Governor proposes to cut $685 million from education budget over next four years

Cuts in education spending may be inevitable in the coming years as Minnesota faces a projected nearly $6 billion budget deficit in the 2028-29 biennium.

Education Commissioner Willie Jett believes HF2433, Governor Tim Walz’s education budget proposal for the 2026-27 biennium, balances making cuts with upholding a commitment to funding students and educators.

“[The bill] seeks to address a focused set of urgent and high-priority needs, while offering a thoughtful approach to maintaining a balanced and responsible budget,” he said.

Representative Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) sponsors the bill, which would see education spending slow the next four years, and cut more than $240 million in spending in the 2026-27 biennium and another $445 million in the 2028-29 biennium.

Representative Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) said teachers have told him that education cuts will lower morale, increase class sizes and education quality will decline.

“This is not savings,” he said. “These are reductions, and they have real results. It’s a starting point, but it’s also a very, very difficult starting point and a painful one.”...

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