Sun Current

A 2025 law mandating a $250 million cut to special education is prompting bipartisan pushback at the Minnesota Capitol, as school districts warn of widespread negative impacts. Last year, the Legislature passed a law establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission, tasking it with finding $250 million in special education cuts by October 2026, with reductions set to take effect in July 2027. The commission says it needs more time to complete its work. But the law states the cuts are mandatory, regardless of whether specific reductions are identified. A bill authored by Rep. Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan, would give the commission more time and eliminate the automatic funding cut. The measure was unanimously advanced in the House Education Finance Committee on April 14 and is headed to another committee for further consideration.

In addition to nearly a dozen in-person testifiers, 214 people submitted testimony expressing their support for his bill, Bakeberg said. Under a 2023 law, the state currently pays 50% of the gap between the cost of special education services and the amount covered by federal and state aid.