ST. PAUL, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the E-12 Education Budget and a standalone bill that funds unemployment insurance for hourly school workers like bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and paraprofessionals.
"This budget agreement reflects our commitment to Minnesota's students at a time when public education is under attack at the federal level," said State Representative Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins), Co-Chair of the House Education Finance Committee. "Thanks to our work last session to link the education formula to inflation, Minnesota schools will still receive funding increases each year going forward, maintaining universal access to free school breakfast and lunch, as well as providing flexibility for our school districts."
The House Education Budget includes several DFL and GOP initiatives that will increase the number of qualified special education teachers, fund roof repairs and replacements for schools with critical infrastructure needs, expand evidence-based math tutoring programs, and support youth engagement through programs like the Minnesota Youth Council and the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs.
Two years ago, lawmakers indexed per-pupil funding formula increases to inflation. As a result, Minnesota schools are set to receive a 2.7% increase next year and a 3% increase in 2026. This historic move gives school districts funding stability and predictability even during uncertain budget times.
The bipartisan agreement preserves Minnesota’s universal school meals program for every student in Minnesota, regardless of income. More than 150 million meals were served in the inaugural year of the program, saving Minnesota families an estimated $1,000 per student.
Video from today’s floor debate can be found here.
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