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
June 3 New Deadline to Submit Conference Proposal
MREA has extended to Wednesday, June 3 the deadline for submitting breakout session presentation proposals for its 2015 Annual Conference, Great Beginnings: When Learning Starts Early, Inspires and Applies. Help Students Start Strong, Finish Strong What is working in your organization to help students start strong and finish strong? Now think about sharing that information in a breakout session at MREA’s Annual Conference. Teachers, administrators, school … 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
Submit Presentation Ideas by June 3
MREA is now accepting presentation proposals for breakout sessions at its 2015 Annual Conference, Great Beginnings: When Learning Starts Early, Inspires and Applies. Think about the following when brainstorming presentation ideas from your district or organization: Best Programs and Practices What’s new and popular? What has helped educators and staff be more effective at their jobs? What has been refined over the years with … Read More
No Deal with One Week Left
The last week of the 2015 session ends one week from today. The three key leaders, Governor Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, and House Speaker Kurt Daudt, met over the weekend to continue negotiations on the budget, but as of this morning they don’t have a deal to announce. Whether or not the Legislature and Governor have a budget … Read More
Top Issues for Education Conference Committee
The Education Conference Committee met three times last week reviewing the details of the House and Senate plans. They didn’t take action on any items, as they’re waiting for a leadership deal on their spending target. They focused committee time on a handful of the more significant issues in play. MREA provides a snapshot of where each stands below. View latest side-by-side … Read More