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Dippel




*"If you'd like to contact Rep. Dippel, please do NOT reply to this email. Rep. Dippel can be reached at "*[email protected]

 

Hello from St. Paul,

 

It’s been a busy week with K-12 Education initiatives in the Minnesota House. As I serve on both the education policy and education finance committees, we’ve had numerous discussions on proposals, including some that I am authoring.

 

*SAVE OUR SCHOOLS*

Our education leads held a press conference this week highlighting the need to provide a lifeline to our schools that are overwhelmed with the 65 mandates that were forced upon them by legislative Democrats and Governor Walz last session. Many are laying off teachers and other staff in order to avoid going into debt.

 

In addition, Governor Walz has also proposed $200 million in cuts to K-12 Education over the next two years, which also has superintendents and school boards worried.

 

We can alleviate these problems, but it would require Democrats admitting some of their ideas from last session have hurt schools, and to date they’re unwilling to go there.

 

Some of the things House Republicans would like to do include allowing schools (with school board approval) to delay implementation of some or all of the new mandates; allowing schools to temporarily transfer funds between budget accounts; finding common sense efficiencies within the Minnesota Department of Education and funneling those dollars to our schools for students; and creating opportunities for schools to innovate locally.

 

*EDUCATION EMPOWERMENT ACCOUNT PROGRAM*

This week I introduced legislation [ [link removed] ] giving Minnesota families more control over their children’s education. The program aims to enhance education freedom and flexibility for families while ensuring proper oversight of fund usage by allowing parents to apply for education accounts, funded based on the state's per-pupil education revenue. Unused funds can be used for post-secondary tuition in the year after graduation. This education freedom initiative ensures that parents—not bureaucrats—decide the best educational path for their kids, and empowers parent’s choice in their children’s education.

 

*RECESS DETENTION MODIFICATIONS*

We’ve all heard stories about kids who lose their recess because they’re being punished for some wrongdoing. A bill I'm authoring [ [link removed] ] would put some specifics into this process, noting that schools may only use it if a student poses a serious physical harm risk, parents are notified, or an IEP team deems it necessary for special education students.

 

It would also ensure that if a student is forced to skip recess, he or she won’t be staring at the wall and that they will be doing something productive.

 

*BUS SAFETY TRAINING*

Minnesota school districts must provide students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade with age-appropriate active transportation safety training. But school officials have told us of problems with kids who arrive later in the school year, after the trainings have taken place. This is why I’m authoring legislation [ [link removed] ] that repeals the deadlines for schools to provide the required active transportation safety training.

 

*STUDENT SENATE EVENT*

Recently I was able to address students from across the Metro Area at a Student Senate event in Roseville.

 

Dippel

 

It was a great deal of fun to meet with students who are actively engaged in the political process and share some thoughts with them, particularly on the Education Empowerment Account proposal I am authoring.

 

To read an article on the visit, please click on the photo below.

 

DippelSS1 [ [link removed] ]

 

*UPCOMING TOWN HALL MEETING*

 

Town hall

 

Please join me at my town hall meeting in Cottage Grove next Saturday! Please sign up and submit your legislative questions here. [ [link removed] ]

 

*LOCAL VISITORS*

I recently joined other state lawmakers in visiting the Local 455 union at their St. Paul training facility and seeing local apprentices in action. I’m a strong supporter of the hardworking people in the pipe trades and was pleased to learn more about them.

 

Union

 

I also had a good chat with Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey and City Administrator Jennifer Levitt to learn about new opportunities for Cottage Grove.

 

CG

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Have a good weekend,

 

Tom









Centennial Office Bldg.
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St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3135
[email protected]







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