Text: May 17, 2018Governor Mark Dayton130 State Capitol75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. BlvdSt. Paul, MN 55155Dear Governor Dayton,With fewer than four days left before we must adjourn the Legislative session, it is imperative the threeof us meet today to begin negotiations in earnest on the various issues we have all expressed acommitment to addressing this year.As you outlined in your April 9 letter, those issues include protecting elderly and vulnerable adults fromabuse and neglect, ensuring the safety of our schoolchildren, addressing the opioid crisis, and stabilizingthe pensions of Minnesota workers. We also share an interest in passing a tax conformity bill that wouldprotect Minnesotans from the hassle of difficult tax filings in 2019 and lower the tax burden on hardworkingmiddle-class families.We have received your request for $138 million in new spending for schools, and share your support ofa strong education system for all of Minnesota's children. Last year, the Republican-led legislaturepassed, and you signed into law, $1.3 billion in new school funding. This year, the legislature passedmillions more for school safety improvements and mental health. We also support teacher pensionreforms paired with new funding that will ensure teachers' retirement promises are kept, and protectthe state from larger liabilities in the future.St. Paul Public Schools, which you are visiting today, received $8.7 million in new revenue for the currentschool year, and will receive $17.9 million in new revenue for the upcoming 2018-19 school year. Thedistrict currently spends $14,073 per year to educate each student, and in the 2018-19 school year, thatfigure will increase to $14,679, according to the Minnesota Department of Education. The Star Tribune,in an article dated February 15, 2018, reported this additional funding has allowed the school district tohire fifty-three new teachers and support staff, and fund yearly raises for every teacher. According tothe article, St. Paul Public Schools were able to afford these increases without tapping in to its rainy dayfunds. Yet, the school district now claims to have a $17.2 million deficit.While each district faces different challenges, 90% of school districts in Minnesota have balancedbudgets. We trust Minnesota's locally-elected school boards and school administrators to make theright decisions for their students, maintain healthy budgets, and give all students the ability to reachtheir potential today and years into the future. The budget you signed last year included a significantinvestment in our schools, is sufficient for the upcoming school year, and will be revisited during thenext two-year budget cycle.Despite our differences, we know there is a path to work together this year to make progress on issuesthat are important to Minnesotans. We invite you to meet with us today at 2:00 PM in a locationconvenient to you.Sincerely,Sen. Paul Gazelka Senate Majority LeaderRep. Kurt DaudtSpeaker of the House