Where is the Residential and Commercial Value per ADM? MREA analyzed the data and today released a map on Referendum Market Value per ADM in Minnesota. The illustrative analysis provided some unexpected results. Some key findings include: The highest value of Referendum Market Value per ADM are in the Twin Cities, the Central Lakes and Arrowhead areas of the state. Having … Read More
MREA Releases Map on Voter Approved Referendums in Minnesota
Where have voters approved referendums? MREA analyzed the data and created a map on voter approved operating referendums per ADM in Minnesota. The map shows a pattern of inequity by geography. The lowest voter approved referendums are in the North Central and NE areas of the state. The highest voter approved referendums are in the Twin Cities suburbs and in small … Read More
School Property Tax Issues Emerge
A coalition of organizations including MREA, SEE and SEIU are pushing the legislature to take on school property tax reform. A number of school property tax issues are emerging and will be reviewed this coming week. The issues include putting Seasonal & Recreational property taxes back into school operating referenda (SF 386), increasing operating referenda and debt service equalization. Education … Read More
MREA Testifies on Budget Target
The Governor’s E-12 budget has been reviewed in the House and Senate. Testimony has been delivered by many organizations including MREA. Most of the organizational testimony was at the 10,000 foot level giving kudos to the Governor’s plan, but requesting additional funds to help with the first fiscal year’s low increase of 1%. MREA offered this funding fact sheet to the … Read More
House & Senate Education Committees Work in Tandem
The coordination of issues and efforts between House and Senate Education committee this year seems unprecedented. In most years, even when one party controls both legislative bodies, we see divergent policy and finance threads emerge very early. That’s not the case so far this year. In fact, the two bodies have held more joint hearings than probably in several previous … Read More
MREA Releases Maps Showing American Indian Students in Schools
MREA has been actively engaged in better understanding how Minnesota schools can serve their growing American Indian student populations. MREA analyzed data and released two maps today showing the number of American Indian students by district and their percentage of total district population. Where are AMI students across the state? MREA’s analysis of the number of American Indian students by … Read More
Week Ahead: World's Best Workforce
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