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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

House education panel approves Labor Day change

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Legislation allowing the school year to begin before Labor Day has cleared a Minnesota House committee.

Members of the House K-12 Education Finance Division approved the bill today on a 13 to 5 vote. The measure would give school districts start-date flexibility for the next two school years, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Labor Day falls this year on September 7, and on September 6 next year.

Resorts owners oppose the measure. So does Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, who said the bill would would make bad economic conditions worse.

"The tourism and hospitality industry is a critical player in this state's economy and tax collection," Anzelc said. "So give those people a chance."

The bill's chief author, Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, explained her support of a two year moratorium is based on academics. Norton said she understands the concerns of resort owners, but added that local school leaders would still have options.

"This is not a mandate for school start time," Norton said. "It is a choice. Different areas can choose as they wish."

A required study of the impact of the Labor Day start date on the tourism industry was removed from the bill.