Omnibus education finance bill is 2025 forecast adjustments — for now

The House Education Finance Committee must receive a failing grade for not getting its work done on time. However, because the assignment is not yet finished a final mark could still be much higher.

On deadline day for most committees to complete their finance bills, the committee approved a placeholder bill that is expected to eventually carry the omnibus education finance bill. They are not the only committee to use this route.

Committee approval on a placeholder bill can keep the committee “on track while we’re still negotiating,” said Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins), who co-chairs the committee with Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls). “We’re really close to wrapping it up.”

The next stop for HF2433, as amended, is the House Ways and Means Committee, where it is expected to have the final package added via amendment following the Easter/Passover break.

Sponsored by Youakim, the bill as currently construed, would make adjustments to fiscal year 2025 education appropriations enacted in the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions to match forecast data.

The bulk of the adjustment would come in the form of a $53.31 million savings in general education aid funding, while the free school breakfast and lunch programs would receive an additional $18 million.

Forecast aid levels are the best estimates of the state aid required for each K-12 program and appropriation. The most likely causes of forecast adjustments are changes in estimated pupil counts, a change in program participation or a change in the underlying inflation assumption for a program.

Kresha said the budget bill, when complete, will get an informational hearing with public testimony.

“We have a base of things that we’re building off of,” he said. "There’s some agreement on that and we keep moving forward. So, we understand the process but also understand the need for the public input.”