➤ Information: Coalition letter re: Special Session & Speaker Hortman's response
Deb Henton
8/18/22
In recent meetings I have shared that MASA was approached to join a coalition of organizations requesting Governor Walz call a special session of the legislature. The MASA Executive Officers and I reviewed a draft letter and agreed to be a signatory. Please note the broad array of signatories on the attached final coalition letter.
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman provided a response which is also attached to this email. I will keep you apprised of additional responses and any possible activity that may lead to the calling of a special session.
Please feel free to share these letters and to urge Governor Walz and your Representatives in both Houses who also received the coalition letter to agree to a special session. The letter provides sound rationale for our request.
Coalition Letter
Rep. Hortman Response
Deb Henton
8/18/22
In recent meetings I have shared that MASA was approached to join a coalition of organizations requesting Governor Walz call a special session of the legislature. The MASA Executive Officers and I reviewed a draft letter and agreed to be a signatory. Please note the broad array of signatories on the attached final coalition letter.
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman provided a response which is also attached to this email. I will keep you apprised of additional responses and any possible activity that may lead to the calling of a special session.
Please feel free to share these letters and to urge Governor Walz and your Representatives in both Houses who also received the coalition letter to agree to a special session. The letter provides sound rationale for our request.
Coalition Letter
Rep. Hortman Response
➤ Action requested: New Action Alert for Special Session
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
6/3/22
Happy Friday!
Legislative leaders and the Governor are meeting this morning to discuss the possibility of a special session to complete their unfinished business, including funding our public schools.
If you have yet to reach out to your legislators about the need for an education funding bill, which includes significant investments in the special education cross subsidy, it’s not too late. Please send a message to your elected officials today.
Click here to be directed to our advocacy system to easily and quickly send a message to your legislators.
Thank you for your advocacy. Have a wonderful weekend!
Valerie & Deb
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
6/3/22
Happy Friday!
Legislative leaders and the Governor are meeting this morning to discuss the possibility of a special session to complete their unfinished business, including funding our public schools.
If you have yet to reach out to your legislators about the need for an education funding bill, which includes significant investments in the special education cross subsidy, it’s not too late. Please send a message to your elected officials today.
Click here to be directed to our advocacy system to easily and quickly send a message to your legislators.
Thank you for your advocacy. Have a wonderful weekend!
Valerie & Deb
➤ Action Alert seeking a Special Legislative Session
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
5/23/22
As you know, the Legislature and the Governor failed to complete its work and pass an E12 supplemental budget bill.
We need you to contact your legislators and the Governor and urge them to finish their work and pass an E12 supplemental budget bill.
Click here to be directed to our advocacy system. There you will enter your contact information and your school district. A crafted message will populate to send to each member in your legislative area. You can send the message as is or you can add district-specific before hitting send.
Please also send a message to the Governor. We cannot use this system because of a required email form so you will have to send a message separately using this email form. Below is a copy of the message to send.
Thank you for reaching out -- it is an important step in building relationships and influencing the legislative process.
* Some senators require an electronic email form, so we cannot use this system. If you do not see them listed, that is why. You will have to send a message separately using the email form on their website. Below is a copy of the message to send if you do not see your senator listed on the advocacy page.
**The advocacy system is not set up so that charter schools or cooperatives can enter their specific district or charter school name. If you would like to send a message to your area delegation, you can use the message below and send it directly from your email. You could also enter each member's school district name and send a message that way. Thanks for your patience as we work through this new advocacy system. I intend to have this issue addressed over the interim.
Message to Governor or those Senators with no public email address (required email form)
Although we understand the differing opinions about whether to hold a special session, we encourage you to do so to finish the work you started. Most importantly, we urge you to finish the work on a supplemental E12 education budget bill.
The $820 million special education shortfall impacts every school district in Minnesota and has long created budget challenges for school districts. This underfunding means our school district must redirect funds meant for general classroom instruction – known as the cross-subsidy – or ask voters to approve operating referendums to cover the shortfall.
Now is the time to solve these challenges and we ask you to join us to call on legislative leaders to address these issues in a special session.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
5/23/22
As you know, the Legislature and the Governor failed to complete its work and pass an E12 supplemental budget bill.
We need you to contact your legislators and the Governor and urge them to finish their work and pass an E12 supplemental budget bill.
Click here to be directed to our advocacy system. There you will enter your contact information and your school district. A crafted message will populate to send to each member in your legislative area. You can send the message as is or you can add district-specific before hitting send.
Please also send a message to the Governor. We cannot use this system because of a required email form so you will have to send a message separately using this email form. Below is a copy of the message to send.
Thank you for reaching out -- it is an important step in building relationships and influencing the legislative process.
* Some senators require an electronic email form, so we cannot use this system. If you do not see them listed, that is why. You will have to send a message separately using the email form on their website. Below is a copy of the message to send if you do not see your senator listed on the advocacy page.
**The advocacy system is not set up so that charter schools or cooperatives can enter their specific district or charter school name. If you would like to send a message to your area delegation, you can use the message below and send it directly from your email. You could also enter each member's school district name and send a message that way. Thanks for your patience as we work through this new advocacy system. I intend to have this issue addressed over the interim.
Message to Governor or those Senators with no public email address (required email form)
Although we understand the differing opinions about whether to hold a special session, we encourage you to do so to finish the work you started. Most importantly, we urge you to finish the work on a supplemental E12 education budget bill.
The $820 million special education shortfall impacts every school district in Minnesota and has long created budget challenges for school districts. This underfunding means our school district must redirect funds meant for general classroom instruction – known as the cross-subsidy – or ask voters to approve operating referendums to cover the shortfall.
Now is the time to solve these challenges and we ask you to join us to call on legislative leaders to address these issues in a special session.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
5/23/22
Despite reaching a global budget agreement, the Legislature failed to end the session with the passage of most supplemental budget bills, a bonding bill, or a tax bill.
The Tax Conference Committee reached an agreement on the tax bill that includes a combination of income tax cuts, social security tax cuts, credits for working families, and property tax relief. Despite reaching an agreement, the House and Senate failed to take up the bill by the midnight deadline.
Because the E12 conference committee failed to reach agreement over weekend, the leaders took over negotiations. They exchanged offers Saturday and Sunday, but they also failed to reach agreement. The last public offer from the Senate included $52 million for LETRS, $911 million for the special education cross-subsidy, $15 million for level IV mental health grants, and $25 million for early learning scholarships.
The tax agreement included equalization of the first tier of a district’s local optional levy, new cooperative facilities lease levy, an increase in the school building bond credit from 70 percent to 85 percent, and an increase in the phase-out for the K-12 income tax credit to begin at $70,000.
