[Mpls] Ventura's counterattack

[Steve Minn]

Title: Ventura's counterattack

I take exception to Claire Stokes assessment of Gov. Ventura's position on education.  In fact, I have been anxiously awaiting the Governor's response to the deafening whining that's been going on for the last two weeks as every special interest group that feels the pinch of a tightened belt, moans the loss of their funds.  This is the exact process that has resulted in a huge growth of government over the last two decades.  Everybody is okay with rebates and reduced government until it hits their pocketbook or their issue..then they scream. The Governors' proposal to dramatically change k-12 school funding is an enormous boon to Minneapolis schools.  If you understand how the fiscal disparities law works, you can immediately see the shift of a progressive sales tax base to a uniform school funding mechanism, rather than a constant trade-off of property tax revenue with our suburban neighbors. Further, the Guv's remarks regarding the "black hole" are directed to the lack of accountability in local schools, not a suggestion that we don;t want to fund education in this state.  Study the cost?  Sure...hire a consultant (probably a former legislator or school administrator) spend a few million dollars and come up with the same intuitive answer we can all guess at right now...Fully fund special education, take teachers out of the disciplinary business with "get tough" behavior rules,and pay teachers on performance...oh...guess the unions will never want to agree to that...somebody might get caught not doing their jobs. We've experienced good and bad teachers in the Minneapolis schools...the good ones make your kids' experience a joy, the bad ones get the same pay.  Teachers ought to get paid a portion of their salary based on parental performance review at the end of the year...A Report card on teachers! BTW>>>My mother has been a public school teacher for 30 years, and she agrees with my position on this. As to Yudof and the Higher Ed crowd...they make me want to laugh...They seem to forget that they got over $300 M last year.  If anybody has dealt with the University, they know how wasteful that organization can be. And to suggest that a reduction in funding results in a deterioration of direct student teaching...Ventura's retort regarding Wisconsin, doing it better...and for lower salaries and lower cost makes the point.  I have lots of student tenants in my properties...very few get taught by a professor...usually its some low rent TA or Adjunct Professor (read doctoral candidate).  Yudof should turn some of his highly touted "research opportunities" into a collaboration with the private sector.  Triangle Park in North Caroline is primarily funded with grants and private research, not state tax dollars! Let Tax Reform happen! Steve Minn Minneapolis