Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Pugmire
St. Paul, Minn.

DFLers charge GOP budget bill targets poor, minorities

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Several DFL legislators say that Republican budget cuts would unfairly target low-income and minority children.

They held a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol Thursday to highlight the potential harm of recently passed cuts in education, health care and public safety programs.

Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis, said the GOP budget would put poor children at greater risk of remaining in poverty as adults.

"Children of color and American-Indian children in Minnesota already face the largest resource gaps of any state in the nation, she said. "The proposed Republican cuts are a direct assault on Minnesota's communities of color."

Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, said the implied discrimination is false. Hann said GOP leaders are simply trying to do the best they can with available revenue.

"I don't think any of the things in the budget have anything to do with racial politics. I think trying to inject racial politics into the budget is a little strange," he said.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch of Buffalo said the Republican budget makes some changes in school funding to try a new approach to closing the persistent achievement gap.