Dive Brief:
- Layoffs could start as early as June 1 now that Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a $17 billion education spending bill.
- Dayton rejected the bill because it included zero funding for his proposed universal pre-K plan, and he is hoping the move will help sway a reversal.
- According to Minnesota Management and Budget, if the spending bill is not in place by the new fiscal year, the state's education department will be forced to shut down and many schools will not get their necessary funding.
Dive Insight:
Dayton is pushing for GOP lawmakers to accept the $170 million he requested for universal, but not mandated, pre-K. Republicans, however, are particularly disappointed with his veto decision on the bipartisan spending bill, as they see it as an example of a good compromise.
Dayton's universal pre-K plan would have offered free, all-day classes to all four-year-olds in the state. Republicans, however, were concerned that schools would not be able to accomodate the plan and that there wouldn't be enough space for the influx of children.