Education Minnesota calls on Legislature to invest state budget surplus in educators
For more information, contact:
SCOTT BEAUCHAMP
612-757-1624 (cell)
ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Dec. 4, 2025 – Today’s budget forecast offers some stability as the Minnesota Legislature prepares to take on the increasing challenges facing Minnesota in 2026. In the upcoming legislative session, it will be critical to use the projected surplus to increase financial support for educators across Minnesota.
“No matter our race, ZIP code or background, ensuring every Minnesotan has access to a high-quality education – from preschool to post-graduation – is the best way to support strong communities and strong economies across the state,” said Monica Byron, president of Education Minnesota. “It has never been more difficult to be an educator. To meet these unprecedented challenges, the Legislature must use the projected surplus wisely and do its part to recruit and retain educators by improving pay, pensions and health care. Health insurance costs continue to outpace overall inflation and wage increases, leaving too many educators unable to afford basic care. We are calling on the Legislature to pass sustainable relief for skyrocketing educator health care costs in the 2026 session.”
The Minnesota Management and Budget Office predicted a $2.5 billion surplus in the next biennium in the forecast released on Thursday. Spending for E-12 education is expected to increase by $1.3 billion in the next biennium, primarily because of growth in special education programs and inflationary increases in the basic formula, the forecast said. The 2023 Legislature wrote increases in education funding into law to keep pace with actual costs.
“Thanks to the bold investments and fiscal responsibility of Gov. Walz and DFL legislative leaders in the last few years, Minnesota is well-positioned to weather financial instability coming from the federal government,” Byron said. “As the Trump administration works to dismantle federal education funding across the board, these state investments will be more critical than ever to ensure every student gets the education they deserve.”
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