As the leaders continued to negotiate the details of the budget bills, there was a lot of talk about a possible special session so the Legislature could finish its work. The House majority wants one, and the Governor indicated he would now call them back if they reach agreement on the outstanding budget bills, but the Senate majority does not seem very open. More to follow on that!
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
5/23/22
Despite reaching a global budget agreement, the Legislature failed to end the session with the passage of most supplemental budget bills, a bonding bill, or a tax bill.
The Tax Conference Committee reached an agreement on the tax bill that includes a combination of income tax cuts, social security tax cuts, credits for working families, and property tax relief. Despite reaching an agreement, the House and Senate failed to take up the bill by the midnight deadline.
Because the E12 conference committee failed to reach agreement over weekend, the leaders took over negotiations. They exchanged offers Saturday and Sunday, but they also failed to reach agreement. The last public offer from the Senate included $52 million for LETRS, $911 million for the special education cross-subsidy, $15 million for level IV mental health grants, and $25 million for early learning scholarships.
The tax agreement included equalization of the first tier of a district’s local optional levy, new cooperative facilities lease levy, an increase in the school building bond credit from 70 percent to 85 percent, and an increase in the phase-out for the K-12 income tax credit to begin at $70,000.
As the leaders continued to negotiate the details of the budget bills, there was a lot of talk about a possible special session so the Legislature could finish its work. The House majority wants one, and the Governor indicated he would now call them back if they reach agreement on the outstanding budget bills, but the Senate majority does not seem very open. More to follow on that!
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/16/22
On Monday, May 16, the Governor, and legislative leaders announced they reached an overall budget agreement. The agreement included:
$4 billion in spending ($1.6 billion in FY23 and $2.4 billion in FY24-25)
The agreement allowed the conference committees to get to work on the details of their respective budget and policy areas.
E12 conference committee meets but no progress yet on a final agreement
The E12 conference committee met several times this week but has yet to make progress on reaching a final budget agreement. The most recent Senate offer focuses funding on the special education cross-subsidy and LETRS. The most recent House offer focuses on the special education and EL cross-subsidies, mental health/student support personnel, teacher of color grants, school meals, and making the VPK slots permanent.
With just three days left, time is running out and at some point, the legislative leaders and the Governor may make the final decision on the components of the supplemental E12 bill.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation proposing new requirements for technology vendors and school districts is one step closer to becoming law. This week, the House agreed to language adopted in the Senate. The bill is now headed to Governor Walz for his signature.
Pensions update – policy bill passes, funding bill advances
This week, the House passed the Omnibus Pensions Policy bill. Two provisions of interest include temporarily permitting (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation and clarifications on reporting 503B information to the Pension Commission. The bill still has some more steps before heading to the Governor for his signature.
This week the Pension Commission passed a benefits and funding bill affecting all public pension funds. The bill proposes the following changes related to TRA and PERA General:
The funding bill still needs to advance in the House and Senate, which will have to happen very quickly in the remaining days of the session.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/16/22
On Monday, May 16, the Governor, and legislative leaders announced they reached an overall budget agreement. The agreement included:
$4 billion in spending ($1.6 billion in FY23 and $2.4 billion in FY24-25)
- $1 billion For E-12 education ($320 million in FY23 and $680 million in FY24-25)
- $1 billion for Health and Human Services (biennial breakdown not available)
- $450 million for Public Safety (biennial breakdown not available)
- $1.3 billion for other budget areas
- $1.4 billion for bonding (GO bonds) and $150 million (cash)
The agreement allowed the conference committees to get to work on the details of their respective budget and policy areas.
E12 conference committee meets but no progress yet on a final agreement
The E12 conference committee met several times this week but has yet to make progress on reaching a final budget agreement. The most recent Senate offer focuses funding on the special education cross-subsidy and LETRS. The most recent House offer focuses on the special education and EL cross-subsidies, mental health/student support personnel, teacher of color grants, school meals, and making the VPK slots permanent.
With just three days left, time is running out and at some point, the legislative leaders and the Governor may make the final decision on the components of the supplemental E12 bill.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation proposing new requirements for technology vendors and school districts is one step closer to becoming law. This week, the House agreed to language adopted in the Senate. The bill is now headed to Governor Walz for his signature.
Pensions update – policy bill passes, funding bill advances
This week, the House passed the Omnibus Pensions Policy bill. Two provisions of interest include temporarily permitting (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation and clarifications on reporting 503B information to the Pension Commission. The bill still has some more steps before heading to the Governor for his signature.
This week the Pension Commission passed a benefits and funding bill affecting all public pension funds. The bill proposes the following changes related to TRA and PERA General:
- decreases the employee contribution rate for TRA from 7.5% to 7.25% and for PERA General to 6.25%
- increases the employer contribution rate for TRA to offset the employee reduction
- increases the pension adjustment to offset the employer contribution increase for TRA and includes a general fund appropriation to pay for PERA General increase
- increases the TRA COLA from 1% to 1.5% effective January 1, 2023, rather than phasing it to 1.5% over five years (as under current law); makes no changes to the PERA General COLA (COLAs in these plans are tied to the COLA adjustment announced each year by the Social Security Administration)
- pays for the COLA adjustment with a general fund appropriation
- reduces the actuarial assumption for investment rate of return from 7.5% to 7% for all plans
The funding bill still needs to advance in the House and Senate, which will have to happen very quickly in the remaining days of the session.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/9/22
With one week left in the 2022 legislative session, there is much unfinished business before the May 23 constitutional adjournment date. There is still a significant portion of the $9.25 billion budget surplus unspent, and leaders in each body are at odds with what to spend it on. Big-ticket items up for debate include education funding, public safety, long-term/disability care, and tax relief.
This past week the House and Senate have moved through mostly smaller and noncontroversial bills while conference committees have been trying to work out differences between the omnibus bills passed by each chamber. If conference committees agree to a final version of their omnibus bill, those bills will be sent back to each floor for passage and then on to Governor Walz for signature.
Education conference committee meets, little progress made
The Education Conference Committee members met all week but only accomplished a review each respective body's bills and listening to some public testimony. The conference committee is far from reaching a final agreement. Until the legislative leaders and the Governor come to a global budget agreement, the conference committee will not accomplish much.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation proposing new requirements for technology vendors and school districts is one step closer to becoming law. This week, the Senate added this language to a small educational data bill (HF2353) that had already passed the House. The House still must agree to the Senate changes which we expect to happen next week.
The language adopted yesterday by the Senate reflects the changes we sought that would have allowed parents to opt out of any technology. The opt-out provision is no longer in the bill. Thanks for your advocacy on this issue. It made a difference!
Pension update
This week, the Senate passed the Omnibus Pensions bill. Two provisions of interest include temporarily permitting (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation and clarifications on reporting 503B information to the Pension Commission. The House will take up this bill on Monday.
