Home Press Release Education Minnesota applauds Gov. Walz for addressing student hunger and mental health in State of the State speech

Education Minnesota applauds Gov. Walz for addressing student hunger and mental health in State of the State speech

Share on

For more information, contact:
CHRIS WILLIAMS
651-292-4816 (work) 
651-247-5539 (cell)

ST. PAUL, Minnesota. April 24, 2022 – Gov. Tim Walz presented real solutions to challenges in Minnesota’s schools, including student hunger and untreated mental illness, during his State of the State speech Sunday evening. In response, Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement: 

“It was good to hear Gov. Tim Walz get serious about what’s happening in schools. Students can’t learn when they’re hungry, or when they’re not getting the care they need for their mental health. The governor’s budget would help educators meet more needs of their students and, hopefully, persuade more educators to come back next fall. It’s time for the Senate majority to get serious too and put Minnesota’s kids ahead of tax cuts for Minnesota’s millionaires. Our state can afford to provide an education that enables all students to pursue their dreams, no matter what they look like or where they learn. But that can’t happen unless the Senate joins with the governor and the House leadership to make it happen.” 

Education Minnesota also looks forward to working with the governor on others parts of his education agenda, including cumulative investments in students of $2 billion and a $73 million one-time cash infusion into the state’s pension system for public employees, including teachers, to lessen the effects of inflation.

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.