Governor Dayton, in his veto message on the education bill, stated that “some Republicans hate public schools.” No Republican, or Democrat for that matter, hates public schools. On the contrary, legislators are the public schools’ strongest advocates including Rep. Peggy Bennett. A schoolteacher for 33 years, she was named Teacher of the Year in 2011.

The education bill passed with strong bipartisan support. That’s because it more than met funding expectations and included initiatives important to both Democrats and Republicans. The governor needs to stop criticizing, and join the bipartisan team of legislators who produced one of the best education bills in decades. His veto killed that bill. Replacing it requires him to join the team — the sooner, the better.

 

Bill Blazar                                                              

Interim President

Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce