ST. PAUL, Minn. - When it comes to the thousands of girls across Minnesota who are at risk of ending up in the sex trade, early intervention can change their course in life. University of Minnesota researcher Lauren Martin is author of a report on how reaching these vulnerable girls before it's too late can benefit both the girls and the state.

"So if we do that early prevention and do work with those girls to make sure they don't become victims of sex trafficking, we project in the study that we will save $34 for every $1 that's invested in that prevention program. So there's a human cost, but there's also a pretty clear and substantial financial cost to the state."

Advocates this year are seeking $13 million in state funding to help develop a service model for sex-trafficked youth so they are identified, housed and receive services that are victim-centered.

The request for funding comes at a time of tight finances, but Martin says the return on investment comes quickly when it comes to preventing sex trading and trafficking.

"One thing that we did in our study was we looked at 'Where are the greatest savings, in what year?' And the greatest savings are in years one and two after the prevention project, so the impact on the budget happens pretty quickly."

The study was done on behalf of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. Executive director Suzanne Koepplinger says Indian women are disproportionately affected by things like poverty, homelessness and sexual violence, so they are more vulnerable to trafficking.

"So, we have to be paying attention to the various ways that American Indians are being victimized, and we think that sexual violence against our women and children makes them more vulnerable to traffickers, and in fact we're very concerned about this in our communities."

Koepplinger also says it's time to bury the notion that remains among some that prostitution is a choice or a victimless crime. She says the average age a child enters the sex trade is 13 and dropping.

"Thirteen is the average age. We know that there are younger girls and sometimes boys, who are being sold into prostitution. If that child is traumatized and raped - brutally raped - every night, night after night for five years, when she turns 18, she has not just made a decision about her career."

Koepplinger says there also needs to be more done on the demand side, since if there weren't men out there buying these girls, then there wouldn't be a supply.

The FBI has identified Minnesota as one of about a dozen states with notable sex trafficking activity, particularly of juveniles.

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Child care advocates are pushing for increased funding as the budget deadline approaches this Friday.

Robyn Schelp, director of policy and advocacy for Kids Win Missouri, said ensuring increases to child care subsidies remain in the budget are vital for every Missourian whether they have children or not.

"It impacts the entire workforce," Schelp pointed out. "We have to stop thinking that this is a parent's issue. It isn't. If we want teachers in the classroom and doctors at their offices and whatnot, we have to make sure there's childcare for their kids."

The legislature adjourned after just about 10 minutes on Monday, following a record 41-hour filibuster which went to 4 a.m. Thursday without agreeing on a budget. Missouri lawmakers have only missed the budget deadline one time, in 1977.

Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin, R-Shelbina, the Senate Majority Leader said on social media Friday the Missouri Freedom Caucus only yielded the floor under the threat of a motion to end debate. She tried to introduce the Federal Reimbursement Allowance, which she said is crucial for funding to offset general revenue and vital for Medicaid services.

The budget includes child care subsidies under House Bill 2002. Schelp noted the House's proposal would support only 23,000 children, restricting expansion and compliance with federal guidelines.

"Our hope is that it stays with the governor's recommendation, of that $52 million," Schelp emphasized. "Allowing them to go to that 100th percentile of payment for infants and toddlers and then the 65th percentile for preschool and afterschool."

Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, is leading an effort to convince fellow members of his party to approve abortion restriction legislation and a bill on ballot initiatives in Missouri before agreeing to a vote on the reimbursement allowance.

A plan to use public money to fund vouchers for students to attend private schools is drawing pushback from Louisiana teachers, who say the plan could devastate the public school system.

The program making its way through the Louisiana Legislature would be first available to low-income students and by the 2027-2028 school year, it would be available to all students.

Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, predicts the plan could cause significant budget cuts for public schools.

"These universal voucher bills are a step in the wrong direction," Carter argued. "We've seen in other states around the country, like Arizona and Ohio, where these bills have been passed, they're now facing a budget crisis, and we're hoping that we cannot go down that same road."

Carter pointed out the education savings account program known by the acronym LA GATOR would allow as much as $7,500 per student from families below 250% of the Federal Poverty Line, and $5,000 for those who make more.

The plan, House Bill 745 and companion Senate Bill 313, has been approved by the state House. The Senate is expected to vote on it by Friday or Monday.

Carter explained teachers are concerned classroom standards currently mandated for public schools would not be upheld in private or parochial schools.

"We want to make sure it has some accountability," Carter emphasized. "We think that's at least giving all education stakeholders and parents an opportunity to talk about whether this program is successful or not. And through accountability practices, we think that will help."

There is concern the plan would force public schools to eliminate many positions and needed programs. Carter fears the loss of funds could deprive students of the benefits of a public school education.

"If we're cutting that funding stream, Louisiana students will have fewer nurses and counselors, less options for after school program, and certainly limited access to field trips and AP courses that help prepare them for their next step in life," Carter outlined.

New York City advocates are excited yet concerned about the 2025 budget.

In recent weeks, funding was restored to certain education programs such as shelter-based community coordinators. They helped more than 40,000 city students living in temporary housing. Funding for school psychologists and social workers was also restored.

Randi Levine, policy director at Advocates for Children of New York, said other programs need to be saved.

"Funding is running out for the Mental Health Continuum, which is a program that provides students in 50 schools with access to expedited mental health care, and is very important especially when we have a youth mental health crisis," Levine asserted.

Other programs facing cuts include restorative-justice practices which help schools reduce suspension. The budget's feedback has been mixed considering many programs will stay, although some could still be cut. Although the programs began using short-term funding, Levine feels their lasting effects in a post-pandemic world make them a permanent necessity.

Immigrant education programs are on the chopping block too. Promise NYC provides child care for kids regardless of their immigration status, and the immigrant family communication and outreach initiative helps parents who do not speak English learn about their kids' school.

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said it would be a mistake to cut funds for things such as the language access program.

"That program, which would expand language access across the city of New York, which would build an interpreter bank as well as build translation cooperatives across the city and could save the city millions of dollars, was defunded and not restored," Awawdeh pointed out.

He added the recently passed state budget does give New York City enough funding to restore certain initiatives, but not enough to bolster others. Awawdeh argued with housing unaffordability continuing and people struggling to make ends meet, the city has to step up to aid everyday New Yorkers.


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