ST. PAUL – By a vote of 84-46, the Minnesota House of Representatives has approved legislation that continues last session’s historic investment in K-12 Education and includes a number of provisions that assist Greater Minnesota schools. State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) voted in favor of the measure.
“In 2015, the legislature approved $525 million in new funding for our schools, and now through some cost savings in other areas we are able to allocate another $56 million to our education needs,” Davids said.
Among the Greater Minnesota priorities in the bill, Davids said the legislation helps reduce the funding disparity between rural and Metro Area school and addresses the teacher shortage. It also provides $7 million in rural education broadband programs to boost access for students and teachers; $1 million for career and industrial certification incentives; and $900,000 for mobile career and technology education labs - bringing resources directly to rural students.
The comprehensive education legislation also includes a provision sponsored by Davids that would allow the Caledonia School District to make an early repayment of a capital loan.
“This is a good bill that prioritizes schools from all corners of the state – including southeastern Minnesota,” Davids said.
The education legislation now heads to the Minnesota Senate for further debate.