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
Contact Special Session Leaders
Please contact these leaders of the 2015 Special Session and urge them to support the priorities of Minnesota’s educational organizations: Majority Leader Tom Bakk (651) 296.8881 www.senate.mn/senatorbakkemail Education Chair Chuck Wiger (651) 296-6820 www.senate.mn/senatorwigeremail Speaker Kurt Daudt (651) 296.5364 rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn Education Finance Chair Jennifer Loon (651) 296-7449 rep.jennifer.loon@house.mn Governor Dayton Email your questions and comments to Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor … Read More
3 Keys as Talks Start on Vetoed Education Bill
Governor Mark Dayton and Speaker Kurt Daudt will meet Tuesday to discuss next steps given a vetoed education bill. On behalf of all Greater Minnesota students, MREA wishes them well in their conversation and respectfully makes three suggestions: Start with HF 844 and add to it the provisions needed for a signature. HF 844 closes the biggest current rural-metro funding … 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
Early Start Date Included in Final Bill
MREA is still digging into the policy details of the final agreement reached by the Education Conference Committee early Sunday, but one thing is for sure: Districts can begin school on September 1, 2015 if they choose. This comes late in the planning process for schools, but for those who want to start before Labor Day for the 2015-16 school year … Read More
Need to Promote Teaching Careers as Interest Dwindles
A new report by ACT Inc. shows the percentage of high school graduates intending to become teachers has declined to 5 percent. Citing the report, a StarTribune editorial on May 11 said, “Education has a pipeline problem, and that problem will only get worse unless more intentional efforts are undertaken to attract good candidates to the field.” The editorial called on education partners such … Read More
Tax Conference Committee Reviews Ed Issues
The Tax Conference Committee met several times last week and reviewed topics of interest to education. They didn’t take any action on these provisions. Like all of the conference committees, they’re waiting for a leadership agreement to give them a spending target and direction before finalizing their bill. View the latest side-by-side on the issues. Agricultural Production Land Tax Relief The … Read More