Session Update: Senate Passes Omnibus Education Budget Bill

The Republican-led Senate’s vision for funding the state’s next two year education budget was the subject of a six hour debate Thursday, April 22. Senator Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, chair of the Senate Education Committee, pointed to the investments in literacy, mental health, teachers of color and parental decision-making as innovations in tackling the achievement gap. “This bill represents recovery. It’s about opportunity. It’s about doing what is just, and it is about what is truly hope for our children and our families and our school districts,” he said.

Members of the DFL argued that while they support some measures in the bill, the overall funding is insufficient, particularly on the per-pupil student formula. The DFL attempted to remove two controversial measures in the bill – one that would create Educational Savings Accounts for parents to use for private school tuition and a ban on transgender girls from participating in girls sports. Both amendments were defeated.

H.F. 1065 passed on a vote of 37-29. A conference committee will convene to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the omnibus education funding package.