Garofalo: Budget Forecast, Paying Back Schools

Editor's note: State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B) represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield. This is his most recent newsletter.

BUDGET IMPROVES - MY PLAN TO PAY BACK SCHOOLS

The February budget forecast showed an improvement in our state's fiscal situation.  Because of this improvement the state will have over $1 billion dollars cash on hand and will automatically pay back the debt to schools by $318 million dollars.  I think it's reasonable that the state use some of the extra cash on hand to further pay down this debt to our schools.  I introduced a bill last week to reduce the debt by over $430 million dollars.  This bill passed the education committee with both Republican and Democrat support on a 14-5 vote.  I've attached a document which shows some of the history of this shift.  Governor Dayton has made some critical comments about my bill, but I hope he changes his mind. 

Do you support this idea?  Do you think the state should be paying back the shift/debt it owes schools?  Please let me know your thoughts on this bill. 

NEW MAP MEANS NO LAKEVILLE 

The courts released the new redistricting map a couple of weeks ago.  The old house district of 36B will now be identified as 58B.  The district is the same except Lakeville, Coates, and Welch Township are no longer part of this district.  I'm sorry to have lost the opportunity to represent some of you, but with an average legislative district being about 39,000 people and our district being over 50,000 - this was simply an issue of mathematics.  

KNOW SOMEONE WHO WANTS EXTRA MONEY FOR COLLEGE? 

Minnesota has a tradition of providing college level opportunities to high school students.  A new program passed into law last year is called the Early Graduation Achievement Act.  Under this program, a student who chooses to graduate from high school early can get a scholarship for up to $7,500.  I've enclosed two links which include frequently asked questions about the program and the application.  Feel free to share these links with a student who you think would benefit from the program. 

Here is a form with frequently asked questions.http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=041614&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestReleased&Rendition=primary 

Here is the applicationhttp://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=041546&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestReleased&Rendition=primary  

ABBY'S JOKE OF THE MONTH 

Q - Did you hear about the new restaurant on the moon?
A - Yes, everyone says it has great food...but no atmosphere. 

Remember - send your complaints about the jokes to my daughter - not me. :-) 

As always, it is an honor to serve as your State Representative.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or opinions.  Thanks!

Rep. Pat GarofaloChairman Education Finance Committee
District 36B
537 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
(651) 296-1069 
1-888-667-3337

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