Next week, the Pension Commission is expected to advance a benefits and funding bill affecting all major public pension funds. I will include a summary in next week's update after the Pension Commission acts on the legislation.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/9/22
With one week left in the 2022 legislative session, there is much unfinished business before the May 23 constitutional adjournment date. There is still a significant portion of the $9.25 billion budget surplus unspent, and leaders in each body are at odds with what to spend it on. Big-ticket items up for debate include education funding, public safety, long-term/disability care, and tax relief.
This past week the House and Senate have moved through mostly smaller and noncontroversial bills while conference committees have been trying to work out differences between the omnibus bills passed by each chamber. If conference committees agree to a final version of their omnibus bill, those bills will be sent back to each floor for passage and then on to Governor Walz for signature.
Education conference committee meets, little progress made
The Education Conference Committee members met all week but only accomplished a review each respective body's bills and listening to some public testimony. The conference committee is far from reaching a final agreement. Until the legislative leaders and the Governor come to a global budget agreement, the conference committee will not accomplish much.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation proposing new requirements for technology vendors and school districts is one step closer to becoming law. This week, the Senate added this language to a small educational data bill (HF2353) that had already passed the House. The House still must agree to the Senate changes which we expect to happen next week.
The language adopted yesterday by the Senate reflects the changes we sought that would have allowed parents to opt out of any technology. The opt-out provision is no longer in the bill. Thanks for your advocacy on this issue. It made a difference!
Pension update
This week, the Senate passed the Omnibus Pensions bill. Two provisions of interest include temporarily permitting (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation and clarifications on reporting 503B information to the Pension Commission. The House will take up this bill on Monday.
Next week, the Pension Commission is expected to advance a benefits and funding bill affecting all major public pension funds. I will include a summary in next week's update after the Pension Commission acts on the legislation.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/2/22
Education supplemental budget bill passes Senate, conference committee members named
Now that the Senate passed its supplemental education finance bill, the next steps in the conference committee process can begin. The first step is for the House and Senate to appoint a conference committee made up of five members. The E12 conference committee members were named Thursday:
House conferees: Rep. Jim Davnie, Rep. Julie Sandstede, Rep. Ruth Richardson, Rep. Hoda Hassan, Rep. Sondra Erickson
Senate conferees: Sen. Roger Chamberlain, Sen. Justin Eichorn, Sen. Julia Coleman, Sen. Zach Duckworth, Sen. Chuck Wiger
The conference committee will begin to meet next week. However, until legislative leaders and the Governor come to a global budget agreement, the conference committee cannot get much accomplished.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation was heard in the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee this week that proposes new requirements on technology vendors and school districts to ensure student data privacy and security.
Throughout the session we have worked to address concerns on several key provisions. One provision would allow parents to opt-out of technology, whether for school operations or to deliver instruction. I’m happy to say this provision was removed from the bill Thursday!
The bill still has a few steps to go in the legislative process before becoming law, including votes in the House and Senate.
Unemployment benefits for hourly school employees
Last week, I reported that the House included an expansion of unemployment benefits for hourly school employees as part of negotiations on the UI trust fund bill. Their proposal to extend these benefits was not agreed to in that final bill. The provision was removed from the final bill.
The House continues to pursue avenues to advance this proposal. On Thursday, the House added an amendment to their Supplemental Jobs Appropriations bill. The amendment proposes to allow hourly school employees to receive unemployment and provided
$161 million in one-time funds to cover this additional cost. Once this funding is depleted, school districts would have to use the unemployment levy to cover these costs.
We have been in conversations with legislators about concerns with this proposal. The discussion focuses on four main points:
The House and Senate will be negotiating an agreement in the jobs conference committee in the coming weeks, and we will continue to raise these concerns and questions.
Press conference on funding the special education cross-subsidy
Education organizations across the state will be hosting a press conference on Monday, May 9 to urge the legislature and the governor to fund the special education cross-subsidy.
How to participate
Attend The Event at The State Capitol: Press conference spectators may view the press event from L’Etoile du Nord Vault in the basement of the State Capitol. See attached document for more details.
If you attend in person, it would be a good time to meet with your local legislators to discuss this topic before or after the event. If you plan to do so, you should contact their offices this week to schedule an appointment for that day.
Participate Virtually: The presentation will coincide with the mobilization of school districts, parents, and families to simultaneously communicate the message virtually about the need for more funding.
Frontline worker pay bill signed into law
On Monday, Governor Walz signed the frontline worker pay bill into law. This legislation includes schools as one of the defined employment sectors. It does not list out specific employees but instead states an individual is eligible if the individual was employed in one of those sectors and:
The state has created a frontline worker pay website where you will find more information and sign up to receive updates.
MASBO budget survey results
Recently, MASBO surveyed members to understand the current state of school district budgets for the 2022-2023 school year. Of the 105 school districts responding to the survey, 61 reported deficit spending for the 2022-23 school year, despite pandemic relief funding. Further, 91 reported that, excluding pandemic relief funds, they project deficit spending in the 2022-23 school year.
61 respondents reported that including pandemic relief funds project deficit spending in the 2022-2023 school year.
91 respondents also reported that, excluding pandemic relief funds, they would be deficit spending in the 2022-2023 school year.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 5/2/22
Education supplemental budget bill passes Senate, conference committee members named
Now that the Senate passed its supplemental education finance bill, the next steps in the conference committee process can begin. The first step is for the House and Senate to appoint a conference committee made up of five members. The E12 conference committee members were named Thursday:
House conferees: Rep. Jim Davnie, Rep. Julie Sandstede, Rep. Ruth Richardson, Rep. Hoda Hassan, Rep. Sondra Erickson
Senate conferees: Sen. Roger Chamberlain, Sen. Justin Eichorn, Sen. Julia Coleman, Sen. Zach Duckworth, Sen. Chuck Wiger
The conference committee will begin to meet next week. However, until legislative leaders and the Governor come to a global budget agreement, the conference committee cannot get much accomplished.
Student data privacy bill advances
Legislation was heard in the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee this week that proposes new requirements on technology vendors and school districts to ensure student data privacy and security.
Throughout the session we have worked to address concerns on several key provisions. One provision would allow parents to opt-out of technology, whether for school operations or to deliver instruction. I’m happy to say this provision was removed from the bill Thursday!
The bill still has a few steps to go in the legislative process before becoming law, including votes in the House and Senate.
Unemployment benefits for hourly school employees
Last week, I reported that the House included an expansion of unemployment benefits for hourly school employees as part of negotiations on the UI trust fund bill. Their proposal to extend these benefits was not agreed to in that final bill. The provision was removed from the final bill.
