NEWS RELEASE
Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 49B – 651-296-7449– rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn.gov
567 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marlee Schlegel
651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov
April 20, 2023
House passes Children, Families, and Early Learning budget
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Tonight, the Minnesota House voted to pass the Children, Families, and Early Learning budget. The bill invests more than $2 billion in early care and learning, homelessness prevention and support, food security, child welfare, and more.
The bill contains several pieces of legislation authored by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL – Eden Prairie) including funding to support the Reach Out and Read program, expand our nation-leading Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) program statewide, and provide caregivers the training, support, and flexibility they need and create a pilot program for executive function curriculum.
“Data has shown time and time again that when we invest in our littlest Minnesotans, the returns are massive,” said Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn. “These programs are effective, common-sense ways to help give our kids the Great Start they deserve and make Minnesota the best place to raise a family. Systemic disinvestment in early care and learning has led to a crisis for families, early childhood educators and childcare providers, but under united DFL leadership, we’re prioritizing and protecting the future of our most precious resource – the next generation.”
The bill now awaits action in the Senate.
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