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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Carly Melin (DFL)

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JOINT RELEASE: With $2 billion surplus, our kids should be top priority

Saturday, April 25, 2015

ST. PAUL— Today, House Republicans passed the omnibus education bill 69-61 that, despite a nearly $2 billion projected state surplus, will lead to reductions in teaching staff, increased class sizes, and reduced access to the state’s Early Learning Scholarship program. House File 844 would increase state funding for Early Learning and K-12 programs by only $156 million – less than 1% over current levels – in order to accommodate House Republicans’ goal of lowering taxes by $2 billion, mostly for corporate special interests. School officials from around the state have warned that this low amount of funding will cause deep cuts to school budgets.

 

“Despite a $1.9 billion surplus the House Republican education budget would results in cuts statewide in our schools,” said Representative Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing). “The Republican majority found tax breaks for millionaires instead of investing in classrooms.”

 

Projections show that changes to Early Learning Scholarships contained in H.F. 844 would lead to a 41% decrease in the number of students being served by the program. The bill only raises the state’s school funding formula by .6% with education superintendents across Minnesota saying this bill will result in teacher layoffs.

 

“If this bill became law school districts across the state will be handing out pink slips,” said Rep. Jason Mesta (DFL-Virginia). “The budgets put forward by House Republicans are poison pills for middle class families. The House Republicans want tax breaks for Walmart while families on the Range look ahead towards cloudy days.”

 

On Thursday, House DFL legislators introduced an alternate plan that would invest roughly $800 million in E-12 education. The plan would adequately fund Minnesota schools, phase in all-day pre-K education for Minnesota’s 4 year olds, address rural disparities, and fund Minnesota’s successful teacher development program. House Republicans tabled the proposal.

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