Category: Education

May 13, 2008

HOUSE PASSES SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR
MINNESOTA K – 12 SCHOOLS

ST. PAUL, MN - In a strong display of bi-partisan support, the Minnesota House passed a supplemental funding bill for K – 12 schools today. By a vote of 97 to 35, the House elected to provide $49 million in new state aid to Minnesota schools, a funding increase amounting to an additional 1% for 2009.

"Higher gas prices, higher energy costs, higher food prices and unfunded mandates have all stretched school budgets to the breaking point," said State Representative Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple Valley). "This bill recognizes those pressures and provides some common-sense relief to bridge some of that funding gap."

The bill calls for every school district in the state to get a $51 dollar increase per student, distributed equally and across the board. Districts would also have additional short-term flexibility to meet urgent needs by allowing them to make a one-time only transfer of $51 per student from the district's capital budget reserve account to the district's general operating fund.

The bill is funded using a combination of unencumbered Q-Comp funds and budget cuts at the Department of Education that were recommended by the Governor. Madore pointed out that Q-Comp funding is not being eliminated and that all schools currently using Q-Comp or who had submitted a plan to the Department of Education by March 20 to begin Q-Comp participation – including District 196 - will be funded if approved.

"In no way are we eliminating Q-Comp – we're just suspending it temporarily," said Madore. "Quite frankly, sending this money to schools seems like a much better idea than leaving money on the table. Kids only have one shot at 5th grade or social studies and we shouldn't compromise the quality of their education."

HF6 was sent immediately to the Senate where it was expected to pass later in the evening, and will then be sent to the Governor. If the bill is vetoed, Madore indicated her hope that an attempt at a veto override would come before the end of the session.

"We just got a report that says more than one-third of Minnesota's 340 school districts are considering budget cuts totaling more than $104 million, so it would be far preferable to have the Governor on board when it comes to supporting our schools," said Madore. "But short of that, this bill is a good way to provide short-term relief for every district in Minnesota struggling with rising costs, budget cuts and an over-reliance on property taxes to pay for basics."

Category: Legislative Review

BILL TO COMPENSATE I-35 BRIDGE SURVIVORS PASSES HOUSE

In a bi-partisan demonstration of support, the Minnesota House has approved a fund to compensate survivors of the I-35W Bridge collapse. Passed on a 127-5 vote, the bill creates a $38 million fund to help meet survivors' outstanding medical costs, long-term disability needs, lost wages, and other damages that resulted from the bridge collapse.

"The bridge collapse last summer was a tragedy unlike any other in Minnesota's history," said Rep. Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple Valley). "While we can never change the events of the day, we can with this bill, provide survivors with the resources they need to move forward and begin to heal."

The $38 million compensation fund allows each victim to receive up to $400 thousand out of a $28 million primary fund. A supplemental $12.64 million fund will be available for the most severely injured to recover uncompensated medical expenses, long-term health costs, and lost wages. $750,000 will be appropriated for administrative expenses, and $610,000 will be directed to Waite House – the community organization supporting children who were on a bus when the I-35W Bridge collapsed. A three-member panel of special masters will be appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court this summer to appropriate funds to survivors and victims families. By opting into the Fund, survivors agree to waive their right to sue the state for compensatory damages.

"By passing this bill, with input from so many of the survivors and families, we're taking a responsible approach to recognizing their needs and protecting the interests of the state," said Madore. "It's a good step in the process of helping survivors and Minnesota begin to recover from this disaster."

The bill was signed into law this past week.