by the numbers
4,227
Doors knocked
1006 lbs
food donated
to food shelves
Legislative Update - May 13, 2008
Friends and Neighbors-
Near the end of session, we often convene a House session, then recess for further negotiations between the Speaker and the Governor. Today was one of those days.
This morning, we took up and debated House File 6, the 2008 Education Funding Bill. The bill will free up existing state funds and allocate $51 in one-time funding for every student in Minnesota's schools for next year, a total of $48.6 million. The 2008 bill will provide "bridge funding" until we can adopt our School Funding Reform Bill next year. For Chisago County schools it will bring:
- $226,654 for North Branch
- $55,205 for Rush City
- $430,008 for Forest Lake
- $207,802 for Chisago Lakes
Districts that have a capitol operating balance can also use $51 per student of this balance for classroom purposes for 2008-9 as well.
After debating the bill for 2 hours this morning, Governor Pawlenty personally called Speaker Kelliher at her desk in the House Chamber. He asked us to delay passage of the bill and negotiate again, which we did while the House, Senate and the Governor continued to talk. Members of the House remained in essence "on call" to return to debate on the House Floor pending discussions toward a final budget agreement including our Education Funding Bill.
This evening, it became clear that Governor Pawlenty had shifted his positions on budget cuts and a shared budget solution is not yet possible. After an update from Speaker Kelliher, we reconvened and passed House File 6. The bill passed 97-35 on a bipartisan basis.
The Governor has suggested he will veto the bill; Given that threat, and the importance of education funding in Minnesota, many of us pushed to pass the bill in both the House and the Senate and delivered to the Governor's desk tonight.
(warning: civics lesson about to come...)
According to the State Constitution, the Governor will have 3 days to act on the bill. The 3 days are calculated from the date the bill is delivered to his desk. Thus, by presenting the bill to him tonight, the Governor must sign or veto the bill by the end of the day on Friday. We will have at least one more day (Saturday and/or Sunday) to override the Governor's veto should he make that decision.
Though there may be partisan political pressure from the Governor and from GOP party leaders, I do hope that all 13 Republican House members will stand up for our students and vote to override a veto, should it happen.
However, there is a chance that Governor Pawlenty will indeed sign House File 6. I hope that you will email or call him to share your thoughts on the bill. His email is tim.pawlenty@house.mn and his phone number is (651) 296-3391 or toll free (800) 657-3717.
We may yet tonight take up House File 1812, the budget balancing bill. We may also take up House File 3149, the omnibus 2008 tax bill that will close several corporate loopholes and bring significant property tax help for most Minnesotans.
As usual, your thoughts, comments, questions and ideas are welcome and encouraged.
My best,
Jeremy
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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