The House Omnibus Education Bill extends the 25 percent increase in equity revenue to all school districts in the state. This revenue is currently available only to school districts with their administrative offices located in the 7-county metropolitan area. This increase is the only ongoing, widely-available, general fund increase in either the Senate or House Omnibus bills. See how this … Read More
House, Senate Provide Broadband Funding, Approaches Differ
The House and Senate both approved broadband funding last week in their omnibus bill packages. As one-time appropriations from both bodies, these funds would work to further provide high-speed internet access greater Minnesota by expanding availability and testing accuracy. But the approaches differ. The House on Wednesday passed the omnibus bill for agriculture, environment and natural resources, job growth, and energy affordability … Read More
Session Insight: Will Legislators Reach a Deal?
The 2016 legislative session must end three weeks from Monday and as expected we’re nowhere close to a grand bargain that would bring resolution to transportation, taxes, bonding and supplemental spending. This shouldn’t be a surprise as every legislative session sees the major issues pile up in partisan wrangling as we head down the stretch. View MREA’s complete side-by-side comparison of the legislative … Read More
Amendments of Interest Made in House, Senate Debates
Before the House and Senate approved their supplemental budget bills last week, a series of key amendments were made that impact P-12 education. MREA provided a brief overview of amendments of immediate interest below. View MREA’s complete side-by-side comparison of the legislative proposals. House Amendments Education Finance Chair Jennifer Loon (GOP Eden Prairie) added an amendment to increase the loan forgiveness program … Read More
Policy Concerns as End of Session Draws Near
The House and Senate are each bringing forth new education policy proposals, several of which create new mandates and reporting requirements. MREA encourages you to contact your legislators and urge them to work on striking these provisions from a final Education Policy bill that could emerge this session. Here are the primary issues of concern from the policy bills: House … Read More
Progress Update on MREA Platform Issues
The House and Senate are each bringing finance and policy proposals that MREA supports to end of session negotiations. Here’s a snapshot of some of the provisions, organized by the issues outlined on MREA’s 2016 legislative platform: Facility Fallout The House tax cut package contains an Agricultural school bond credit of 50 percent. MREA is in strong support of this … Read More
House, Senate Begin Negotiations
With four weeks left in the session, the House and Senate begin debating their respective supplemental budget proposals and pass them off the floor of each body. A supplemental budget conference committee then will begin sorting through the similarities and differences between the two bodies’ budget priorities in addition to what Governor Dayton wants in the final package in order to attain his … Read More
Broadband Speeds Draw Attention
The Governor, Senate and House all proposed significant investment in broadband expansion across rural Minnesota. Gov. Mark Dayton recommends the highest investment of $100 million, followed by the Senate at $85 million. The House proposes $40 million. At issue is how to prioritize the needs across the state. MREA is rooting for all three to resolve their differences and push substantial … Read More
Technology, Teacher Recruitment Top Priorities in Omnibus Bill
The House and Senate Education Committees passed their education finance bills on schedule last week. They neatly bracket the Governor’s target of $60.77 million. The Senate’s budget tops $100.5 million, while the House spends $52 million. Both bodies assume that several districts with Capital loans will repay their loans thus providing the state with an infusion of $52 million. Even … Read More
House Releases Budget, Senate to Follow
The House GOP released its E-12 target late last week with a focus on one-time funding. The Senate will follow with its plan this week. The House Plan The House proposal focuses on creating $53 million in one-time funding by offering favorable refinancing of facility debt for several Capital Loan districts. The plan assumes seven districts will take advantage of this … Read More