Dear Lakeville Neighbors,
Education Funding
Last week, I sent my update before the passage of our education funding bill, so I wanted to give you the details now. With our schools being so important to Lakeville, I know many in our area were tracking this legislation. In total, our bill would provide $1.1 billion in NEW education funding in our state. This is a sizeable investment to make sure our schools are properly funded.
$300 million will go toward proven early learning programs. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, our plan uses early learning scholarships and school readiness aid to help our youngest learners. This is a proven approach that wisely uses tax dollars to benefit our kids.
We also included needed reforms to help districts retain the best teachers possible. The legislation repeals the Last-In-First-Out policy for teacher layoffs, and allows districts and teachers to negotiate staff retention policies that best fit their schools. Our focus is on what’s best for students, and this language can help keep the best teachers in local classrooms.
Transportation
I mentioned last week that we had just passed our transportation proposal. As a member of the Transportation Finance Committee throughout my time in the legislature, this has been an area where I’ve worked hard to represent our district. Our bill prioritizes roads and bridges, and lays out the framework for a 10-year, $6 billion investment in our transportation infrastructure. While some would like to raise the gas tax, this plan funds transportation without raising the gas tax or tab fees. The bill will now head to a conference committee to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions. Here are some main provisions of the road and bridge plan.
- Invests in key highway infrastructure through $300 million in one-time Corridors of Commerce funding for Fiscal Year 2018.
- Creates a special fund specifically for bridge projects to clean up this MNDOT list of approximately $25 million worth of smaller local road bridge projects around the state.
- Aims to improve rail safety through $35 million investment in rail grade crossings.
- Additional MVST funding from the Met Council would be redirected to Suburban Transit.
- Funds a pilot program for suburb-to-suburb bus transit.
Civil Discussion
In the legislature, everyone wants to do what they think is best for the state and their district. While we know we may not always agree, and I recognize we often have similar goals, just different approaches and solutions. It’s important to acknowledge a need for civil discourse as we talk about our differences in opinion. The conversation should be rooted in policy, not politics.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case this session. By trying to score political points, some have undermined the respectful discussion we should be having. For me the campaign is over and I prefer to focus on values we share over playing gotcha politics and special interest talking points. Personally, I have enjoyed sitting down with people who may disagree with me, and listening to their ideas. It’s how we grow and learn and make better policy. I appreciate all who have come to visit me and have contacted me.
The legislature is on a one-week break for Easter and Passover, I hope to run into many of you during the next week.
Have a great weekend,
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A