Committee votes 24–0 to repeal contingent $250 million special‑education cut, sending bill to Ways and Means

The House Education Finance Committee unanimously approved House File 4114 on April 14, voting 24–0 to repeal an automatic, contingent $250 million reduction to special‑education aid that had been tied to Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations. Representative Baker introduced the repeal as a step to preserve stability for districts and federally mandated services.

Representative Baker said the automatic cut would force districts to reduce services and shift special‑education costs into general education budgets. Testimony from school board chairs, superintendents and charter representatives described rising special‑education costs and workforce shortages. "One in five students receive special education services," said Allison Sherman, school board chair in Stillwater, urging protection from a $250 million automatic reduction.

Several witnesses said the proposed contingent cut would undermine earlier progress in reducing cross‑subsidies and could put districts at legal risk under federal maintenance‑of‑effort rules. Dr. Justin County, a Blue Ribbon Commission member, urged the committee to allow the commission to finish its work rather than impose a blunt automatic cut. School leaders from Duluth, Rochester and other districts described dramatic budget pressure and warned of reductions to classroom staff, programs and essential services if the cut moved forward.

The committee chair called the roll after testimony; the ayes carried 24–0 and House File 4114 was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.

What’s next: HF 4114 proceeds to Ways and Means; lawmakers emphasized the need for a state‑level budget solution rather than imposing automatic reductions on districts already stretched by special‑education costs.