One of the education challenges we face is fairness in school funding for rural students. As a member of the Education K-12 Policy and Finance Committees I am a strong voice for providing funding equity for all our children. We have increased the funding formula. We have invested in programs for school social workers and counselors … we have funded grants for the ag educator summer program. Minnesota is facing a shortage of teachers and I successfully worked to be appointed to the Legislative Study Group on Educator Licensure. I voted for student loan tax credits. This is Senator Gary Dahms, finding practical solutions to real problems.