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Legislative Update A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts |
March 26, 2010 |
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If this is your first Legislative Update from SEE - Welcome!
For those who have been with us through the years - Thank you!
SEE publishes this Legislative Update weekly during the legislative session.
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What's happening at the Capitol \
The overall budget scenario is unfolding. The House and Senate separately passed their omnibus budget bills and are now in conference committee trying to work out their differences. These budget omnibus bills address all areas of government EXCEPT Health & Human Services(H&HS) and K-12 Education. Including H&HS, the House and Senate are planning to make approximately $620 million in total cuts and are counting on $408 million in federal funding from the Jobs Bill that is expected to pass. For more detailed information, visit Minnesota Budget Bites
With the passage of the Health Care Reform in Washington DC, the legislature is anticipating upwards of $300 million in additional federal funds that will help with the deficit. However, the Governor believes that number will be closer to $20 million. Hmmm . . . quite a large discrepancy. Yet, if there is at least $200 million dollars, the $1.2 deficit will be resolved without any additional cuts to education. CAUTION: this house of cards is built on receiving approximately $700 million in federal dollars. |
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It was a flurry of activity in the House and Senate Education Finance committees this week as the third committee deadline is on Monday, March 29, the day before the legislature leaves for Spring Break. I have listed the bills heard at the bottom of the update.
The House and Senate Education Finance Chairs are very aware that there is no money to spend in education. Thus, any bill with a fiscal note should not be considered any further. It is expected that the House and the Senate will craft their education omnibus bills over the weekend and may have them in committee on Monday, March 29. If not then, we will see the bills when the legislators return from Spring Break on April 6. Given the circumstances, we hope our legislators act responsibly and craft the omnibus bills with few policy provisions (as policy rarely comes without a price tag for our schools.) | |
Discretionary levy authority could help
Considering Minnesota's economic outlook, the State is unlikely to provide ANY funding for our schools for at least five years. Flat funding would be the best case, it is likely that education will be cut in the next biennium. Therefore, the education committees are looking at broadening the school boards authority to levy for funding without voter-approval.
SEE fundamentally does not believe our schools should be funded through property taxes because the cost to the taxpayer is based on the property wealth of the individual districts. W e find that property poor districts may not be able to access these dollars because of the heavy burden to the taxpayer. The quality of a child's education should not depend merely on where they live. Clearly, funding through local property taxes could increase the disparity in funding between districts throughout the state. However, the State's financial situation is so dire that the only new funding our schools will see in the coming years may be through property tax increases.
It is interesting to note that cities, counties and townships boards all have the ability to increase property taxes to meet the needs of their programs. Only school boards have to go to their voters to ASK for a tax increase. Referendums tend to be more about people protesting taxes in general rather than focusing on what is good for the children and their schools.
Three bills were heard this week that provide additional discretionary board levy authority. As of now the Governor does not support these bills. So even if they are incorporated in the education omnibus bill, they may cause a veto. We will watch to see what happens.
SF3088(Lynch)/HF3503(Newton) - School districts may levy to cover the cost of increased employer contribution rates for pension plans.
SF2769(Betzold)/HF3063(Newton) - School district are authorized to renew an expiring referendum by action of the school board.
SF3317(Bonoff)/HF3699(Greiling) - School districts may levy for $200 per pupil unit by board authority in years where the State does not provide inflationary increases to K-12 education funding. |
What You Can Do
Email your state senator and representative and let them know how important K-12 education is to you and that you appreciate that K-12 education funding seems to be spared from further cuts this session. Click here to find out who represents you. This is no time to be complacent. In this political arena, it is vital that education advocates speak up for education. A very simple note to your legislators will let them know that their constituents are informed and concerned. Pass these updates on and ask your friends to sign up to receive SEE's Legislative Updates so they too can be part of our network. Now is the time to build education support networks so that when critical times occur during the legislative session we can respond. In the political world, it is the voice of many that can make a difference. |
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Working together, we can make a difference.
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Deb Griffiths
Director of Communications and Community Outreach
Schools for Equity in Education
612-309-0089
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Bills heard in committee this week
Senate Committee on Education
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
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S.F. 2405 |
Bakk |
School district sparsity revenue guarantee extension. |
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S.F. 2375 |
Stumpf |
Independent school district #356, Lancaster; transition revenue adjustment. |
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S.F. 3064 |
Stumpf |
Northwestern Online College in the high school program appropriations. |
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S.F. 3063 |
Stumpf |
Career and technical education levy formula adjustment. |
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S.F. 2901 |
Bonoff |
School districts and charter schools shared services grant program establishment and appropriation. |
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S.F. 2943 |
Rummel |
Community-centered schools pilot project establishment. |
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S.F. 2670 |
Torres Ray |
K-12 special education third-party billing process provision modification. |
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S.F. 3000 |
Saltzman |
Charter school state aid payment schedule and cash flow adjustment. |
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S.F. 2542 |
Murphy |
St. Charles disaster aid authorization. |
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S.F. 3079 |
Sheran |
Postsecondary enrollment options program modifications. |
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S.F. 2550 |
Kubly |
School district contract deadline penalty for failure to reach a collective bargaining agreement one-time exemption. |
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S.F. 3008 |
Latz |
School districts general education operating capital revenue use expansion for school closing costs. |
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S.F. 2384 |
Saltzman |
School districts referendum equalizing factor increase; second tier referendum equalization elimination. |
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S.F. 433 |
Bonoff |
School finance alternative facilities bonding and levy program modification. |
K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
No bills heard this week.
K-12 Education Finance Division
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
HF2887 (Drazkowski) Independent School District No. 858, St. Charles, disaster aid funding and declining pupil unit aid appropriation used to help the city cover revenue losses.
HF3404 (Mariani) Aid payment schedule modified for certain charter schools.
HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.
HF3487 (Newton) Conciliation conference requirements clarified, and Minnesota Department of Education directed to amend two special education rules.
HF2885 (Davnie) Capital project referendum ballot language modified in cases where the same level of taxing authority is renewed.
HF3237 (Huntley) Health care provisions changed relating to education plan requirements, health access program, private nursing coverage, children's health insurance reauthorization act, long-term care, asset transfers, clinics, dental benefits, prior authorization, drug formulary and administrative committees, preferred drugs, multisource drugs, health plans, claims against the state, and eligibility standards. - article 1 only
HF3008 (Anzelc) Type III vehicle drivers requirements amended.
HF331 (Nornes) Seat belt requirements amended for motor coaches used in school-related transportation.
HF3347 (Urdahl) School concession stands established as a specific category of food and beverage service establishments.
HF2728 (Abeler) Explosive growth revenue added to district's general education revenue.
HF3503 (Newton) School districts authorized to levy pay costs attributable to increase in employer contribution rates for pension plans.
HF3063 (Newton) School district authorized to renew an expiring referendum by action of the school board.
HF3699 (Greiling) School district discretionary levy authorized.
Governor's charter school property tax exemption proposal (see HF3306, article 6, section 2)
HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.
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| Education Committees
The senate has combined the education policy and education budget committees. That seems wise particularly in these tough economic times since rarely does an education policy or mandate come without any cost to our schools.
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