Tuesday evening several House and Senate committees are gathering to hear from experts about what it will take for Minnesota to have the world’s best workforce. They will hear about demographic trends and explore pathways and strategies for achieving this goal. Current Snapshot From scientific and high-tech professionals, to most any kind of management expertise, to well trained trades and … Read More
Forecast and Budget Targets Coming
The current budget forecast shows a projected deficit of $1.1 billion for the next two fiscal years. The February forecast is due on the Feb. 28 and recent legislative action should improve the bottom line for the next two years by a slight amount. The legislature took quick action on adopting a federal health care reform option to enroll poor Minnesotans … Read More
In Committee: Assessments, Licensure Exams and Integration
There are any number of education policy issues that could consume a vast amount of committee time. This session, however, it appears that assessments, licensure exams and integration aid are going to be the focus of discussion. Both the House and Senate Education Policy committees have started digging into these issues. It’s unclear where they”ll end up. Here’s where they … Read More
House Committee Looks at Shifting Priorities
The House Education Finance committee took up a handful of bills (HF 1, 53, 134, 235) last Tuesday dealing with the school aid payment and property tax recognition shifts. Several legislators in the House on both sides of the aisle are advocating repaying the school aid payment schedule back to the 90/10 schedule before any new money goes to education … Read More
Budget Dynamics “Under the Capitol Dome”
Gov. Dayton’s revenue plan has come under much scrutiny since being unveiled, particularly by the business community. The “business to business” sales tax expansion is causing the most heartburn among the business community. Several House DFLers have expressed opposition to that portion of the plan. If that portion of his plan falls by the way side the question is what … Read More
House Addresses Payment Shift Tuesday
The House Education Finance committee on Tuesday morning will review legislation related to the school payment shift. HF 1 would mandate the school payment schedule to 90/10 by the start of the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2013. The current payment schedule is 82.5/17.5, therefore at a cost of $70 million/point HF 1 costs about $525 million. The … Read More
Education Policy Reforms Emerge at Capitol
Two education policy reforms are emerging at the State Capitol. A new bill was introduced to repeal a law made last session related to Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLE) and the Senate Education Policy Committee on Tuesday will address recommendations from the Assessment and Accountability Working Group. Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams The House Education Policy committee reviewed recent changes made … Read More
Recommendations on Integration Aid Reform Presented
Reforming the state’s Integration Aid program is proving to be one of the most vexing issues within the education finance world. The last omnibus E-12 budget bill (July 2011) called for the sunset of the $92 million in revenue associated with this program and for a task force to take up the cause of redesigning and repurposing these funds. Last … Read More
Inside the Governor's State of the State
Last Wednesday, Governor Dayton delivered his state of the state address to the legislature. His budget proposal and priorities encompassed the 45-minute speech. Here are some key topics he addressed: Tax Cuts: He criticized the tax cuts of the late 1990’s as they didn’t grow the jobs promised and instead saddled the state with large deficits. He said real solutions … Read More
Legislative Forum Proves Effective
Every February, MASA Region 1 holds one of the most effective legislative forums in Minnesota. School leaders from the region organize information about school finances and policy issues facing their districts. Legislators from the entire region are invited in to list their school leaders. MREA participated in this year’s forum on Feb. 2 in Rochester. The program is well designed and allows leaders … Read More