Legislative Update Friends, Education is the foundation of strong communities, and as your Representative, I’ve heard loud and clear from educators across the state and throughout our district: Minnesota schools are at a breaking point. While the Governor’s proposed budget threatens over $250 million in cuts to education, our schools continue to face unfunded mandates and rising costs that stretch their budgets to the limit. You can see a breakdown of the House GOP proposal [here] Despite a projected $6 billion budget deficit, I’m committed to improving our schools and supporting the teachers, staff, and students who make our communities thrive. That means restoring local control and giving districts the flexibility they need to make decisions that work best for their unique challenges. Here's What I'm Fighting For Local Optional Revenue (LOR) I’m spearheading bipartisan legislation that restores decision-making authority to our local school boards and empowers them to allocate resources where our students need them most. I support giving districts the flexibility to work directly with their communities and raise the revenue they require, rather than waiting for the state to act. These commonsense bills deliver real, local solutions to funding shortfalls. We are exploring great ideas like this: Fully Funding Special Education (HF 57) Minnesota school districts are being forced to subsidize special education costs with general fund dollars. That’s wrong. I’ve co-authored legislation to increase special education funding and help close the growing cross-subsidy gap. It's time the state kept its promises. Targeted School Meal Reform (HF 2201) Feeding students in need should always be a priority, but giving free lunch to families earning over 500% of the federal poverty level doesn’t make sense when schools are laying off teachers and cutting programs. HF 2201 takes a balanced approach: it keeps breakfast free for all students and targets lunch assistance to families below that income threshold, ensuring support goes to those who truly need it. By refocusing resources where they’re needed most, this bill generates over $229 million in just the first two years of its implementation; freeing up funds that can be redirected into Local Optional Revenue (LOR). That means more flexibility for school districts to invest these dollars where they’ll make a real difference, whether it’s hiring teachers, reducing class sizes, investing in technology, or fixing aging facilities. It’s a fiscally responsible plan that provides schools with the funding they require without the need for additional taxes. |