Senate set to invest $444 million in education

In an effort to ensure that Minnesota’s kids stay at the top of the class, Minnesota State Senators LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), and Tarryl Clark (DFL- St. Cloud) have put forward legislation to invest $444 million in education from pre-K to college.  The bill includes:

·       $295 million for K-12 education - A 2 percent increase to the funding formula each year of the biennium.

·       $93 million to higher education - Holding tuition increases down to 3 percent at MnSCU and 5 percent at the U of M over the next two years.

·       $56 million for pre-K education allowances.

“In order for us to compete as a state, we need a good, basic education foundation for citizens, from early education to higher education,” said Senate Education Finance Committee Chair LeRoy Stumpf.  “If we don’t make these critical investments, we’ll see the financial ramifications for years to come.”

“Tuition is just becoming too unaffordable for too many young people,” said Sen. Sandy Pappas, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.  “This bill will help keep tuition increases in check and make it possible for more people to pursue their dreams of a better education and a better life.  Our goal should be to have the best-educated workforce around to compete globally and pricing people out of education isn’t going to help us attain that goal.”

“Pre-K education sets the stage for the rest of a child’s educational life,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark.  “We know that early education pays huge dividends.  Now it’s time for us to move forward on funding for it.  This bill will take a huge step in ensuring our kids are ready for kindergarten and beyond.”

The bill has passed the Senate Finance Committee and was referred to the Senate Tax Committee.  The legislation will be paid for with revenue increases in the Senate Tax Committee.