Gov. Mark Dayton touts new education spending goals, $609M increase over two years

Calling it a necessary step to maintain a strong school system and lessen disparities across the state, Gov. Mark Dayton made his case on Wednesday for spending an additional $609 million on Minnesota's public schools over the next two years.

The proposed new spending in Dayton's budget plan would divert a significant chunk of money from the state's projected $1.4 billion surplus. Speaking to reporters, the DFL governor said he wants to expand prekindergarten and special education programs and increase the amount of money spent on each public-school student in the state.

"This money is still just making up for what has been lost before," Dayton said. "It's not putting Minnesota even in the top 10 states for funding for education. It's restoring some of what was lost in the previous decade."

Dayton's $46 billion, two-year budget proposal — now being debated by legislative committees — continues a recent trend of increased spending on education. Since Dayton took office six years ago, the budget for public schools, currently about $17 billion for the two-year budget cycle, has risen by $1.5 billion.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/gov-mark-dayton-touts-new-education-spending-goals-609m-increase-over-two-years/413228463/