MOORHEAD – Today, DFL legislators joined Leader Melissa Hortman at MSUM to discuss budget negotiations at the Capitol, specifically in regard to education.
"From early childhood to higher education, the House GOP Majority is making the wrong decision by underfunding education. With a healthy state budget, we need to invest in education now to keep our economy strong,” said Rep. Ben Lien (DFL—Moorhead). "About three quarters of the jobs available in Minnesota require some form of higher education. Instead, the House Republican budget would lead to tuition increases or campus cuts across the state.”
The recently passed House Republican budget would underfund K-12 schools, cut voluntary pre-K, and underfund higher education, causing tuition hikes for four year tuition.
“Higher education funding is essential to the future success of Minnesota, but future graduates must not be saddled with the almost insurmountable debt that comes with a contemporary higher education,” said student David Kujawa. “It is on the Minnesota legislature to provide prospective and current students with the support they need to succeed in a 21st century economy.”
Instead of investing in education, House Republicans have chosen to pass tax cuts for corporations and the rich & well-connected, leaving little else to improve opportunities for kids and provide meaningful reductions in the cost of a higher education. Their budget includes a $161 million estate tax cut and freezes business property taxes.
“With a surplus, there is no reason to shortchange our schools -- yet Republicans have chosen to do just that. Our excellent education system has made Minnesotans successful and our economy strong,” said Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL—Brooklyn Park). “In the budget negotiations from now until the end of session, we will be pushing for more investment in our schools.”