Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for all of your support as we spend long hours on the House Floor fighting for our shared values and priorities. The words of encouragement in person and emails are appreciated, and it continues to be an honor to represent you, your family, and our south metro communities in the legislature.
EDUCATION: Let’s Fund Students, Not Systems
Late last week, the House approved Democrats’ Education Budget Bill. Their plan included 67 new mandates on our schools, most of which are unfunded. While there are increases in funding formulas, school administrators from around Minnesota reached out to Republican lawmakers to let us know that the funding increases will barely cover the new mandates, essentially meaning no real new dollars will flow to the classroom.
In fact, the many mandates would cost just the Lakeville School District an estimated $2.7 BILLION and result in further cuts of about 18 teaching staff!
In response to the concerns from school leaders and administrators, House Republicans put together our own education proposal utilizing the same budget target of $2.2B that Democrats were working off. We also introduced a bill that I proudly supported as a co-authored, Below is our better plan:
For too long, the legislature has acted as a statewide school board—micromanaging all school districts and burdening them with restrictions. I listen to and trust our local school boards, education leaders, and teachers to provide students with the tools they need for a bright future. That’s why our plan provides historic, flexible funding without burdensome mandates and represented the right path forward for Minnesota.
Here I am meeting with Dean, a special education teacher from Elko New Market outside the House chamber
It’s past time for us to put dollars directly in classrooms to fund students, teachers, and their educational opportunities.
JOBS AND LABOR: More Job-Killing Mandates and Regulations on the Way
Late Monday evening, the House approved Democrats’ Jobs and Labor Omnibus Bill. This is yet another mandate-heavy bill that will do more to get rid of jobs than it will to help our job creators and strengthen Minnesota’s workforce.
Sadly, as is often the case, our small, local, “main street” businesses are the ones who will be most hurt by these job-killing policies. In a time of economic uncertainty, state government should be taking a “do no harm” approach that limits additional cost burdens and mandates on employers who are doing their best to keep doors open and our neighbors employed.
Further in the bill, Democrats go out of their way to pay back their union friends and nonprofit organizations with grant funds with little to no oversight or financial accountability.
As the Republican-lead of the Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, I have worked closely on these issues all year.
You can watch my comments on this bill by clicking here or the photo below.
Thank You and Keep Watch
Thanks again for all your support and messages. I will continue to keep you updated on what’s happening in St. Paul as we enter the final week of the 2023 legislative session.
Jon Koznick
State Representative