Friends and neighbors –
I have been getting some questions about the free school lunches and breakfasts bill, also known as universal free lunches, that Senate Democrats passed this week.
Helping hungry children get access to food is a goal that I think everyone agrees on. There are a lot of programs, food shelves, and social service resources that help accomplish this goal. In addition, students who need free and reduced lunch can get it through the school.
The Democrats’ bill provides free lunches for everyone, regardless of income level. But since low-income families already qualify, in effect the Democrats are providing free lunches to kids from wealthy families – in other words, kids who do not need it.
There are real crises in our schools. This is not one of them.
Only about half of Minnesota students can read at grade level. Test scores in math, reading, and science have fallen off a cliff over the last few years, after declining regularly for years.
Students are experiencing a mental health crisis. Schools are desperate for special education funding. They are pleading for resources to improve literacy instruction.
Instead of promoting free meals for kids from wealthy families and in wealthy school districts, these are the issues that we should be focusing on.
Contact me
I love hearing your feedback. If you have any questions or comments about the issues we are working on, please contact me anytime. My email is sen.glenn.gruenhagen@senate.mn, or you can call me at 651-296-4131.
Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/SenatorGlennGruenhagen.
It is a privilege to serve you. God Bless.