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Students, Parents and Teachers Agree: Education is Key to Minnesota’s Success, Republican Proposals Fall Short

Monday, April 24, 2017

APPLE VALLEY—Representative Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) hosted an education forum last Saturday as legislative leaders begin negotiating Minnesota’s education budget. Rep. Maye Quade was joined by DFL Education Finance Committee Lead Jim Davine (DFL-Minneapolis) who both expressed disappointment that Republicans are continuing to prioritize tax cuts for the rich and well-connected over fully funding Minnesota schools. They emphasized their preference that education be made a top priority.

 

“It is clear parents, teachers, and students are concerned about cuts in the classroom,” said Rep. Maye Quade. “It is shocking the House Republican bill eliminates popular programs in our district like voluntary pre-kindergarten and underfunds our schools when we have a $1.65 billion surplus.  Fully funding our schools shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Our voluntary pre-kindergarten program is filled to capacity with growing demand.”

 

The House Republican plan includes:

  • $8.1 million less general fund spending for education than Governor Dayton’s budget for the Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan school district. $450 million less general fund spending statewide.

  • $2.6 million less funding for voluntary pre-kindergarten than Governor Dayton’s budget for the Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, eliminating the program.

  • $26 million cut to compensatory revenue for school districts statewide

  • $3 million cut to ACT testing reimbursement statewide

 

"I am disappointed with the priorities of the majority party, as I believe investing in public education should be ahead of other legislative-funded initiatives,” said Senator Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley). “Without a full 2% increase each year, school districts will be forced to make drastic cuts. The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District has stated that under the Senate proposal, there would be an estimated $17 million in cuts to staff and programs over three years. Education has always been a pathway to a better life and an educated workforce is Minnesota's number one asset."

 

With a $1.65 billion surplus, Republicans are proposing to underfund our schools, budgeting less than half of what is necessary to expand voluntary early childhood programs and help school districts meet inflationary cost increases. The House Republican plan increases general fund spending on education by just 1.25%, while Governor Dayton’s budget increases funding by 2% in each of the next two years. Rep. Maye Quade proposed the highest investment of 2.5% with a bill she introduced earlier in session.

 

“Minnesotans all place a high value on the education of our children because it’s the foundation of our future success,” said Rep. Davnie. “It is clear to me that Republicans are using education funding as a bargaining chip to get the tax cuts that they want because they know Democrats care deeply about strong public schools. We can’t let Republicans play political games with the future of our kids.”  

 

Minnesota schools are currently funded below 2002 levels including inflation, which was when Representative Maye Quade was still attending high school at Eastview.

 

Also in attendance was School District 196 Board Member Sachin Isaacs.

 

Rep. Maye Quade encourages constituents to contact her with any comments, questions, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Maye Quade can be reached by phone at 651-296-5506 or by email at rep.erin.mayequade@house.mn. Rep. Maye Quade also encourages community members to sign up to receive periodic legislative updates through email at www.house.mn/57a.

 

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