House Republicans Respond to Walz’s $240,000,000 Proposed Education Cuts
Saint Paul, MN – Representative Ben Bakeberg (R-Jordan) spoke at a press conference yesterday to address Governor Tim Walz’s proposed $240,000,000 cuts to education funding.
"Governor Walz's $240,000,000 proposed cuts to education funding, while increasing funding to the Department of Education, are completely out of touch with reality," said Representative Bakeberg. "These cuts will only exacerbate the challenges our schools are already facing. We must prioritize education, not slash resources that are essential to our children's future. It's time for the governor to listen to the needs of our communities and reverse these harmful cuts."
The governor's proposed plan includes cuts to teacher pay and professional development, cuts to schools and education programs, cuts to services for children with special needs, and the denial of textbooks, counseling, and nursing services to school-age children - all while providing more money for state bureaucrats to micromanage our schools.
Republican lawmakers argue that these cuts will disproportionately harm students, teachers, and families while failing to address the financial strain already placed on school districts by the governor’s previous mandates.
Over the last two years, Democrats and Governor Walz have enacted numerous costly, unfunded mandates, forcing schools to make difficult decisions, including staff reductions and program cuts. Now, with school districts already struggling to stay afloat, Republican leaders are demanding accountability and a reversal of the proposed funding reductions.