The Latest: Minnesota House passes education budget bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Latest on Minnesota’s education budget (all times local):

8 p.m.

The Republican-controlled Minnesota house has passed a budget for public schools and universities.

The legislation approved Monday is the first in a series of slim spending packages in the House as legislative leaders aim to save the state’s $900 million budget surplus for tax cuts and road and bridge repairs.

The education budget would add an extra $55 million to public school funding to boost teacher diversity and some early learning programs. That’s less than half the size of the Democratic-majority Senate’s plan. It passed 84-46.

House Democrats call it a missed opportunity. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen says the Legislature should tap the surplus to boost preschool options and offer tuition relief to college students.

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2:30 p.m.

Minnesota lawmakers are starting to turn toward handling a $900 million budget surplus.

The Republican-controlled House was set to take the first turn Monday with a budget for public schools and universities. It’s the first in a series of slim spending packages in the House as legislative leaders aim to save the surplus for tax cuts and road and bridge repairs.

It would add an extra $55 million to public school funding to boost teacher diversity and some early learning programs. That’s less than half the size of the Democratic majority Senate’s plan. A vote was expected later Monday.

House Democrats call it a missed opportunity. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen says the Legislature should tap the surplus to boost preschool options and offer tuition relief to college students.