Sign up for updates!

Friends and Neighbors-

It's a busy day at the State Capitol. The Governor nominated a new commissioner for MnDOT, the House Tax Chairs proposed a $242 million property tax relief package, and both the House and the Senate are on the Floor passing legislation. More on these subjects below.

In other news, the Secretary of State announced the "Defenders of Democracy Day" at the Minnesota History Center on May 12 when the original "Dunlap Broadside" printing of the Declaration of Independence from July 4, 1776 is in town. On this day, the History Center will be reserved for veterans, active duty military and their families. My Military and Overseas Voting Bill was signed into law last Thursday, ensuring that these defenders of democracy will have their votes counted this fall. I'll have more on this in a future email...

NORTH BRANCH SCHOOLS BUDGET CHALLENGE
The North Branch Schools face deep budget cuts - $2.9 million - for the 2008-9 school year. The board has been forced to contemplate increasing activity fees, cutting supply and maintenance budgets, and cutting dozens of staff and teaching positions.

The 2007 House Education Finance Bill received bipartisan support as one of the best Education Bills in recent history. Had the bill become law, North Branch schools would not be facing this deep budget deficit. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the Tax bill that would have paid for the Education Bill. Further, I authored a bill in 2007 to reform the state education funding formula and move North Branch from last-place in school funding; the tax bill veto also meant the reform bill could not be paid for in 2007.

As a result, North Branch schools are in a very touch position. But there is some hope for help this year, and in the long run.  The 2008 Budget Deficit Bill - House File 1218 - includes a one-time amount of "bridge funding" for our schools, $51 per student in every district. This will result in $226,654 of new funding for North Branch schools next year. [Read here for the rest of Chisago County districts: http://preview.tinyurl.com/4f2ld9 ]

The North Branch district has also applied for a "Q-Comp" staff development grant for 2008-9 and beyond. This grant would provide approximately $240,000 for new staff development efforts in North Branch. While the House and Senate use some unused Q-comp funding for the "bridge funding" for our schools, they have agreed to the House's cut-off date for applications, thus allowing North Branch's application to proceed.

As the budget agreement is being negotiated between the House, Senate and the Governor, it is imperative that the Governor's office hear from North Branch school supporters. The two most important issues currently are supporting the "bridge funding for our schools" as well as the House/Senate cut-off date for Q-comp applications for districts like North Branch.

I encourage you to call Governor Pawlenty and advocate for our North Branch schools in the final budget bill. An email and/or a quick hand-written note will also be welcome (there's no harm in doing all 3 - calling, emailing and writing). Here's the contact information:
Email: Tim.Pawlenty@State.mn.us
Phone: (651) 296-3391 or   (800) 657-3717
Mail: Office of the Governor;   130 State Capitol;   75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.;   St. Paul, MN 55155

Thanks for your help on behalf of our schools. This effort is a great example that good work at the Capitol is a partnership between legislators and the people we serve.

NEW MnDOT COMMISSIONER NOMINATED
The Governor announced the appointment of Tom Sorel as his choice to become the next Commissioner of Transportation.  To learn more about Mr. Sorel, check out his brief bio and his photo from his current position as the head of the Federal Highway Administration Division in Minnesota: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/mndiv/staff/sorel.htm 

Sorel has led the Federal Highway Administration's Minnesota office since 2005 and has worked for the federal department for almost three decades. He served as the Transportation Department's liaison during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. He has been with the FHA since the late 1970s.

His experience and current working knowledge of the transportation funding stream, as well as engineering and safety issues, bodes well for the state.

HOUSE DFL PROPERTY TAX REFORM PROPOSAL
House Tax Chairs Rep. Paul Marquart and Rep. Ann Lenczewski introduced a property tax relief plan that would benefit 95 percent of Minnesotans. The proposal will provide $242 in property tax help to those least able to pay because of their income. The cornerstone of the proposal is a new homestead credit refund for those whose property tax bills are most egregious because of their income.

I have looked at a staff review of the proposal; I am sure I will write more when the bill is brought to the House Floor.

FLOOR SESSION
We've had a productive afternoon on the House Floor. We are now hearing our 10th bill of the day, having passed legislation dealing with dangerous dog statutes; adoption procedures; public safety needs related to fingerprint databases; corporate tax status; and several others.

As always, I welcome your comments, questions, ideas and feedback. I hope you are enjoying the spring weather!

My best,
Jeremy

--------

Jeremy Kalin
State Representative - 17B
sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/17b

Contact me at the Capitol:
Rep.Jeremy.Kalin@House.mn
651.296.5377
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
St. Paul MN 55155

Contact me at home:
11629 Loftman Trail
North Branch, MN 55056
651-257-9861
Jeremy@Kalin.com