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  All public school children must have equal access to a high quality education regardless of where they live in Minnesota.

Legislative Update
A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts
June 3, 2011

If this is your first Legislative Update from SEE - Welcome!

For those who have been with us through the years - Thank you!

 
SEE publishes this Legislative Update weekly during the legislative session.
In This Issue
The fate of the K-12 education policy bill
Swirling numbers - what do they mean?
How do you make $3.6 billion in cuts?
What can you do?
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
The fate of the K-12 education policy bill

The Governor vetoed the education policy omnibus bill on Tuesday.  You can read his objections in the veto letter. 

 

 

This page on SEE's website has more information on the policy bill and other education related bills.

Swirling numbers - what do they mean?
The news this week is the escalating rhetoric between the DFL Governor and the GOP-controlled legislature.  Both are working to build public support for their positions and establish who is to blame for a potential government shutdown on July 1st if a budget agreement is not reached. 

 

It's confusing to make sense of all the numbers floating around on the budget proposals.  This MPR article does a good job at grounding the claims and portraying the positions of both the legislative leaders and the Governor.  

 

At the core is a $3.6 million gap in spending between the Governor and the legislature.  More detail is available. The legislature is adamantly behind the all-cuts solution.  The Governor adamantly wants new revenue to soften the cuts and is proposing $1.8 billion increase in income tax on the highest earners and $1.8 billion in cuts.  

The concern remains - both the Governor and the legislature are currently proposing to protect education funding.  The legislature would make $3.6 billion in cuts to other areas of government.  The Governor would increase taxes on the high wage earners and make cuts he can tolerate in other areas of government. Will a compromise result in cuts to our schools?   Without new revenue, this is likely the most foreseeable solution. 

How do you make $3.6 billion in cuts?

It's not easy!  Here is one scenario. 

If we . . .

·         Cut all kids from health care ($139 million) and

·         Eliminate all cash welfare ($145 million) and

·         Shut down 20% of nursing homes ($191 million ) and

·         Cut salaries 10% for all branches of government ($225 million) and

·         Eliminate all Local Government Aid ($1 billion) and

·         Close all state parks ($52 million) and

·         Eliminate House and Senate per diem ($4.2 million) and

·         Shut down 10 State college campuses ($146 million) and

·         Cut all state government operations by 50% ($1.75 billion)

AND ADD IT ALL UP:  It reaches $3.6 billion.

 
What can you do?
Public pressure may be the only thing that will force the Governor and the legislative leaders to agree to a budget solution.  Weigh into the conversation and let your legislators know how important education is to you and your family so they can carry that information to their leadership!
       
*Keep emailing or calling your legislators.  It's easy for them to get caught up in the politics at the Capitol and forget the bigger picture.  They need to hear from the average person in their districts and that's YOU!  Express your opinions on the following points:

·         Get the job done!   

·         Compromise! 

·         Protect education funding.  If we don't invest in our children and their schools today then we won't have the educated workforce to sustain prosperity tomorrow.   

 

If we are apathetic, our children and their educational opportunities will suffer!

 

Your email or phone call does matter!  Its the voice of many that can make a difference!

 

Click here to find out who represents you. 

 

Copy legislative leaders in any emails you may send:

 

rep.kurt.zellers@house.mn, rep.matt.dean@house.mn, sen.amy.koch@senate.mn, sen.geoff.michel@senate.mn, sen.tom.bakk@senate.mn, rep.paul.thissen@house.mn

 

Here is the link to Governor Mark Dayton's contact form.


*Forward this update on to your friends and ask them to contact their legislators as well!  Ask them to sign up to receive SEE's Legislative Updates so they too can be part of our network. 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Deb Griffiths

Director of Communications and Community Outreach

Schools for Equity in Education

612-309-0089

deb.griffiths@schoolsforequity.org

www.schoolsforequity.org