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  All public school children must have equal access to a high quality education regardless of where they live in Minnesota.
Legislative Update
A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts		April 8, 2011

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.

Brad Lundell, Executive Director for SEE, writes a blog on almost a daily basis.  For up-to-date information about what is happening at the capitol visit Brad's Blog.
In This Issue
What's happening at the Capitol
The beginnings of the education policy omnibus bill
Other resources
What can you do?
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List

 What's happening at the Capitol

The House and Senate finished passing all the major budget bills this week.   However on the education front it's been a rather quite week. 

 

The House and Senate passed their Education Finance Omnibus bills last week and now must convene a conference committee made up of five members from each body to negotiate one single bill.   The Senate has not named their conferees.  The House conferees are:

 

Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) - Chair of the House Education Finance Committee

Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton) - Chair of the House Education Reform Committee

Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing) - Vice-chair of the House Education Finance Committee

Rep. Connie Doepke (R-Orono) - Vice-chair of the House Education Reform Committee

Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) - Member of the House Education Finance Committee

 

To be named to the conference committee, a legislator must vote yes when the education finance omnibus were passed on the floor.  Typically, one member from the minority party will vote yes to qualify which did not happen in the House last week.    

 

The education finance omnibus bill is headed for a sure veto from the Governor as it will contain numerous policy provisions that the Governor clearly does not support. 

 

The Senate GOP leaders want to begin negotiations on a final global budget agreement with the Governor and the House leadership saying it would be more productive to hold these talks while the major budget bills are in conference committees.  Read more. 

 
The beginnings of the education policy omnibus bill

Our elected leaders continue to shape and define policy with the clear intent to increase student achievement.  Minnesota is recognized as a national leader in K-12 education due in part to the high standards and expectations set in place at the state level.   By definition, an education policy omnibus bill cannot generate any cost to the state.  If a policy provision requires state dollars, it must be included in the education finance omnibus.  However, as we know from experience with unfunded mandates, policy changes usually costs our schools precious dollars to implement.  At this time of scarce resources, care must be taken when crafting the education policy omnibus bill. 

 

Check out the education committees upcoming meetings schedule to see what bills are coming before the committees. 

 Other Resources

2011 Education Bills spreadsheet - Information on the education omnibus bills and a comprehensive spreadsheet of relevant education bills.

 

Schedule of education committee meetings - a updated listing of education committee meetings and other committee meetings that are hearing education bills.  

 

To read more details about the activity at the Capitol this week, check out Brad's Blog.

What can you do?
The decisions that will most impact our children and their schools are made at the STATE Capitol.  Since children can't advocate for themselves, it up to us to be their voice.  
       
  • Stay informed.  Take the time to read SEE Legislative Updates. I will work to keep you informed and will suggest ways that you can help.  Be prepared to act at critical times when I send out action alerts.  Action can be as simple as sending an email or making a phone call. 
  • 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 a education supporters network so we can respond when critical times occur during the legislative session.  In this political world, it is the voice of many that 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

    deb.griffiths@schoolsforequity.org

    www.schoolsforequity.org