January 30, 2003 -- State Representative Al Juhnke - NEWS RELEASE
281 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 651/296-6206
3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201 320/235-4442
For Immediate Release
BUDGET BILL ROBS WILLMAR SCHOOLS OF $72,000
The bill to balance the state budget passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives this week raids $72,000 in reserve funds held by the Willmar Schools and another $71,000 from five other schools across West Central Minnesota, Rep. Al Juhnke said today.
"For the first time ever, the state will be taking back aid given to schools for Community Education - dipping right into the bank account of a local school system," Juhnke, of Willmar, said. "In contrast to most budget issues, we are not talking about a cut for next
year. These funds have been sent out and are being used by local schools to provide educational services right now. And the shame of it is that it isn't necessary to balance the budget."
The change hits six area districts:
Willmar $71,961
New London-Spicer $10,980
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City $8,939
Hutchinson $22,258
Paynesville $13,611
Melrose $14,918
House Republicans went far beyond even their own party-mate, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, in cutting K-12 education, Juhnke noted. The governor asked $9.1 million in education cuts for 2003 through 2005. The House GOP cut more than twice as much - $22.7 million over the three-year span.
"Certainly, many things will be cut in the effort to balance the budget. Yet it is important to maintain our commitments, especially in vital areas like education," he said.
When the budget bill came before the House, Juhnke supported an effort to adopt the Senate budget plan - but the move was blocked by Republicans, who hold the majority, on a procedural vote.
"How can we have a debate on issues when one side is not allow to present its alternative?" Juhnke said. "The bottom line is we're facing a week or two of negotiations until we end up not too
far from where the Governor started us."