The House continues to pursue avenues to advance this proposal. On Thursday, the House added an amendment to their Supplemental Jobs Appropriations bill. The amendment proposes to allow hourly school employees to receive unemployment and provided
$161 million in one-time funds to cover this additional cost. Once this funding is depleted, school districts would have to use the unemployment levy to cover these costs.
We have been in conversations with legislators about concerns with this proposal. The discussion focuses on four main points:
- The cost to school districts and the long-term impact on property taxes.
- How does this proposal help or exacerbate the staff shortage school districts are experiencing?
- What happens if an hourly school employee is offered a summer position that is not in line with their current position regarding type of work, wages, and hours?
- How do school districts navigate perceptions in their communities that school district resources are used to pay for people to not work?
The House and Senate will be negotiating an agreement in the jobs conference committee in the coming weeks, and we will continue to raise these concerns and questions.
Press conference on funding the special education cross-subsidy
Education organizations across the state will be hosting a press conference on Monday, May 9 to urge the legislature and the governor to fund the special education cross-subsidy.
How to participate
Attend The Event at The State Capitol: Press conference spectators may view the press event from L’Etoile du Nord Vault in the basement of the State Capitol. See attached document for more details.
If you attend in person, it would be a good time to meet with your local legislators to discuss this topic before or after the event. If you plan to do so, you should contact their offices this week to schedule an appointment for that day.
Participate Virtually: The presentation will coincide with the mobilization of school districts, parents, and families to simultaneously communicate the message virtually about the need for more funding.
- You can watch the press conference virtually here (this link will not be live until the press conference).
- Look for an advocacy alert Monday morning for you to easily contact legislators urging them to eliminate the cross-subsidy.
Frontline worker pay bill signed into law
On Monday, Governor Walz signed the frontline worker pay bill into law. This legislation includes schools as one of the defined employment sectors. It does not list out specific employees but instead states an individual is eligible if the individual was employed in one of those sectors and:
- Was employed for at least 120 hours in Minnesota in one or more frontline sectors between March 15, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
- Was not able to telework due to the nature of the individual's work and worked in close proximity to individuals outside of the individual's household.
- Did not receive an unemployment insurance benefit for more than 20 cumulative weeks from March 15, 20202-June 26, 2021.
- Had an annual income that did not exceed $185,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return and $85,000 for all other filers.
The state has created a frontline worker pay website where you will find more information and sign up to receive updates.
MASBO budget survey results
Recently, MASBO surveyed members to understand the current state of school district budgets for the 2022-2023 school year. Of the 105 school districts responding to the survey, 61 reported deficit spending for the 2022-23 school year, despite pandemic relief funding. Further, 91 reported that, excluding pandemic relief funds, they project deficit spending in the 2022-23 school year.
61 respondents reported that including pandemic relief funds project deficit spending in the 2022-2023 school year.
- 3 of 60 indicated a shortfall of $4m or greater
- 16 of 60 indicated a shortfall between $1m-$3.9m
- 13 of 60 indicated a shortfall between $500k-999k
- 25 of 60 indicated a shortfall of less than $499k
- 4 respondents indicated a shortfall but did not indicate a specific amount
91 respondents also reported that, excluding pandemic relief funds, they would be deficit spending in the 2022-2023 school year.
- 7 of 88 indicated a shortfall of $4m or greater
- 34 of 88 indicated a shortfall between $1m-$3.9m
- 15 of 88 indicated a shortfall between $500k-999k
- 28 of 88 indicated a shortfall less than $499k
- 7 respondents indicated a shortfall but did not indicate a specific amount
➤ Information: Special Education Cross-Subsidy Press Conference (May 4, 2022)
Education organizations across the state are joining in advocating for the legislature to address the special education cross-subsidy. There will be a press conference on Monday, May 9.
PRESS CONFERENCE/DAY OF ADVOCACY
WHO: Minnesota’s leading education organizations
WHAT: Press conference and Day of Advocacy
WHERE: Minnesota Capitol and Virtually
WHEN: 1 p.m. on Monday, May 9
WHY: Address the growing special education cross-subsidy and the Legislature’s responsibility to fund the shortfall
SPEAKERS: Albert Lea Superintendent Mike Funk, St. Paul Superintendent Joe Gothard, Cathy Nathan, Rochester School Board member and Minnesota PTA member
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
ATTEND THE EVENT AT THE STATE CAPITOL. Press conference spectators may view the press event from L’Etoile du Nord Vault in the basement of the State Capitol. See attached document for more details.
If you attend in-person, it would be a good time to meet with your local legislators to discuss this topic before or after the event. If you plan to do so, you should contact their offices this week to schedule an appointment for that day.
PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY. The presentation will coincide with the mobilization of school districts, parents, and families to simultaneously communicate the message virtually for the need for more funding.
· You can watch the press conference virtually here (this link will not be live until the press conference)
· MASA will send out an advocacy alert Monday morning for you to easily contact legislators urging them to eliminate the cross-subsidy.
Education organizations across the state are joining in advocating for the legislature to address the special education cross-subsidy. There will be a press conference on Monday, May 9.
PRESS CONFERENCE/DAY OF ADVOCACY
WHO: Minnesota’s leading education organizations
WHAT: Press conference and Day of Advocacy
WHERE: Minnesota Capitol and Virtually
WHEN: 1 p.m. on Monday, May 9
WHY: Address the growing special education cross-subsidy and the Legislature’s responsibility to fund the shortfall
SPEAKERS: Albert Lea Superintendent Mike Funk, St. Paul Superintendent Joe Gothard, Cathy Nathan, Rochester School Board member and Minnesota PTA member
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
ATTEND THE EVENT AT THE STATE CAPITOL. Press conference spectators may view the press event from L’Etoile du Nord Vault in the basement of the State Capitol. See attached document for more details.
If you attend in-person, it would be a good time to meet with your local legislators to discuss this topic before or after the event. If you plan to do so, you should contact their offices this week to schedule an appointment for that day.
PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY. The presentation will coincide with the mobilization of school districts, parents, and families to simultaneously communicate the message virtually for the need for more funding.
· You can watch the press conference virtually here (this link will not be live until the press conference)
· MASA will send out an advocacy alert Monday morning for you to easily contact legislators urging them to eliminate the cross-subsidy.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/25/22
Education supplemental budget bill passes House
After six hours of debate on Wednesday, the House passed HF4300, their supplemental education finance bill 69-61. The Senate is expected to vote on their supplemental funding bill on Monday, May 2.
Once the budget bills pass out of their respective bodies, a conference committee composed of five members from each body will be appointed. The purpose of the conference committee is to resolve differences and agree on one bill to send to the governor. In recent years, the conference committee process was more a concept than a reality as legislative leaders were the ones to come to agreement privately. Hopefully, the process will be more public and transparent and involve the conference committee this year.
