At the Legislature
The decisions state legislators make affect your classroom, school and profession. State funding dictates what districts can do about class sizes, special education caseloads, even the condition of your building.
What we do
Education Minnesota has paid lobbyists and hundreds of fellow Minnesota educators fighting for you at the Capitol, connecting with legislators and other state officials to ensure their voices are heard when decisions are made. We track legislation, keep you informed and arm you with the resources you need to influence public policy.
A lot of people think they know what’s best for students without asking educators. Your union gives you a seat at the table because educators know what’s best for students.
What we’re fighting for
A strong system of public schools, one that gives every Minnesota student an equal opportunity for success – no matter what they look like or where they come from – will strengthen our communities and improve the lives of children and their families.
If we are serious about making sure every student can pursue their dreams, our state needs to get serious about funding what works.
Here are just some of the issues we’re prioritizing at the state Capitol.
Get involved
The most effective advocates for public schools are you and your colleagues. Get involved!
- Attend a lobby day
- Testify at a legislative hearing
- Contact your legislators
- Subscribe to our weekly Capitol Connection e-newsletter
2024 Days of Action
Join us at the Capitol for a Day of Action this session. We’ll be advocating for better pay, more affordable health care and issues affecting education support professionals.
Lobby Days
The most effective advocates for public schools in Minnesota are the front-line educators who guide our students toward successful lives every day, which is why Education Minnesota has made it easier than ever for members to participate in lobby days.
Take action
Write a letter to the editor
Write a letter to the editor and submit to your local newspaper(s) on major education issues. We make it easy with our LTE templates!
Email your legislators
Make room in the 2024 supplemental budget for teacher pensions
Fair pension reform is a top priority for all Minnesota teachers. It’s also key to recruiting and retaining more educators in our state. Minnesota is quickly becoming non-competitive in the nation for teachers, including on salaries, pensions, and working conditions. Email your legislators to help us secure more funding and fix current inequities!
Ask your state representative to support lowering TRA Tier 2 penalties
Raise educator wages using state funding
Support affordable health care for educators
Support aspiring educators by waiving tuition, paying them during student teaching
We need more students going into teaching. Two bills we support in the 2024 legislative session would do that by paying aspiring educators during their student teaching semester and waiving tuition during that time. Student teachers deserve laws that support their financial well-being during what could be the hardest semester of their programs. Email your legislators and tell them to support this legislation!
Raise revenue for reliable, sustained education funding
Public education received record funding increases in 2023, but our schools need more than one-time spending. Tell your legislators to reject any new tax cuts that favor the rich and support proposals that will ensure the wealthiest Minnesotans and the largest corporations start paying what they truly owe in taxes so our schools can have the resources they need.
Support the ESP Bill of Rights
Everyone who works in public education deserves the same things. Unfortunately, most education support professionals don’t get enough respect in their schools, fair compensation for their work or safe working conditions. Contact your legislators urging them to support our ESP Bill of Rights to benefit these professionals.
