Nelson’s powerful committee is tasked with all policy and funding matters related to E-12 education

On Tuesday, November 27, Senator Carla Nelson [R-Rochester] was named Chairwoman of the Minnesota Senate Committee on E-12 Education Finance and Policy. Nelson, a former elementary and secondary teacher, has served as Chairwoman of the Senate E-12 Finance Committee since early 2017. Previously tasked with assembling the state’s major E-12 education budget and policy bill, Sen. Nelson’s new committee will take on additional responsibilities related to education policy matters in Minnesota.

“Education is the great equalizer. In a significant sense, it’s the moral, racial, and economic issue of the day,” stated Senator Nelson. “I look forward to building upon our student focused policies of the last legislative period and funding what works.”

In 2017, Senator Nelson authored a bipartisan comprehensive education bill that increased Minnesota’s per pupil funding formula by 2% each year, which was a key request of school districts and teachers statewide. The per pupil funding stream treats all students equally and gives districts the most flexibility in meeting their students’ needs. In real terms, the legislature increased education funding by $1.3 billion over the previous two-year period, raising total state education funding to over $18.7 billion.

Additionally, the 2017 E-12 budget and policy bill overhauled Minnesota’s broken teacher licensure system by creating the new Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). The licensure reforms allow for qualified experts to teach in the classroom and helps tackle Minnesota’s teacher shortage.

“Education policy and education funding must work together. Similarly, the Senate, House and Governor need to work together. Regardless of political party, we can all agree that educating Minnesota’s students is a top priority,” added Senator Nelson. “This session, I will work with our new governor and legislative colleagues to focus on students and fund what works.”