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund/COVID Frontline Worker Pay
In February, the Senate passed legislation proposing to repay the federal government and replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund to pre-COVID levels. The House and Senate tried to find agreement but because of a disagreement on whether to replenish the fund under the condition of expanded COVID frontline worker pay, reaching agreement took some time.
On Thursday, the House and Senate finally came to a compromise. The agreement fully funds the trust fund and provides $500 million in expanded COVID frontline worker pay. The list of employees eligible for frontline worker pay include health care workers, law enforcement, school employees, child care, and retail employees who had to work in-person during the pandemic. The details on how these additional payments will be distributed will be available in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week, the House included expansion of unemployment benefits to hourly school employees as part of negotiations on the UI trust fund bill. The House proposed $161 million in one-time funding to cover these costs. School districts would have had to rely on the unemployment levy after the state funding was depleted. This provision was dropped by the conference committee, however.
Press conference on funding the special education cross-subsidy
Education organizations will host a press conference at 1:00 on Monday, May 9, to address special education funding shortfalls and the Legislature's responsibility to fund the amount owed. More details on the press conference will be available next week with links that will be sent to you. Additional information will also follow in next week’s update.
After the press conference, we will be sharing an advocacy request for you to contact legislators urging them to eliminate the cross-subsidy. Stay tuned!
Dates to remember
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/25/22
Education supplemental budget bill passes House
After six hours of debate on Wednesday, the House passed HF4300, their supplemental education finance bill 69-61. The Senate is expected to vote on their supplemental funding bill on Monday, May 2.
Once the budget bills pass out of their respective bodies, a conference committee composed of five members from each body will be appointed. The purpose of the conference committee is to resolve differences and agree on one bill to send to the governor. In recent years, the conference committee process was more a concept than a reality as legislative leaders were the ones to come to agreement privately. Hopefully, the process will be more public and transparent and involve the conference committee this year.
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund/COVID Frontline Worker Pay
In February, the Senate passed legislation proposing to repay the federal government and replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund to pre-COVID levels. The House and Senate tried to find agreement but because of a disagreement on whether to replenish the fund under the condition of expanded COVID frontline worker pay, reaching agreement took some time.
On Thursday, the House and Senate finally came to a compromise. The agreement fully funds the trust fund and provides $500 million in expanded COVID frontline worker pay. The list of employees eligible for frontline worker pay include health care workers, law enforcement, school employees, child care, and retail employees who had to work in-person during the pandemic. The details on how these additional payments will be distributed will be available in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week, the House included expansion of unemployment benefits to hourly school employees as part of negotiations on the UI trust fund bill. The House proposed $161 million in one-time funding to cover these costs. School districts would have had to rely on the unemployment levy after the state funding was depleted. This provision was dropped by the conference committee, however.
Press conference on funding the special education cross-subsidy
Education organizations will host a press conference at 1:00 on Monday, May 9, to address special education funding shortfalls and the Legislature's responsibility to fund the amount owed. More details on the press conference will be available next week with links that will be sent to you. Additional information will also follow in next week’s update.
After the press conference, we will be sharing an advocacy request for you to contact legislators urging them to eliminate the cross-subsidy. Stay tuned!
Dates to remember
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
➤ Legislative Action Alert
Deb Henton, MASA Executive Director
4/25/22
Dear MASA members:
Legislation is advancing this session proposing new student data privacy requirements for technology providers and schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
We support the provisions to hold technology vendors accountable to high standards for ensuring privacy and data security. We are concerned about the provisions in the bill that impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classrooms. Specifically, one provision of greatest concern is the opt-out section.
Click here and you will be directed to MASA’s advocacy system. There you will enter your contact information and will next be directed to input your school district information. A crafted message will populate to send to each member in your legislative area.
Thank you for reaching out -- it is important to build relationships and influence the legislative process.
* Some senators require an electronic email form, so we cannot use this system. If you do not see them listed, that is why. You will have to send a message separately using the email form on their website. Below is a copy of the message to send if you do not see your senator listed on the advocacy page.
**The advocacy system is not set up so that charter schools or cooperatives can enter their specific district or charter school name. If you would like to send a message to your area delegation, you can use the message below and send it directly from your email. You could also enter each member school district name and send a message that way. Thanks for your patience as we work through this new advocacy system. My intent is to have this issue addressed over the interim.
Message to send to senators with email form
I am writing to express my concern about legislation that is advancing in the House and Senate - the Student Data Privacy Act. These provisions are included in HF1404, the Omnibus Data Practices bill, and SF2307, a bill that has advanced separately in the Senate. These bills propose new student privacy requirements for technology providers and for schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
School district staff work every day to secure the privacy and data of our students, staff, and families. Although I support the provisions holding technology vendors accountable to high standards for ensuring privacy and data security, some provisions in these bills will impact how we use technology in our schools and classrooms.
Our primary concern is that the language allows parents to opt-out of instructional platforms which could limit opportunities for students. Many districts deliver instruction via a technology device, rather than traditional textbooks, so allowing an opt-out will require teachers to develop and deliver alternative lesson plans and content. This will result in additional staff time and take away from needed instructional time with students.
As stated earlier, we support the provisions holding technology vendors accountable. However, we ask that our concerns be addressed should the bill advance.
Please reach out to deb.henton@mnasa.org if you would like to discuss this further and thank you for your work.
Deb Henton, MASA Executive Director
4/25/22
Dear MASA members:
Legislation is advancing this session proposing new student data privacy requirements for technology providers and schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
We support the provisions to hold technology vendors accountable to high standards for ensuring privacy and data security. We are concerned about the provisions in the bill that impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classrooms. Specifically, one provision of greatest concern is the opt-out section.
Click here and you will be directed to MASA’s advocacy system. There you will enter your contact information and will next be directed to input your school district information. A crafted message will populate to send to each member in your legislative area.
Thank you for reaching out -- it is important to build relationships and influence the legislative process.
* Some senators require an electronic email form, so we cannot use this system. If you do not see them listed, that is why. You will have to send a message separately using the email form on their website. Below is a copy of the message to send if you do not see your senator listed on the advocacy page.
**The advocacy system is not set up so that charter schools or cooperatives can enter their specific district or charter school name. If you would like to send a message to your area delegation, you can use the message below and send it directly from your email. You could also enter each member school district name and send a message that way. Thanks for your patience as we work through this new advocacy system. My intent is to have this issue addressed over the interim.
