Minnesota Legislature Passes Free School Meals Bill Despite GOP Opposition

Minnesota state Senator Steve Drazkowski opposed a bill that would provide free breakfast and lunches to students in the state, claiming he has "yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry." The proposed bill, which passed the Minnesota senate on Tuesday, will provide free meals for all students in the state, with no income-based restrictions. Drazkowski has a history of opposing measures to ease the burden of educational costs on families, including early childhood spending. Opposition to food and nutrition subsidies has increased with the recapture of the House by Republicans in the 2022 midterms.