My only question to the head of Education Minnesota = "Where will the money come from?"

Statement of Tom Dooher, president of Education Minnesota, in response to Senate DFL proposed budget cuts

St. Paul, Minn., March 12, 2009 –

The following statement can be attributed to Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher:

The proposed cuts are not in the best interest of Minnesota’s school children. If enacted, they would seriously harm the quality of education the state takes pride in providing its students. Parents need to know that under this proposal their kids will get less individual attention and fewer opportunities for learning. The cuts to higher education could also lead to yet more tuition increases at the MnSCU schools and the University of Minnesota.

Minnesotans believe we need to make education funding a top priority of the state and this proposal does not reflect the priorities that many Minnesotans share. Making seven percent across-the-board cuts is not setting priorities.

Just because we’re in a serious economic downturn, doesn’t mean the needs of our students disappear. The way to get out of difficult economic times is to have a highly-educated work force. Now more than ever is the time to invest in our children’s education and our state’s future.