Thank you for visiting our site. Senate District 48 DFL is made up of Southern Minnetonka and the majority of Eden Prairie. We bring together two vibrant communities with a diverse population. We believe it’s a great area to live and raise a family.

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In the Know

Minnesota DFL
Jan. 28, 2015
 
Events today

• 3:45 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will swear in Adam Duininck as the chair of the Metropolitan Council, 390 Robert St. N, St. Paul.

 
2016 election
Matching GOP presidential candidates with those who tried before, New York Times
 
Budget (state)
Dayton uses budget hammer to send a message, MPR
Dayton’s budget focused squarely on education, Session Daily
Governor’s budget continues to invest in a strong future for Minnesota, Minnesota Budget Project
Dayton’s budget for education draws positive labor response, Workday Minnesota
Dayton budget blueprint earmarks most of state spending increase for education, Star Tribune
Dayton lifts education in $42 billion budget but test awaits, WCCO
Gov. Dayton unveils education-focused state budget proposal, Fox 9
Dayton budget funds early learning, broadband, tax relief, KSTP
Dayton budget plan focuses on education, KARE
Education-focused Dayton budget covers a wide range of issues, Capitol Chatter

(more…)

daily brief · issues · news

Gov. Dayton’s 2015 budget also includes investments in strengthening our state in these areas:

• Job Creation and Broadband Expansion – The Governor’s budget proposal would make new investments in broadband expansion, and initiatives to train Minnesota’s workforce for good-paying careers.

• Improving Railway Safety – Every day, trains carrying oil and other hazardous materials pass through Minnesota. These trains present risks to public safety and our natural resources. That is why the Governor’s budget would strengthen our ability to prevent disasters, and respond quickly if they do occur.

• Mental Health Investments – The Governor’s budget would invest in a continuum of care solution that promotes mental health and early intervention. It would ensure that children and adults with mental illness, and their families, have access to the services they need.

2015 Minnesota budget · Gov. Dayton · improving railroad safety · job creation · Mark Dayton · mental health improvements · safer railways · wider access to broadband

Governor Dayton’s 2015 budget also invests in our future through support to our families and children:

• Child and Dependent Care Credit – Minnesota is the 4^th-most expensive state for child care in the nation, with annual care costs totaling over $10,800 for one child. The Governor’s budget proposal would invest $99.9 million in expanding the Child and Dependent Care Credit, making child care more affordable for 130,000 low- and middle-income families. The average family would save $481 per year.

• Supporting Children and Families – The Governor’s budget would also invest an additional $44 million to improve access to high-quality child care for low-income families, provide additional outreach to parents of at-risk children, increasing the state’s investment in children’s mental health services, and enhancing the state’s child protection efforts.

2015 Minnesota budget · child and dependent care credits · Gov. Dayton · Mark Dayton · Minnesota chldren · Minnesota families · supporting children and families

When Governor Dayton took office four years ago, he promised Minnesotans that he would increase funding for education every year he was Governor – no excuses, no exceptions. That is a promise the Governor has kept, and one he will continue to keep in his second term.

• Building on previous investments – Over the last four years, the Governor and Legislature invested $895 million in PreK-12 education. The two-year budget introduced today delivers again on that promise, investing an additional $373 million in PreK-12 education. It would also provide $93 million for initiatives that would improve our higher education system, and make it more affordable for Minnesota families. These bold new investments would help ensure every Minnesota student receives an excellent education.

• Statewide PreK – The Governor’s budget would invest $109 million to provide 31,000 four-year-olds access to free, high-quality PreK learning opportunities.

• More Funding for Every School – The Governor’s budget would invest $373 million in PreK-12 schools statewide, increasing the per-pupil funding formula to $5,948 by 2017. It would give local school districts the resources and flexibility to meet the needs of their students and classrooms – from lowering class sizes, hiring new counselors, investing in technology, or providing other needed programs and services.

• Tackling the Achievement Gap – In addition to statewide PreK, the Governor’s budget would invest in a multi-layered approach to narrow the state’s achievement gap. It would eliminate the current Head Start waiting list, provide support to help all students read well, target educational support to parents of at-risk children ages 0-8, make additional investments in English Language Learning, and more.

• Healthy Schools, Healthy Students – The Governor’s budget includes important new investments in school nutrition and behavioral health in our schools. It would provide free breakfasts for all PreK-3 students, fund in-school programs to improve student behavior, and support parents of at-risk children.

• Investing in Higher Education – In 2013, the Governor and Legislature reversed a decade of funding cuts, investing $250 million in initiatives to make higher education more affordable for hundreds of thousands of students. This year, the Governor’s budget would invest an additional $93 million to hold down tuition growth at the University of Minnesota, expand the State Grant Program, continue reciprocity arrangements with neighboring states and improve research outcomes at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Here’s a link to the fact sheet.

2015 Minnesota state budget · education excellence · Gov. Dayton · healthy schools · healthy students · investing in higher education · Mark Dayton · more funding for every school · statewide PreK · tackling the achievement gap

Minnesota’s economy continues to strengthen:

Thanks to forward-looking management, the State of Minnesota has a $1 billion surplus.

And, Minnesota’s unemployment rate of 3.6% is the 5th lowest in the nation. It’s also the lowest level we’ve seen in nearly 14 years with the state adding 222,000 new jobs over the last 5 years.

Here’s a link to the full report.

2015 Minnesota economic recovery · job growth · lowest unemployment rate