On Friday, a new and improved $525 million E-12 bill emerged for approval during an upcoming special session. This bill includes 2&2 on the formula, more money in existing early learning programs like scholarships and school readiness and a major expansion of American Indian Education funding. Statewide access to an equalized levy for deferred maintenance funding stayed in the final … Read More
Special Session Plans
On Friday, the House Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee held a joint hearing to review four bills that are paving the way to a special session. Included in this package of bills is the new and improved E-12 bill that contains $525 million in new spending on a variety of education initiatives over the next two years. The … Read More
Talks Continue: Universal Pre-K Dead
An agreement on the outstanding education issues is elusive after Gov. Mark Dayton and House Speaker Kurt Daudt met four days in a row last week. One thing Gov. Dayton and Speaker Daudt agreed to quickly is that the Special Session would be held in the State Office Building. Several hearing rooms are large enough to hold each body, it is … Read More
GOP Counters Dayton's K-12 Education Offer
The GOP on Friday afternoon countered Gov. Mark Dayton’s initial proposal for a K-12 education agreement for a special session. View the Governor’s priorities. The GOP’s offer includes starting with HF844 as vetoed and add: $125 million additional spending for FY 16/17 for: Formula to 2 percent increase each year (2&2) Increase School Readiness Funding by $21.5 million (for total of … Read More
Gov. Dayton Shares Priority List
Gov. Mark Dayton shared his priority list for K-12 education, totaling $250 million in funding. The list comes after Dayton vetoed the E-12 bill approved by the Minnesota Legislature in an effort to gain support for universal Pre-K. Many of the priorities listed by the governor also were included in the Conference Committee Report. Governor’s Priorities Here’s a breakdown of … Read More
Ed Organizations Agree to Special Session Priorities
MREA and five other Minnesota education organizations met last week and all agreed to four talking points to guide the special session negotiations in St. Paul. Start with the Conference Report HF 844 and add to it to HF 844 Increase the formula to at least 2% and 2% For early learning, start with School Readiness and phase in additional Pre-K Resolve … Read More
Governor Officially Vetoes Education Bill
Governor Dayton today officially vetoed the E-12 education bill HF844. He was presented with all the final budget bills at 6pm on Wednesday, May 20. The state’s constitution gave him three days after presentment to either sign, veto, or let the bills become law without his signature. What’s in the bill? View the issues that matter to you. Governor to Push for More … Read More
Compare the Education Bill and Governor's Proposals
After Governor Dayton said Tuesday in a press conference he would veto the E-12 bill, MREA updated its side-by-side comparison of the omnibus education finance and policy bill HF 844, tax bills, and Governor Dayton’s budget proposals. View the comparison.
Final Day of Session: The Next Moves
Tonight at midnight, the 2015 session must end according to the state’s constitution. Legislative leaders have negotiated a two-year budget plan that, if signed into law by Governor Dayton, will spend $42 billion. The legislature’s plan leaves $1 billion on the bottom line for them to negotiate with when they come back into session on March 8, 2016. The budget plan does … Read More
Education Deal Reached with $400 Million Target
The Education Conference Committee convened early Sunday morning. The E-12 bill (HF 844) approved by the committee members spent the $400 million target that leadership gave them on the following major provisions for fiscal years 2016-17: Formula increases of 1.5% and 2%: $283.75 million (71% of $400 million) School Readiness: $30.75 million over two years Early Learning Scholarships: $30.75 million over two years Long … Read More