Senate Education Chair Roger Chamberlain (R- Lino Lakes) released the following statement in advance of Governor Tim Walz’s visit to Chamberlain’s district to announce summer school funding: 

“We said it all year: The Governor’s argument that the state desperately needed to fund summer school was an unnecessary threat. There was always plenty of federal money available to meet — and exceed — all our summer school needs. Senate Republicans approved his use of the federal funds, and the Governor followed through. I’m glad schools will get the support they need to help students and families recover from disastrous school closures. 

“There is one more step the Governor needs to take: it is time to unmask the kids. All the data says it’s safe. There’s no good reason to make kids remain masked any longer.”