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| Date: | February 23, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| REPUBLICAN RURAL CAUCUS CONCLUDES EXTENDED EDUCATION FINANCE DISCUSSION |
(ST. PAUL) – The Republican Rural Caucus, composed of Republican members of the Minnesota House and Senate, meets regularly to discuss public policy issues important to rural Minnesota. Co-chairs Senator Doug Magnus (R-Slayton), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and House counterpart Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) lead the meetings.
Eric L. Nauman, Fiscal Analyst for the Minnesota State Senate, presented on education finance over the course of two Rural Caucus meetings. The presentation thoroughly detailed constitutional language and context; public education history; education budget and shifts; pupil accounting; general education and referendum; special education; education policy programs; and other revenue programs.
“Education funding, including higher education, occupies nearly half of our state budget,” commented Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson). “Without properly understanding how those funds are allocated, we cannot begin to perform the real work of improving the current system. Additionally, any real progress toward resolving our seemingly annual budget deficits begins and ends with reforming the largest portions of our general fund expenditures.”
Originally scheduled for one Rural Caucus visit, Mr. Nauman returned for a second at the request of the group.
"Eric Nauman's presentation on education finance was very helpful and how the formula affects the metro area and Greater Minnesota," said Rep Bruce Vogel (R-13B). "This information will be pertinent moving forward in making decisions for our local schools."
"For too long, our rural students have been underfunded when compared to students from the inner cities and metro area," Rep Joe Schomacker (R-22A) said. "A student is a student, regardless of where they live in Minnesota. All of them should be treated equally in the eyes of the state, but instead, schools near the Twin Cities receive more than rural Minnesota. This unfair per pupil funding practice needs to end."
The Republican Rural Caucus meets weekly and regularly invites policy experts, state leaders and others to participate in their discussions.
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