Aaron Brown is a journalist, author and blogger (among other things) on the Iron Range. He recently published this interview.
His book, Overburden, is a good read. Read Full Entry…
Paul’s Q&A with editors of the Richfield Sun Current covering a broad range of issues.
Tutors for students struggling with math. Field trip grants for homeschoolers. Financial assistance for private school tuition. And a 100 percent tax credit for corporations and individuals who donate to make it happen.
The Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill granting a tax credit to encourage corporations and individuals to contribute to foundations benefiting low-income public and private school students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The bill – the “Equity and Opportunity Educational Scholarship Tax Credit” – received a hearing in the Senate Tax Committee March 12. It was held over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The bill has not yet received a hearing in the House.
Under the design outlined in the bill, corporations and individuals would contribute to foundations established by schools or school districts to meet specific needs, like tutoring or tuition assistance. They would receive a tax credit for the full amount of their donation.
A low-income student’s parents or teacher may apply to the foundation for funds to help meet a child’s specific needs. Donations and assistance are capped at $10 million for the first five years. Read Full Entry…
Almost everyday, in this newspaper and others across Minnesota, we read about the challenges facing K-12 education in our state. The headlines raise alarm about the number of low-income students who aren’t keeping up with their peers and the latest rounds of school budget cuts that threaten our children’s future. Experts rightly fret over the achievement gaps between students of different incomes and races.
As the son of two Minnesota educators — my father was a school counselor and teacher in St. Paul, and my mother taught in Richfield Public Schools for 25 years — I know we can do better. As a legislator who represents school districts struggling each year with declining enrollments and increasing challenges, I know we should do better. As the father of children in a public school forced to raise tens of thousands of dollars each year from parents to keep basic academic opportunities available, I know we must do better.
To meet these challenges, we need to think creatively and act boldly. That is particularly true in tight financial times. One good idea that has succeeded in other states is to use public dollars to leverage new funds from the private sector by providing tax credits for corporations, small businesses and individuals who contribute to organizations that grant scholarships to low-income students at public and private schools. Similar programs in other states, including Iowa and Pennsylvania, have generated up to $75 million annually in new K–12 scholarship funds. Read Full Entry…
Rep. Paul Thissen and Sen. Sandra Pappas announced legislation today to create an innovative partnership between private businesses, their employees, and the State of Minnesota aimed at increasing the number of Minnesotans who earn college degrees.
The legislation provides a tax credit to employers who are willing to cover the costs of tuition and educational fees for employees pursuing a college education. Under the proposal, the state will cover 30% of an employer’s expense up to $2000. The credit is targeted at education for employees who earn less than $12.00 per hour when they enter the program.
“This legislation recognizes that all Minnesotans have a stake in creating a highly educated workforce,” said Rep. Thissen. “Employees plainly benefit. A college graduate earns almost two times as much as a high school graduate and is far less likely to be unemployed. Employers benefit from more productive, highly trained workers. And the state benefits from a strong and growing economy where more and more people are self-sufficient and actively contributing to their communities.” Read Full Entry…
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