ST. PAUL, Minnesota. June 10, 2025 – The Minnesota Legislature convened in a special session to pass an education budget that maintains key elements from the 2023 pro-education budget.
Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota, commented on the budget’s significance: “This was a very difficult budget year, but legislators protected inflation adjustments to the per-pupil formula, unemployment insurance for education support professionals and continued increases in funding for special education costs for the next two years.” She acknowledged that while there were cuts affecting students, they were less severe than anticipated.
Specht noted that most districts would be able to invest in their workforce during contract negotiations this year. “There will be some money for educators to make progress on pay and health care costs during collective bargaining, although historic pay increases like those that came out of the 2023 session will be out of reach at many work sites,” she said.
Additionally, a new pension career rule was established for Minnesota teachers in the Teachers Retirement Association during the regular session. This development was not influenced by Monday’s votes.
Specht warned about potential changes to the state’s education budget if the U.S. Senate passes a federal budget proposal known as the MAGA budget. This proposal includes significant cuts to Medicaid and public education funding while introducing a $20 billion national school voucher program. “The MAGA politicians in Washington have a plan to gut public education and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the rich,” Specht stated. “If they get their way, students in Minnesota’s public schools will lose while private schools receive public money.”
Education Minnesota represents professional educators and students across various educational institutions in Minnesota and is affiliated with several national organizations.
