Minnesota has a new class of freshmen conservative lawmakers at the state capitol this year, and it is made up of some new faces that Minnesotans need to hear about.

This new group of legislators is already showing their extreme conservative policy priorities. We will be highlighting this new class of freshmen over the next week showcasing their extreme positions.

Roz Peterson: “Not the Teacher’s Pet”

Roz Peterson has a long record of serving on the Lakeville School Board and the Board of Directors for the School Board Association. In these positions, she repeatedly put teachers and students last in her priorities. She voted to cut dozens of full time positions in schools, resulting in larger class sizes. She campaigned on lower taxes–particularly for businesses and the wealthy–but raised fees for school activities.

Represents: House District 56B, the Burnsville and Lakeville area

Policy Positions:

• While on the Lakeville School Board, Peterson voted to cut 81 full time employees over two years [ISD 194 Board Minutes, 02/08/11]
• During that same time, Peterson voted to close an entire elementary school and eliminate fifth grade band [2011-2013 Budget Adjustment Recommendations, 02/08/11]
• Peterson also voted to raise $182,000 in fees on thousands of students and families for school activities. [2011-2013 Budget Adjustment Recommendations, 02/08/11]

Questions:

• While serving as the Chair of the Lakeville School Board, Peterson said the per pupil funding increase from the state of 1.5% was insufficient. [Pioneer Press, 07/09/13] Does she support asking the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share to increase education funding? Will she support investing more in our children’s education this year?