Dear Neighbors,
Minnesota has long been a leader in education, although it has been slipping in its commitment to our students. Our state had fallen to 47th in the nation in average class size, making it next to impossible for students to receive the individualized attention they need to be successful. Where we once were in the top 10 in school investments, we had slipped to 22nd. In addition, the previous legislative majority had taken $2.4 billion from our schools to cover yet another deficit.
As Minnesotans, we understand a world-class education system is the gateway to a world-class economy. That is why we changed course. Today, our budget makes historic investments in education for all of our learners and sets the goal of building the world’s best workforce.
New Investments in Early childhood - 12 Education: We invested $525 million in Minnesota’s Early childhood - 12 education system, providing needed funding to schools to reduce class sizes and boost student achievement.
Paying Back Our Schools: The previous legislature “borrowed” $2.4 billion from our K-12 schools. To make our schools whole again, our balanced budget paid back our schools in full.
All Day Kindergarten for Every Student: Every child will now have access to free, all-day Kindergarten. This new measure will narrow our state’s achievement gap and help prepare every child for success in school and life.
Early Childhood Scholarships: Many more young learners will gain access to high-quality early learning in preschool and child care. Research has demonstrated that early childhood investments deliver a 16 to 1 return on investment and prepare our kids for success in school and life.
Tuition Relief for Minnesota Students: Recent budgets have slashed higher education funding, leaving students to pick up the tab for skyrocketing tuition and burying them and their families in debt. We invested $250 million in higher education and directed those resources to tuition and debt relief for middle class students. We froze tuition for two years at state colleges and universities.
Ensuring No Child Goes Hungry: Our students need to have access to a nutritious lunch, regardless of family circumstances. We all know that going hungry without lunch not only impacts student health, it negatively impacts a student’s ability to learn. We passed legislation to ensure students have access to a healthy lunch at school and that no child will go hungry because their parents’ ability to pay.
Closing School Funding Equity Gaps: After a decade where the funding equity gap between property wealthy school districts and other districts increased dramatically, we passed legislation to close the gap by about a third in just two years. In Minnesota, the quality of a child’s education needs to be excellent, no matter where they live in our great state.
The legislature made huge strides in education this session, but there is more work ahead to keep moving Minnesota forward. Education is critical to our state’s long-term success. We need 3 and 4 year olds to have access to quality early education and need to continue to address the problem of rising student debt for our college students. I look forward to continuing the work of ensuring that every Minnesota student has access to a world-class education.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for the honor of serving you and the community in which I grew up.
Sincerely,
Connie