Reader Opinion: Work for all Minnesotans – Brainerd Dispatch

To Representative Knudsen’s Guest Opinion of a few weeks ago, I respectfully submit this response.

This is a common political tactic in Republican messaging. Claiming that the Democrats spent all this money but it won’t go to the right priority, when the Republican priority is always to cut and privatize public education.

The $2.2 billion increase in education funding does have attached strings to try to affect student centered change. I agree that less strings and general funding without strings would be better. The reality is that in the small school in which I teach, the funding usable for general educational purposes increased by 12.5% in 2023-24 and a smaller 1.5% in 2024-25. Which is probably the largest biennium increase since I began teaching in 2003.

A bigger issue is the continued maligning of professional teachers and the denigration of public schools by those within the Republican party who favor using public money for private schools. If Representative Knudsen was advocating for solid, ongoing funding for educational needs of public school students across Minnesota, she would find Democratic partners. If she were advocating for local government aid and state wide solutions to help fund school maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, she would have Democrats with whom to cooperate on school and property taxpayer support and relief.

Minnesota is not two states, but one great state with needs in greater Minnesota and in and around the Twin Cities none of which can be ignored. If Representative Knudsen spent her energies working to understand and serve she’d have many people willing to work with her for Minnesotans.

Brian M. Hobson

Park Rapids