A less-than-enthusiastic endorsement — especially from some Democrats — as Minnesota House and Senate negotiators wrapped up a 20-plus-billion dollar public school funding bill in preparation for a special session likely later this week. Maplewood Senator Chuck Wiger (WEE-ger) says the bill is “improved” over what it was before:
“It’s agreed to, and eventually the democracy has to move ahead with an agreement.”
Republican Senator Gary Dahms from Redwood Falls says he’s a “little disappointed” there’s not more reform in the bill, but…
“There’s some really good pieces of legislation in here for rural Minnesota. I appreciate seeing that.”
The bill gives school districts a two-percent funding increase per pupil in each of the next two years. And funding is continued for voluntary pre-kindergarten already in place in some Minnesota school districts.