Dear Neighbors,
With the budget complete and session over, I wanted to take some time unpacking each of the ten major budget bills in my e-updates. This week, I’ll start with the E-12 Education Budget Bill.
E-12 Education Budget
All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education, and the Minnesota House DFL made that a goal from the first day of session.
In April, under my leadership the House passed an E-12 Education Budget bill that included a $900 million increase in funding. We would have provided a 3 percent and 2 percent increase to the general education formula over the next two years along with significant funding for special education, funding for programs to increase the number of teachers of color in the state, funding for varied pathways to post-secondary education (both college and career/technical), and funding to help schools meet the specific needs of students.
The Senate E-12 Education Budget didn’t come close to matching our investment and would have provided only 0.5 percent and 0.5 percent increases to the general education formula over the next two years. Their funding level wouldn’t allow our schools keep up with inflation and would have resulted in significant cuts, teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and property tax hikes for our communities.
House leadership and Governor Walz worked very hard to prevent the level of funding proposed by the Senate and the consequent cuts. Our work paid off and we secured increased funding for schools and children of all ages and abilities. The final budget increases E-12 education funding by $543 million, including a 2 percent and 2 percent increase to the general education formula over the next two years. We allocated an additional $90 million for special education, and preserved preschool for 4,000 children – a program that was set to end this year.
The budget continues the current fiscal year’s level of funding for Tribal Contract Schools and links their future funding levels to future increases in the general education formula. It also includes operating increases for the Minnesota Department of Education, Perpich Center for Arts Education, and the State Academies.
The following finance and policy measures were also among the provisions adopted in this year’s E-12 Education Budget:
- Collaborative Urban Educator Grants to support programs that serve teachers of color.
- MN Council on Economic Education to support teacher professional development.
- Grants to support the development of mentorship, induction and retention programs for teachers of color and American Indian teachers.
- Fully funding the cost of High School Equivalency Tests (the GED and other equivalent tests) for the next two years.
- Requiring the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to report to the Legislature identifying safety precautions that would be required to allow middle and high school students to receive hands-on training in skilled trades, including on location at construction sites.
- A grant for online suicide prevention training for teachers.
- Requiring dyslexia screenings for all students who are not reading at grade level in grades K-2, as well as students in grade 3 or higher with reading difficulties but no identified reasons for those difficulties.
- Efforts to reduce special education paperwork.
- Requiring teacher preparation programs to include instruction on dyslexia as well as evidence-based best practices in reading.
Although there is more work to do to ensure all of our children receive a world-class education, I’m pleased we were able to achieve additional investment in our schools.
Legislative Survey Results
Earlier this year, I sent out a legislative survey on topics being discussed at the legislature. Hundreds of you responded and the results are below. Stay tuned for another survey early next year!
Q1: In my view, strong state-level funding of early childhood education through 12th grade helps insure that children all over the State of Minnesota have access to the same high-quality level of education. Others believe the state should provide only basic funding and local school districts should pass property tax referendums if they would like higher quality or additional opportunities. Which statement best describes your view of school funding:
Q2: When people show signs that they are an imminent danger to themselves or others, should law enforcement be able to get a gun violence prevention order to temporarily retain those people’s guns until the danger has passed?
Q3: Do you support or oppose criminal background checks for everyone before purchasing all firearms?
Q4: Only 14 percent of Minnesotans have access to paid family and medical leave, making it harder for families with a new baby or aging parent to make ends meet. Do you support or oppose a state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance program so everyone can access paid family and medical leave?
Q5: What policy would help improve your family’s economic situation the most?
Q6: Do you think Minnesota’s medical marijuana program should either be expanded or altered to include more qualifying costs or to bring down costs?
Q7: Recently, some legislators have introduced bills that would legalize recreational marijuana. Do you support or oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use?
Q8: Minnesota faces a substantial transportation funding shortfall. Do you support increasing any of these transportation funding sources (which ones)?
- Gas Tax: 50.2%
- License Tab Fees: 31.4%
- Sales Tax on Car Purchases: 27.3%
- None of the above; roads are fine: 24.8%
- Add toll lanes/roads: 11.7%
- Left blank: 3.8%
Open Appointments Update
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. The full list of 939 vacancies can be found here.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or at rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman
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