Message to send to senators with email form
I am writing to express my concern about legislation that is advancing in the House and Senate - the Student Data Privacy Act. These provisions are included in HF1404, the Omnibus Data Practices bill, and SF2307, a bill that has advanced separately in the Senate. These bills propose new student privacy requirements for technology providers and for schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
School district staff work every day to secure the privacy and data of our students, staff, and families. Although I support the provisions holding technology vendors accountable to high standards for ensuring privacy and data security, some provisions in these bills will impact how we use technology in our schools and classrooms.
Our primary concern is that the language allows parents to opt-out of instructional platforms which could limit opportunities for students. Many districts deliver instruction via a technology device, rather than traditional textbooks, so allowing an opt-out will require teachers to develop and deliver alternative lesson plans and content. This will result in additional staff time and take away from needed instructional time with students.
As stated earlier, we support the provisions holding technology vendors accountable. However, we ask that our concerns be addressed should the bill advance.
Please reach out to deb.henton@mnasa.org if you would like to discuss this further and thank you for your work.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/18/22
Supplemental budget bills up for a vote by the full House and Senate next week
After a week-long legislative break, the House and Senate returned Tuesday to begin to move their respective budget bills through the legislative process. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee heard and passed their respective education budget bills. The next stop is a full vote by the House and Senate which is expected next week. The House is expected to take up its tax bill as well.
Once the budget bills pass out of their respective bodies, a conference committee comprised of five members from each body will be appointed. The purpose of the conference committee is to resolve differences and agree on one bill to send to the governor. In the last several years, this conference committee process was more a concept than reality with the legislative leaders reaching a final agreement amongst themselves. Hopefully, the process will be more public and transparent and involve the conference committee this year.
Our advocacy efforts will pick as the legislature negotiates a final budget so look for an advocacy alert soon!
Governor Walz to give State of the State
Governor Walz will give his state of the state address Sunday, April 24. The governor will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 6:00 pm, his first live state of the state in two years. You can watch it live here.
Dates to remember
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/18/22
Supplemental budget bills up for a vote by the full House and Senate next week
After a week-long legislative break, the House and Senate returned Tuesday to begin to move their respective budget bills through the legislative process. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee heard and passed their respective education budget bills. The next stop is a full vote by the House and Senate which is expected next week. The House is expected to take up its tax bill as well.
Once the budget bills pass out of their respective bodies, a conference committee comprised of five members from each body will be appointed. The purpose of the conference committee is to resolve differences and agree on one bill to send to the governor. In the last several years, this conference committee process was more a concept than reality with the legislative leaders reaching a final agreement amongst themselves. Hopefully, the process will be more public and transparent and involve the conference committee this year.
Our advocacy efforts will pick as the legislature negotiates a final budget so look for an advocacy alert soon!
Governor Walz to give State of the State
Governor Walz will give his state of the state address Sunday, April 24. The governor will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 6:00 pm, his first live state of the state in two years. You can watch it live here.
Dates to remember
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/4/22
Budget bills advancing
This week the House and Senate advanced their respective education. The House and Senate could not be further apart regarding investments in public education. Here is a funding overview and summary of key provisions in both bills.
The legislature will be on break from Monday, April 11 through Monday, April 18. This time is an excellent time for you to connect personally with your elected officials so please reach out to them. Our advocacy efforts will pick as the legislature negotiates a final budget so look for an advocacy alert after the break.
Pension funding bill
Last week, I reported on a proposal scheduled to be heard in the Pensions Commission this week that made changes to public pension funds, including TRA. I neglected to mention the proposal makes no changes to PERA.
In addition, the hearing was canceled so no action was taken this week. It's unclear if anything will move forward after the break. Stay tuned!
Dates to remember
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-305
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 4/4/22
Budget bills advancing
This week the House and Senate advanced their respective education. The House and Senate could not be further apart regarding investments in public education. Here is a funding overview and summary of key provisions in both bills.
The legislature will be on break from Monday, April 11 through Monday, April 18. This time is an excellent time for you to connect personally with your elected officials so please reach out to them. Our advocacy efforts will pick as the legislature negotiates a final budget so look for an advocacy alert after the break.
Pension funding bill
Last week, I reported on a proposal scheduled to be heard in the Pensions Commission this week that made changes to public pension funds, including TRA. I neglected to mention the proposal makes no changes to PERA.
In addition, the hearing was canceled so no action was taken this week. It's unclear if anything will move forward after the break. Stay tuned!
Dates to remember
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-305
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/28/22
Second committee deadline passed, focus now shifts to budget bills
April 1 marked the second deadline for committees in the Minnesota legislature to have acted favorably on policy bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body. We expect a flurry of budget activity next week before Friday's third deadline, where committees must act favorably on appropriation bills.
Compromise is possible
This week the Legislature reached agreements on several issues and sent bills to Governor Walz for his signature.
While they have yet to find a compromise on the unemployment trust fund or frontline COVID worker pay, it was nice to see some agreement on other issues.
Senate releases supplemental education budget bill
Friday, the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee released its supplemental budget bill. To describe it is "thin" is an understatement. It is nine-pages long and appropriates $30 million in funding for the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling program and $700,000 for the Regional Centers of Excellence to support the state’s literacy efforts.
House to release supplemental early education and K-12 education budget bills
The House will release its early education and K-12 budget bills Monday, so look for more details in next week’s update.
House Property Tax Division includes education tax proposals
The House Property Tax Division advanced its committee report last week, which includes two education-related provisions. These provisions will eventually be included in the House Omnibus Tax bill.
Here is a joint letter submitted by various education organizations – MASA, MASBO, MSBA, AMSD, MREA, and SEE.
Student data privacy bill
There has been some movement on HF341/SF2307. The House Judiciary Committee advanced an Omnibus Data Practices bill which includes the provisions of HF341. Two provisions are of concern and will impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classroom – a parent opt-out and the school-issued device monitoring provisions.
The Senate Civil Law Committee also advanced a bill this week that is slightly different from the House bill. During the almost three-hour committee discussion, Sen. Ron Latz strongly advocated that the opt-out provision needed to be changed to address concerns. The author, Sen. Karla Bigham, offered an amendment, which was adopted, to not permit an opt-out for school district operations. We continue to have concerns because the language still allows parents to opt-out of technology devices used to deliver instruction. We will continue to express concerns about this language as it moves through the legislative process.
Pension Commission to advance funding bill
Next week, the Pension Commission will advance a benefits and funding bill affecting all major public pension funds. Jay Stoffel, TRA’s executive director, provided the summary below.
Dates to remember
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
Attachments area
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/28/22
Second committee deadline passed, focus now shifts to budget bills
April 1 marked the second deadline for committees in the Minnesota legislature to have acted favorably on policy bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body. We expect a flurry of budget activity next week before Friday's third deadline, where committees must act favorably on appropriation bills.
Compromise is possible
This week the Legislature reached agreements on several issues and sent bills to Governor Walz for his signature.
