Dear Neighbors,
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week; a time to thank and show gratitude to our educators who help shape our children’s lives and futures. Our teachers are endless advocates for our children; they need the best tools possible in the classroom to help our kids succeed. This Capitol update focuses on the Republican Legislature’s final education budget proposals. You can also check out my video Capitol update here.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Getting our children off to the best possible start in life is an investment in our future and an opportunity every family deserves. Providing adequate funding for school districts to offer free, voluntary pre-kindergarten to Minnesota four-year-olds ought to be a priority. Unfortunately, the House Republican proposal denies young learners access to quality pre-k in communities across our state by eliminating the successful voluntary pre-k program.
In contrast, Governor Dayton’s plan would provide opportunities to more than 17,000 four-year-olds in more than 260 school districts. Thanks to last year’s funding, 3,300 kids are already learning in voluntary pre-k and the program has been applauded by district officials around the state. Quality pre-k is a key component in closing opportunity and achievement gaps; we owe it to our kids and our state’s future to make these key investments.
EDUCATION UNDERFUNDING
Despite a budget surplus, Minnesota Republicans are choosing to underfund our schools. Teachers- the experts in our classrooms- have testified that a modest 2% funding increase is needed just to stay afloat with costs of inflation and student growth, yet Republicans are choosing to underfund our schools with less. Education has made Minnesota a leader, but we won’t continue to lead by providing big tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate special interests. Instead, providing all Minnesota children a quality education ought to be our top priority.
HIGHER ED
Every Minnesotan deserves the opportunity to get a post-secondary education and compete in the global economy without being saddled with student debt. Instead of investing in Minnesotans, Republicans are proposing a higher education budget that’s nearly $200 million less than what Governor Dayton requested. Underfunding education will continue to lead to increased tuition and skyrocketing student debt, program cuts, and staff layoffs. In fact, the University of Minnesota said if the Republican budget becomes law, students would see a tuition increase of up to 5% each of the next two years. Minnesota should be proud of leading the nation in a lot of things, but student debt shouldn’t be one of them. We currently have the 5th highest student debt in the country.
House Democrats are working toward a compromise budget in the next two weeks, but will not stand for policies that move the state backward and hurt Minnesotans. Your voice can help. To share your thoughts about these education bills, you can call House Speaker Daudt or House Education Finance Chair Jen Loon.
Please feel free to contact me with any input, ideas or suggestions on state matters at 651-296-5510 or atrep.connie.bernardy@house.mn. I appreciate hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative