Incoming Senate Education Committee Chairman Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Walz’s announcement regarding the phased-in opening of schools for elementary-aged students:

“The science and data are clear: kids need to be back in school now and it will be safe. Being out of school has done great harm to our kids and every day they are not in school it gets worse. The governor’s proposal includes only K-6 and it could take nearly two months to execute. 

“Focused Protection is the plan to follow. Across the country and around the world kids of all ages are safely back in school. There is simply no reason to continue down this path of continued closures and delays.

“It appears the governor is simply out of touch with the struggles of the average citizen. The kids cannot wait any longer. He can’t do it all on his own. He needs the legislature’s help to get this right. We are ready to provide assistance and help develop a plan of Focused Protection. We are the body most closely connected to the public; we are the most responsive to the issues on their minds. Unless and until the legislature is involved in the planning, the governor is going to continue to make the same mistakes.”