Dear Neighbors,
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday last week. The Legislature has returned from our annual Easter/Passover recess and have begun to discuss and vote on budget bills.
Here’s an update from St. Paul:
Late last evening, the Minnesota House approved the E-12 education budget that increases the per-pupil funding formula for Bloomington Public Schools by $968 per student. It makes honest investments in every student across the state, free of shifts, or gimmicks. I’ve heard from countless parents, students, teachers, and staff who have shared with me how budget cuts and growing class sizes have impacted the quality of instruction, support, and education in schools.
Chief components of the bill would:
- Increase the per-pupil funding formula by 3% in the first year and by another 2% in the second year of the biennium.
- Keep students, teachers, and staff safer while in school.
- Address Minnesota’s special education funding shortfall.
- Protect access to voluntary Pre-K programs for 4,000 children.
- Enable schools to hire additional student support staff, such as licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses.
- Expand students’ ability to earn college credits and develop skills through career and technical education programs.
I’m especially pleased that my bill to deliver $100,000 in funding to The Works Museum has been incorporated into the final budget bill. You can read more about the education budget here.
After the Minnesota Senate approves their E-12 education budget, lawmakers from each chamber will form a conference committee to reach agreement on a final budget. Compromise means both sides won’t get everything they want, but I’ll continue to advocate for a robust education budget that ensures our students have access to a world-class education.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out with questions, comments, or feedback. Your input is important in these final four weeks of session.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative |
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