Friends,
Over the last few weeks, we have introduced the House Republican budget plan. The plan is headlined by $1.35 billion in tax relief for Minnesota families, $450 million in new funding for road and bridge infrastructure, and an overall budget target that ensures a sustainable level of state spending for the next biennium.
Getting tax relief for hardworking Minnesotans was one of my top priorities and this budget proposal delivers $1.35 billion in tax relief. Minnesota families created the budget surplus we now enjoy and it’s time to put that money back in their pockets. Read about the Education budget bill and also my bill to protect Jewish Community Centers and other soft targets from terror threats below.
K-12 Education Bill
The Education Finance bill has been introduced and makes significant investment in our schools. The bill invests $1.1 billion in new education funding over the next two years. Additionally, $24 million is dedicated to help low-income students who are falling behind academically, $25 million is being invested in early learning scholarships, and $8.5 million in school readiness programs to empower parents to find the best fit for their student.
This is a bill that will help to ensure every Minnesotan has access to a world-class education. I will proudly support it on the House Floor.
Protecting Soft Targets from Terrorism
My bill, House File 1802, that will create a security grant program to better protect soft targets from terror threats has been included in the House Public Safety bill. The bill follows a number of threats against nonprofit organizations across the county and state of Minnesota. Nonprofit organizations that are eligible for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s nonprofit security grant program, which have been approved by Homeland Security are eligible for grants. An application for the federal version of the program is also an application for funding from the state supplemental program, thus no extra application is necessary.
As always, please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on the bills heard in committee and in session. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling my office at (651) 296-9463, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Drew