The Governor’s proposed budget that was released on Tuesday would have a series of effects on Greater Minnesota schools. Here’s a look at six ways it could impact you: Basic Formula Governor Dayton promised during his campaign to increase the basic formula allowance in each year he’s in office. He accomplished that with ‘50&50’ on the formula in his first … Read More
MREA Shares Financial Requests with Senate E-12
MREA lobbyists Sam Walseth and Vernae Hasbargen on Thursday shared major financial requests of the legislature this session and their reaction to the governor’s budget with the Senate E-12 Budget Division. They gave kudos to the Governor for putting new state revenue on the table and made these three key requests: Do more than the down payment the Governor is … Read More
Governor Releases Budget
Governor Dayton released Tuesday his budget plan and as expected he’s proposing a significant expansion of the sales tax and an upper income tax increase in order to generate revenue to balance the budget, invest in education and give homeowners a property tax rebate. In an attempt to make it cost neutral to the average consumer, he’s proposing to lower … Read More
Commissioner Hosts Open House on Tax Reform Jan. 17
MREA Board Members and Superintendents attending the MSBA Leadership Conference have an excellent opportunity to connect with some of Governor Dayton’s top staff as the budget begins to be rolled out in an informal setting the Thursday evening of the MSBA Conference. Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans will host a Tax Reform Open House from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Department of … Read More
House Ed Finance Committee Up and Running
Chairman Paul Marquart wasted no time in getting the House Education Finance Committee together and off the ground. They met Thursday in a ‘meet and greet’ session. Chairman Marquart asked the members to outline their priorities for education this session. Almost every members, from both sides of the aisle, stated they are here to work on closing the achievement gap and creating more … Read More
Who’s Behind the Minnesota Education Bill
Minnesota’s 88th legislature will be sworn in Tuesday at noon in what is traditionally ceremonial day with family at the Capitol. Major spending and policy decisions await the new legislature, but the first few weeks of session will start out slow. But soon the omnibus education bill will take center stage. The Senate E-12 Budget Division is responsible for producing the … Read More
State School Finance Group Finalizes Recommendations
After a year and a half of work, the state’s School Finance Task Force finalized recommendations on a broad range of education finance reform measures. Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius will take the recommendations to Governor Dayton who is in the process of developing his budget recommendations for 2014-15 for the incoming legislature to review. Several previous attempts have been … Read More
New Leadership Announced in Legislature
Since the election, the four caucuses have chosen their leaders. Here’s a rundown: Senate Majority Leader – Senator Tom Baak (DFL – Cook) Senate Minority Leader – Senator David Hann (R – Eden Prairie) Speaker of the House – Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL – Minneapolis) House Majority Leader – Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL – St. Paul) House Minority Leader – … Read More
Melcher Speaks on School Funding Shifts at MREA Conference
Tom Melcher, director of school finance at the Minnesota Department of Education, presented on shifts education funding and sought feedback on reform from teachers, school board members and administrators Nov. 12 at the MREA Annual Conference. Melcher has been working with the Education Finance Working Group and hosting community listening sessions. The Working Group has been reviewing a decade of … Read More
Finance Task Force Explores Key Options Tuesday
The MDE Education Finance Task Force meets Tuesday to further explore six key options to solidify its recommendations to the Governor on bringing stability to the state’s funding formula. The group, initially formed in 2011 and reconvened this year, is focused on making recommendations to the Governor for a school funding model that: Focuses on supporting students and results (accountable) … Read More