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Chris Williams
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Megan Boldt
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651-245-9163 (cell)

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 18, 2015 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response to the Legislature’s passage of the E-12 funding bill and Gov. Mark Dayton’s expected veto.

“A nearly $2 billion surplus gave the Legislature the rare opportunity to invest in children on a scale that would have improved the lives of generations of Minnesotans, but what passed the Legislature on Monday missed it,” Specht said. “Now it appears Gov. Dayton will use his veto pen to give them another try.”

“The educators of Minnesota encourage lawmakers, particularly those in the House, to reconsider their decision to put corporate tax breaks before students and schools,” Specht said. “We can do better than a formula increase that only limits layoffs. We can reduce class sizes and start to bring back art, music, world languages, physical education and other courses we’ve lost to cuts over the years. We can also give all families access to high-quality preschool, not just a targeted few. There’s still a huge surplus. If not now, when?”

About Education Minnesota

Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.