Dear Neighbors,
The House heard and approved a number of omnibus bills this week. Included in this week’s update are recaps on the Education, Higher Education, Taxes, and Health and Human Services bills.
Student Focused Education Bill Passes House
On Saturday, April 25, the House passed the Education Omnibus bill (House File 844) authored by Education Finance Committee Chairwoman Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie). In total, the budget bill spends $16.867 billion for Fiscal Years 2016-17, a $1.06 billion increase over current spending and includes a number of reforms to empower teachers and schools, give flexibility to school districts, prioritize early childhood learning and provide fairer funding.
Included in the bill is a provision that I authored that assists pre-kindergarten education programs in school districts that border neighboring states, including the Browns Valley School District.
Another component of the bill is a $178 statewide increase in biennial per pupil funding. That breaks down to a $166 increase for the metro area, $193 for Greater Minnesota and $168 for Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The bill also prioritizes early childhood learning with a $30 million increase for early learning scholarships and a $9.5 million increase for school readiness aid.
Additionally, the bill also works to tackle Minnesota's achievement gap by providing funding increases for Reading Corps, extended time support and Success for Future Grants. Furthermore, the bill provides ACT reimbursements to ensure that the price of college entrance exams is not an obstacle to achieve the dream of a higher education.
Finally, the bill empowers teachers, students and schools by reducing student testing, reforming the seniority-only policy for teacher retention, streamlining and clarifying the out-of-state teacher licensure process, reducing the number of mandated standardized tests, and by allowing districts to tap community experts for vocational, technical and career education programs.
Minnesota has outstanding teachers and schools. This bill works to build on our state’s educational success to ensure that every child, regardless of zip-code, has the opportunity to receive a world-class education.
Higher Education Bill, Including Funding for Upgrades at University of Minnesota-Morris
The Higher Education Omnibus Bill was approved on Monday. Included in the bill are provisions to lower student debt, get students career-ready, and improve student safety on campus. The bill passed Monday as a part of the House Higher Education omnibus bill on a bipartisan vote of 72-55.
Also included in the bill is a $1.4 million appropriation to the University of Minnesota-Morris for on-campus upgrades and renovations. The appropriation includes:
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$450,000 to be used to renovate classrooms and small group spaces in the division of education
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$250,000 to be used to improve classroom seating, technology, acoustics, and digital capabilities.
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$300,000 to be used to upgrade digital and wireless capabilities in the campus library.
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$400,000 to be used to upgrade the college athletics and recreation facilities.
Our student-focused higher education budget is an effort to lower student debt, get students career-ready and improve student safety on campus. I am also encouraged that we included important funding for renovations and improvements at the University of Minnesota-Morris campus. These upgrades will ensure that the university continues to be a leader in education here in western Minnesota.
Tax Relief for Minnesota Families
Last Wednesday evening, the House passed this year’s tax omnibus bill. Included in this bill is nearly $2 billion in tax relief for Minnesota families, college students, aging adults & veterans, farmers and job creators & innovators.
The bill, which ended up passing with bipartisan support, proves that we can fund the priorities that matter most to Minnesotans while also offering tax relief. Highlights in the bill include:
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2,045,000 Minnesotans could receive relief through a NEW state version of the personal or dependent exemption on tax returns equal to 25 percent of the federal exemption.
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366,500 aging adults living on fixed income could receive relief from the phasing-out of the tax on social security.
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240,000 farmers could receive relief through a property tax credit that reduces their disproportionate share of school district debt service.
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130,000 families with pre-kindergarteners could receive relief through the expansion of the education deduction to include pre-kindergarten expenses.
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109,500 college students could receive student loan debt relief through a NEW tax credit for principal and interest loan payments on student loans.
Investing in our Nursing Homes
A top priority for House Republicans this session is improving aging adults’ quality of life. The Health and Human Services bill provides real reform to facilities that care for our elderly by implementing a statewide rate of reimbursement – which will strongly assist nursing homes in Greater Minnesota, improve the wages of care providers and provide a permanent solution to statewide nursing home needs.
The following totals represent the annual change in Medicaid and estimated private revenue for the 2016 rate year if the House legislation is signed into law by Governor Dayton:
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Graceville – Essentia Health Grace Home: $684,003
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Ortonville – Northridge Residence: $1,024,055
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Evansville – Evansville Care Center: $251,234
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Barrett – Barrett Care Center Inc.: $227,924
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Starbuck – Minnewaska Community Health Services: $530,546
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Morris – West Wind Village: $990,201
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Browns Valley – Browns Valley Health Center: $259,487
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Wheaton – Traverse Care Center: $228,466
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Breckenridge – St. Francis Home: $1,540,158
Also included in the bill is a one-time five percent cost of living adjustment for home and community based care workers.
As always, please feel free to contact my office by phone at 651-296-4929 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn to discuss any questions you may have regarding state government. I would love to speak with you about ways we can make Minnesota better. It is an honor and privilege to represent you and your family. I am here to be YOUR voice in St. Paul and it is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
Jeff