- $25 million for ALS research and caregiver support
- Extension of reinsurance, along with $700 million in funding, to help head off rate increases for people in the individual health insurance market.
- Russia-Belarus divestment from state investments passes Senate and House unanimously
While they have yet to find a compromise on the unemployment trust fund or frontline COVID worker pay, it was nice to see some agreement on other issues.
Senate releases supplemental education budget bill
Friday, the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee released its supplemental budget bill. To describe it is "thin" is an understatement. It is nine-pages long and appropriates $30 million in funding for the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling program and $700,000 for the Regional Centers of Excellence to support the state’s literacy efforts.
House to release supplemental early education and K-12 education budget bills
The House will release its early education and K-12 budget bills Monday, so look for more details in next week’s update.
House Property Tax Division includes education tax proposals
The House Property Tax Division advanced its committee report last week, which includes two education-related provisions. These provisions will eventually be included in the House Omnibus Tax bill.
- Sets the first-tier local optional revenue equalization factor to 170 percent of the statewide average tax base per pupil
- Increases the school building bond agricultural credit to 85 percent beginning with property taxes payable in 2024
Here is a joint letter submitted by various education organizations – MASA, MASBO, MSBA, AMSD, MREA, and SEE.
Student data privacy bill
There has been some movement on HF341/SF2307. The House Judiciary Committee advanced an Omnibus Data Practices bill which includes the provisions of HF341. Two provisions are of concern and will impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classroom – a parent opt-out and the school-issued device monitoring provisions.
The Senate Civil Law Committee also advanced a bill this week that is slightly different from the House bill. During the almost three-hour committee discussion, Sen. Ron Latz strongly advocated that the opt-out provision needed to be changed to address concerns. The author, Sen. Karla Bigham, offered an amendment, which was adopted, to not permit an opt-out for school district operations. We continue to have concerns because the language still allows parents to opt-out of technology devices used to deliver instruction. We will continue to express concerns about this language as it moves through the legislative process.
Pension Commission to advance funding bill
Next week, the Pension Commission will advance a benefits and funding bill affecting all major public pension funds. Jay Stoffel, TRA’s executive director, provided the summary below.
- The scheduled employee contribution rate increase of 0.25% to take effect on 7/1/2023 is eliminated. In addition, the current rate of 7.5% will decrease to 7.25% effective 7/1/2022 for a total reduction in plan funding of 0.50%.
- The TRA post-retirement adjustment will go from 1.0% to 1.5% permanently, effective 1/1/2023. The current schedule of increasing the postretirement from 1.0% to 1.5% over 5 years, beginning 1/1/2024, is eliminated.
- The TRA investment return assumption is lowered from 7.5% to 7.0%
- Beginning October 1, 2022, and each year thereafter the State will pay TRA $7 million. This covers the cost of accelerating the post-retirement adjustment to 1.5%. The payment continues until the earlier of when the fund reaches full 100% funded status using the actuarial value of assets, or 7/1/2048.
- The pension adjustment revenue in the general education aid formula for all school districts (other than St. Paul) is increased by 0.25% for FY2023 and an additional 0.25% for FY2024 and thereafter.
- The TRA employer contribution rate will increase by 0.25% in FY2023 and by an additional 0.25% in FY2024 and thereafter for a total increase in plan funding of 0.50%. The final employer contribution rate will be 9.25%.
- Appropriates an additional amount of $12,774,000 for general education aid.
Dates to remember
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
April 24: Governor Walz delivers state of the state address
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
Attachments area
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/21/22
This week, committees spent their time focused on getting bills heard before the first committee deadline. If a policy bill did not meet this first deadline, its trajectory slows down considerably after Friday.
The Governor, and House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate an agreement on the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Frontline Worker pay. The House is holding out on replenishing the unemployment insurance fund to gain bargaining power to increase the scope of frontline worker bonuses. The Senate passed a bill to replenish the unemployment insurance fund but have been slow to support additional frontline worker bonuses beyond an initial agreement last year for $250 million. We expect negotiations to continue this week.
Committee hearings – week of 3/21/22
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee heard but took no action on the Student Data Privacy Act. The committee spent the rest of the week on the Omnibus Education Policy Bill. The bill's next stop is the House Education Finance Committee. Linked is a more detailed summary but some highlights include:
The House Education Finance Committee continued to hear bills leading up to the second committee deadline. This week the committee heard a bill establishing a legislative working group to look at compensatory education, one to increase the growth factor for Adult Basic Education, and one to expand mental health grants for school districts with federal setting Level IV programs.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages, a bill requiring civics test reporting requirements, a bill clarifying requirements around PSEO, and a bill modifying the hours of instruction requirements for high school students.
The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement moved forward the Omnibus Pensions bill. Two provisions related to education are included. First is a provision to temporarily permit (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation. Second is a provision to clarify reporting requirements for 403B vendors.
Committee hearings – week of 3/28/22
The number of policy committee hearings will decrease now as the finance committees begin to put together budget bills to meet the Friday, April 8 deadline for budget bills.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled to hear the Governor's literacy proposals but has no other plans for hearings next week.
The House Education Finance Committee will hear bills to place parameters around teacher prep time, establish a healthy and hunger-free schools program, require lead testing in schools, and require collective bargaining agreements to include provisions around due process forms and procedures for teachers.
Dates to remember
April 1: Committees must act favorably on policy bills that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/21/22
This week, committees spent their time focused on getting bills heard before the first committee deadline. If a policy bill did not meet this first deadline, its trajectory slows down considerably after Friday.
The Governor, and House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate an agreement on the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Frontline Worker pay. The House is holding out on replenishing the unemployment insurance fund to gain bargaining power to increase the scope of frontline worker bonuses. The Senate passed a bill to replenish the unemployment insurance fund but have been slow to support additional frontline worker bonuses beyond an initial agreement last year for $250 million. We expect negotiations to continue this week.
Committee hearings – week of 3/21/22
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee heard but took no action on the Student Data Privacy Act. The committee spent the rest of the week on the Omnibus Education Policy Bill. The bill's next stop is the House Education Finance Committee. Linked is a more detailed summary but some highlights include:
- allowing school districts to serve their students through online learning without going through the MDE approval process
- flexibility to provide e-learning during a crisis
- new graduation requirements
- more reporting requirements for World's Best Workforce
- changes to Pupil Fair Dismissal Act and discipline statutes
- changes to teacher probationary status
- additional prep time requirements
The House Education Finance Committee continued to hear bills leading up to the second committee deadline. This week the committee heard a bill establishing a legislative working group to look at compensatory education, one to increase the growth factor for Adult Basic Education, and one to expand mental health grants for school districts with federal setting Level IV programs.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages, a bill requiring civics test reporting requirements, a bill clarifying requirements around PSEO, and a bill modifying the hours of instruction requirements for high school students.
