many as you wish)
Since multiple answers were allowed, percentages will add up to more than 100%.
· Fairer, more stable funding for schools………………………………….……60%
· Smaller class sizes……………………………………………………….……50%
· Reforms to help schools pay for rising health care costs………………….….42%
· Improvements for educational accountability measures…………….………..39%
· Investments in extracurricular and after-school programs………….………...28%
· Providing incentives for students of color to pursue teaching……….…….….26%
· Closing the achievement gap……………………………….…………………24%
· Making school buildings more energy efficient…………….………………...24%
2) Should the state increase its investment in Early Childhood and Family Education?
· Yes……………………………………………………….……………………67%
· No……………………………………………………….…………………….33%
3) Should roads and bridges rely on local property taxes for construction and maintenance?
· Yes……………………………………………………….……………………17%
· No…………………………………………………….……………………….83%
4) Should Minnesota increase the gas tax by five cents to help keep roads and bridges safe and rely less on property tax payers?
· Yes……………………………………………….……………………………82%
· No…………………………………………….……………………………….18%
5) Should the state close a corporate tax loophole that allows a handful of companies avoid paying their fair share of taxes?
· Yes…………………………………………………………………………….94%
· No………………………………………………………………………….……6%
6) How important is health care reform for you and your family?
· Very Important…………………………………………………………..……54%
· Somewhat Important……………………………………………………..…...30%
· Not Important…………………………………………………………….…...15%
7) Which of the following health care reform efforts do you support? (check as many as you wish)
Since multiple answers were allowed, percentages will add up to more than 100%.
· Allowing small business owners to buy into a state health care plan………..60%
· Providing health care for all Minnesota children……………………….……44%
· Providing universal health care for every Minnesotan………………….……44%
· Creating a single-payer system……………………………………………….21%
· Taking no action and letting the market continue its course…………………10%
8) What should the Legislature do about increasing property taxes?
Since multiple answers were allowed, percentages will add up to more than 100%.
· Increase transportation funding to reduce reliance on local property taxes…47%
· Provide adequate school funding to reduce reliance on school levies………43%
· Direct revenue from a new 4th income tax bracket to property tax relief…..44%
· Restore local government aid………………………………………………..23%
· Take no action……………………………………………………………….10%
9) Which of these local bonding projects do you consider most important for Rochester?
· Steam Pipes from Waste to Energy Burner…………………………………33%
· Workforce Center Co-Location at RCTC…………………………………..19%
· Regional Safety Training Center……………………………………………14%
· Lake Zumbro Dredging Study………………………………………………10%
· Civic Center Expansion………………………………………………………8%
· National Volleyball Center……………………………………………………2%
BILL BRIEF
HF 2628: Teen Provisional License - Graduated Licenses for our newest drivers for the first year. Passed out of Public Safety (already passed through both transportation committees) and is on it's way to the floor for a vote and/or inclusion in the Transportation Policy Omnibus bill.
HF 2426: TEFRA Notification Modified - Requiring change from 3 mos. to 6 mos. for notification of disability re-determination. Passed out of Health Care Policy and is on it's way to the floor for a vote (pending fiscal note of $0).
HF 3885: Teachers of Color Grants - Provides for $200,000 of 2008 Pell Grant excess to be directed towards Jr/Sr year scholarships for low income, students of color to encourage them to enter the teaching profession. Passed committee and awaiting inclusion the Higher Ed Omnibus Bill.
HF 3151: LifeTrack Grant - Small grant to continue the successful IMAA Job Skills training program. Passed committee and is being considered for inclusion in the Higher Ed Omnibus Bill.
HF 4001 and HF 4031: Small Business Health Care Bills. They have not received a hearing to date.
HF 2623: MCA test results received by first week of May. Being considered for inclusion in the E-12 Education Policy Bill.
HF 3467: Charter School Teacher notification of return date modified to Feb. 15. Passed E-12 Education Policy and awaits a floor vote.
HF 3579: DHS Technical Changes to Continued Care. Passed Health Care Policy Committee and is on the General Register awaiting floor vote.
- Kim Norton
House of Representatives-29B