The Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition has been very busy! We have been advocating for legislation that would maintain school funding and also to reform policies that would reduce legitimate district decision making, (unfunded mandates). We participated in a joint "LAC Day at the Capitol" and have made multiple trips to the state legislature to speak with our legislators.
John Neumann from Robbinsdale Area Schools testified on behalf of the Care and Treatment bill. This bill was introduced by Rep. Sandra Peterson and Sen. Ann Rest on behalf of Robbinsdale Area Schools. For more details click here:
We are closely following a bill that would provide early childhood scholarships by taking school readiness funds from all districts across Minnesota. The bill has several very good provisions but we cannot support it until guaranteed it has its own funding source. Robbinsdale uses our school readiness funds to provide access to our Creative Play preschool program for at-risk students.
We are very disappointed that at the federal level, Congress has eliminated continued funding for our Even Start Family Literacy Program and also discontinued funding of our Smaller Learning Communities Grant. We are speaking with our federal and state legislators on these important issues, including a meeting with Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius. We are also working to schedule an appointment with Rep. John Kline who now chairs the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee and has direct decision-making authority on funding for these two programs.
Legislative finance bills approaching March 25 deadline to clear committees. House and Senate budget committees have until a deadline of next Friday, March 25 to finish omnibus finance bills. This is a very busy time at the legislature so stay tuned as things are really starting to happen fast. They will be working overtime to put together their respective budget bills by the agreed-to deadline of 11:59 p.m. on March 25.
It is very much a positive that the Governor, House and Senate all prioritized education and did not propose significant cuts. HOWEVER, and this is a large however, it is far from over. This is the time for concerned citizens to make your voices heard.
Contact our legislators and leadership to thank them for their prioritizing education, but to remain strong in their resolve to continue prioritizing education funding.
Other bills of interest:
There are many bills that have been introduced that would lessen state mandates on schools. In general, the LAC is supportive of these bills. However, there are a number of bills that go further (and sometimes these bills have both items included) and track into areas of collective bargaining rights. The LAC is not supportive of these bills.
Integration funding: What the bill means, in brief: Current law has cities of "the first class" receiving per-pupil integration aid of $480 for Minneapolis, $445 for St. Paul, and $206 for Duluth. In the 1990s, when the aid was expanded to other districts, new funding of about $120 per pupil came in for those districts. Much of this per-pupil disparity has its roots in the vagaries of law-making. Among other things, this bill decreases the funding to Minneapolis, Duluth and St. Paul to $120 per pupil, returning the rest of the dollars to the state's general fund. There are also other discussions occurring on this issue.
Compensatory funding: SF 618 This bill institutes a learn-to-read grant program to ensure third graders attain reading proficiency. The grants are provided from current compensatory funds.
Vouchers: HF273 is a voucher bill and listening to this hearing (html) helps you understand the arguments. Click here for more information:
High stakes testing: HF558 repeals the current moratorium requiring passage of the "GRAD" (Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma) test to receive a high school diploma. Click here for more information:
Spending Targets Released
House and Senate Leaders released their spending targets for the various state agencies. The spending targets provide the broad outline of how the legislature will resolve the projected $5 billion deficit and how much each finance committee must cut or increase within its respective jurisdiction. Legislative leadership announced that their plan does not include any state tax increases. The targets provide the broad parameters of the budget and we will not know the details of the budget plan until each committee develops its respective omnibus bill. Click here for more information:
Upcoming Events:
Parents United's 9th annual PARENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Where Do We Go From Here?
Monday, April 11, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
TIES Grand Hall, Snelling & Larpenteur, St. Paul
