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| Date: | January 18, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-329-9923 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SEN. DAVE THOMPSON CO-AUTHORS BILL THAT EMPOWERS SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS |
(ST. PAUL) – Senator Dave Thompson (R – Lakeville) joined Senators Gen Olson, David Hann, Paul Gazelka and Dan Hall in introducing a bill that provides relief to school districts that are grappling with state mandates and demands from the teacher unions in the current economic climate. The bill has four elements and all focus on empowering school districts to live within their means.
"School boards and District administrators have their hands tied by a combination of state mandates and demands from the teacher unions. The bill I have introduced will eliminate three mandates that create financial and bureaucratic burdens for schools and taxpayers. In addition, my bill freezes employee compensation for two years. This will help administrators keep class sizes down and retain important curricula and programs. This is clearly the best outcome for students and parents,” said Senator Thompson.
“We all want our teachers to prosper, but we cannot ignore economic realities. All taxpayers, whether business owners or employees, are struggling. We must not add to their burden, but still find a way to maintain our high standards for public education,” Senator Thompson added.
This bill, S.F. 0056 will have its first reading on today, Tuesday, January 18 and then go to committee. Senator Thompson serves on the Committee on Education and the bill has been referred there for further review. You can read a full copy of the bill by clicking here.
Senator Thompson was elected to his first term in November 2010 and was elected by his peers to serve as the assistant majority leader in the State Senate. Senator Thompson is also a member of four committees including the Committee on Education, the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and the Committee on State Government Innovation and Veterans. Senator Thompson can be reached at: 651-296-5252 (office) or sen.dave.thompson@senate.mn.
