ST. PAUL (AP) - The first batch of bills in the Minnesota House will attempt to whittle away at state IOUs to schools, give more property taxpayers rebates, install a health care insurance exchange and prop up investment grant programs.

House Speaker Paul Thissen offered a preview of the initial legislation on Tuesday. The bills won't be introduced until Thursday. Thissen says all of the priority bills deliver on campaign promises.

The state owes public schools hundreds of millions of dollars from past budget crises. The goal is to pay back at least $500 million in the next two years.

On property taxes, Thissen says Democrats want to expand a rebate program for homeowners.

Republicans caution the moves are all expensive at a time the state has a $1.1 billion deficit.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

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