Saint Paul, MINN—On Monday, April 24, 2017, Minnesota parents, community advocates and business leaders joined House Republicans to stress the importance of early learning scholarships and a targeted early education approach that best serves our state’s littlest learners and their families.
“This is about making smart investments in proven and effective early learning programs for our state’s youngest learners and their families,” said House Education Finance Chair Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie. “House Republicans advanced education legislation last month that includes over $300 million in targeted funding that furthers our nation-leading mixed delivery system of quality early learning options, ensuring better outcomes for at-risk children and giving parents options to choose a program that works best for their child and family.”
The Legislature is currently meeting in a conference committee to negotiate an education budget for Fiscal Years 2018-2019. It is the intent of the House to also work with Governor Dayton and his staff in an open and transparent conference committee process to come to a final agreement on budget bills including education.
“I want to thank the parents, advocates and community leaders who came to share their stories today about how scholarships and investments in targeted early education programs have helped Minnesota kids,” added Rep. Loon. “I look forward to advocating for our students, families and schools as we work toward a final education budget compromise in the coming weeks.”