GOP tax plan ignores staffing and mental health crisis in public schools to reward the richest households
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota. April 5, 2022 – The package of permanent tax cuts favoring the wealthiest Minnesotans presented in the Minnesota Senate on Tuesday would leave the state without enough resources to provide students with all the academic and emotional support they need to succeed, said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota.
“When there is a statewide educator shortage and growing youth mental health crisis, it’s simply irresponsible for Senate Republicans to make permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest Minnesotans their priority,” Specht said. “Gov. Tim Walz and the DFL House majority have budgets that would provide the staff and support that students need to grow up and build a state where everyone can thrive. Minnesotans are seeing a clear choice between who wants to keep a status quo that’s rigged for the rich, and who wants to provide the resources that will lead to a better future for every Minnesotan, regardless of where they live, what they look like, or how much money they have.”
According to an analysis by We Make the Future of Senate data, the GOP’s proposed tax cuts would send the richest 20% of Minnesotans nearly $2 billion during the next two-year budget, while more than 500,000 of Minnesota’s lowest-earning households would get nothing.
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.
