By Quinn Gorham
Published: Mar. 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM CDT
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently proposed a new budget for the state, one that would trim roughly $1.5 billion dollars off the state’s projected deficit in FY28-29.
“This budget is fiscally responsible and prioritizes the programs that will set Minnesotans up for success for generations to come,” the governor said in a statement about the budget last week.
According to Walz and those in his administration, the budget proposal aims to curb growing state expenditures while maintaining funding for major programs.
Education is one key area that could see some spending cuts under the plan. Walz is proposing, among other things, to eliminate state spending on private education and reduce spending on special education transportation. State expenditures on the special education transportation reimbursement program have steadily been growing.
Those in Walz’s circle, like Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, see the cuts as a calculated way to trim spending.
Jett and others touted the budget proposal to the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee on Thursday.
“How do we uphold our commitment to funding Minnesota’s public education system on behalf of our students and educators, while also meeting our responsibility to balance the state budget?” Jett asked.
The administration feels it is important to preserve funding for other education programs.
“This is a balanced budget package. It sustains the important progress we’ve made for students, educators, and families, supports core priorities, and invites continued collaboration around the difficult but necessary decisions ahead,” Jett added.
Republicans were clearly opposed to the cuts.
Both sides seem to acknowledge the need to trim spending, but the GOP believes cuts in education can largely be avoided.
“The governor is currently asking for $250 million in cuts to funding for schools and children while continuing to fund the priorities of the Education Department,” Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) said.
Instead, Republicans propose the state ends mandated funding for things like free school meals. They hope to reallocate and “free-up” those funds so that districts can determine how they want to use them.
Theoretically, the approach would allow certain districts to use more money, dollars that otherwise would be locked into specific programs.
“The resources are available for them if we allow them to move things and not just lock things into funds,” Kresha said.
Many DFLers feel such an approach could leave those programs in the dust. Removing mandated funding for certain areas could result in less incentive to invest in underserved areas.
Still, compromise will be key in the House, which is currently tied along party lines. Some combination of DFL and Republican approaches will likely find its way into the final Education Finance budget bill.
“Let me be clear: as the Governor has emphasized, this budget is a starting point, an invitation to engage in serious and thoughtful conversation about how we navigate this incredibly difficult task,” Jett said. “Navigating this will not be easy, but together, we can find thoughtful, workable solutions.”
Lawmakers have the current two-year biennium and the next to trim the state’s impending deficit of roughly $6 billion.
Copyright 2025 KTTC. All rights reserved.
