New Ulm Journal, November 10, 2007

TO THE EDITOR: Your Wednesday editorial was correct. It’s time for the state to step up and properly fund education.This year, the legislature invested an additional $800 million in K-12 education for the next biennium. The serious shortfall in special education funding over the years was the focus.

School funding, however, involves trying to meet two needs — general funding and special education funding — with an inadequate pool of state money. Thus, we saw local referendums in New Ulm and around the state as communities struggle to make ends meet, build and maintain facilities, and offer an outstanding educational experience.

Folks in Minnesota recognize that ‘no new taxes’ is a clever political slogan. It does not reflect reality, especially as we look at our property tax bills. Almost every referendum on the ballot is a red flag: the state is not providing adequate funding.

For the past six years, residents of local school districts like New Ulm have shouldered rapidly rising responsibility for costs the state had committed to pay. It’s why property taxes have increased close to $2.2 billion in recent years and why property taxes are expected to rise another $500 million next year.

The state has the constitutional, legal — and moral — responsibility to provide a core education to every child in Minnesota. After years of little to no funding increases, the state of Minnesota remains behind on its obligations when it comes to education funding.

Given this responsibility and the remaining ground to cover, it’s imperative that we act. If not, our property taxes will continue to increase, educational opportunity will increasingly depend upon a local community’s taxpayers, and the education our kids receive will suffer.

As a former St. Peter school board chair and now as vice-chair of the House K-12 Education Finance Committee, I understand the challenges — and opportunities — facing education. Our schools must prepare all of our kids, no matter where they live or the property tax resources of their community, to realize their potential and dreams and enable them to compete in a 21st century economy.

A first step was taken in 2007. The journey to an excellent, appropriately supported K-12 education will require more steps taken in partnership, not partisanship.

While the task may be daunting, I look forward to working with folks in our area and from around the state to devise a plan that keeps at the forefront our objective: educating all of Minnesota’s kids.

STATE REP.

TERRY MORROW

St. Peter

Testifying on All-Day Kindergarten Bill

in the 2007 Session