The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement moved forward the Omnibus Pensions bill. Two provisions related to education are included. First is a provision to temporarily permit (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation. Second is a provision to clarify reporting requirements for 403B vendors.
Committee hearings – week of 3/28/22
The number of policy committee hearings will decrease now as the finance committees begin to put together budget bills to meet the Friday, April 8 deadline for budget bills.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled to hear the Governor's literacy proposals but has no other plans for hearings next week.
The House Education Finance Committee will hear bills to place parameters around teacher prep time, establish a healthy and hunger-free schools program, require lead testing in schools, and require collective bargaining agreements to include provisions around due process forms and procedures for teachers.
Dates to remember
April 1: Committees must act favorably on policy bills that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/14/22
There's been a steady uptick of committee meetings this week in preparation for the first committee deadline. This week, the House and Senate held 118 committee hearings, up from 108 the week before and 93 two weeks ago. The first deadline (March 25) is when committees must act favorably on bills in their house of origin so many bills may not be moving forward if they do not advance this week.
Unemployment Trust Fund Deadline Passes
In February, the Senate passed SF2677, the legislation proposing to repay the federal government and replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund. The bill would appropriate $2.7 billion to refill the fund, which was depleted from the high volume of unemployment claims during the pandemic. The deadline to replenish the fund before businesses see an increase in unemployment-related payroll taxes was Tuesday, March 15. However, the House and Senate were not able to agree on the bill because the House was only willing to replenish the fund under the condition that their bill for frontline worker pay also passes. The Senate has yet to pass legislation for expanded COVID worker pay, so they did not reach an agreement.
More retirements
While the dust is starting to settle with redistricting, retirements keep coming. This week, the Iron Range's longtime DFLer, now Independent, Senator Tom Bakk, announced he will not seek another term. In the House, Representative Tony Albright, from the Prior Lake area, announced he is stepping down after 12 years.
Committee hearings – week of 3/14/22
The House Education Policy Committee had a full slate as they heard the last of the bills before the first committee deadline. The committee heard bills to place parameters around teacher prep time, clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages, establish a healthy and hunger-free schools program, index EL revenue to the per-pupil formula, prohibit the dismissal of students in grades k-3, prohibit the exclusion of recess for student discipline, and a bill to clarify PSEO requirements. The committee also heard a bill to add a personal finance course as a graduation requirement. Rep. Urdahl successfully added an amendment, once again, to require civics as an additional graduation requirement.
The House Education Finance Committee also had a full slate this week. The committee heard bills to increase funding for the statewide teacher concurrent enrollment training program, fund student support personnel, provide student mental health supports, and address the high cost of special education. Lastly, the committee heard the Governor’s education budget bill.
The House Property Tax Division heard the bill proposing changes to LTFMR revenue, local optional revenue, reduces school district property taxes, and a bill to increase the school building bond agricultural credit amount.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard the bill provide vouchers to students who qualify for special education and a bill to establish a special education tuition billing working group. The committee also heard a bill addressing nonpublic pupil transportation and lead testing in schools.
The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement heard a bill to temporarily permit (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation.
Committee hearings – week of 3/21/22
The House Education Policy Committee is hearing one bill next week, the Student Data Privacy Act, before moving forward on its Omnibus Education Policy bill Wednesday.
The House Education Finance Committee continues to hear bills leading up to the second committee deadline. This week the committee will hear a bill establishing a legislative working group to look at compensatory education, one to increase the growth factor for Adult Basic Education, and one to expand mental health grants for school districts with federal setting Level IV programs.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill to clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages and a bill requiring civics test reporting requirements.
Bills of interest
H. F. 4233, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring due process forms and procedures time for teachers.
H. F. 4234, A bill for an act relating to education finance; authorizing a school district's American Indian education aid to carry over from one school year to the next under certain circumstances.
H. F. 4236, A bill for an act relating to education finance; appropriating money for supplemental aid for school facility construction.
H. F. 4300, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing for supplemental funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 education; modifying provisions for general education, education excellence, teachers, special education, facilities, nutrition and libraries, early childhood, community education, and state agencies; requiring reports; appropriating money. This is the Governor’s E12 Education Finance bill.
S.F. No. 4068: A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing career and technical revenue; appropriating money.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/14/22
There's been a steady uptick of committee meetings this week in preparation for the first committee deadline. This week, the House and Senate held 118 committee hearings, up from 108 the week before and 93 two weeks ago. The first deadline (March 25) is when committees must act favorably on bills in their house of origin so many bills may not be moving forward if they do not advance this week.
Unemployment Trust Fund Deadline Passes
In February, the Senate passed SF2677, the legislation proposing to repay the federal government and replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund. The bill would appropriate $2.7 billion to refill the fund, which was depleted from the high volume of unemployment claims during the pandemic. The deadline to replenish the fund before businesses see an increase in unemployment-related payroll taxes was Tuesday, March 15. However, the House and Senate were not able to agree on the bill because the House was only willing to replenish the fund under the condition that their bill for frontline worker pay also passes. The Senate has yet to pass legislation for expanded COVID worker pay, so they did not reach an agreement.
More retirements
While the dust is starting to settle with redistricting, retirements keep coming. This week, the Iron Range's longtime DFLer, now Independent, Senator Tom Bakk, announced he will not seek another term. In the House, Representative Tony Albright, from the Prior Lake area, announced he is stepping down after 12 years.
Committee hearings – week of 3/14/22
The House Education Policy Committee had a full slate as they heard the last of the bills before the first committee deadline. The committee heard bills to place parameters around teacher prep time, clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages, establish a healthy and hunger-free schools program, index EL revenue to the per-pupil formula, prohibit the dismissal of students in grades k-3, prohibit the exclusion of recess for student discipline, and a bill to clarify PSEO requirements. The committee also heard a bill to add a personal finance course as a graduation requirement. Rep. Urdahl successfully added an amendment, once again, to require civics as an additional graduation requirement.
The House Education Finance Committee also had a full slate this week. The committee heard bills to increase funding for the statewide teacher concurrent enrollment training program, fund student support personnel, provide student mental health supports, and address the high cost of special education. Lastly, the committee heard the Governor’s education budget bill.
The House Property Tax Division heard the bill proposing changes to LTFMR revenue, local optional revenue, reduces school district property taxes, and a bill to increase the school building bond agricultural credit amount.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard the bill provide vouchers to students who qualify for special education and a bill to establish a special education tuition billing working group. The committee also heard a bill addressing nonpublic pupil transportation and lead testing in schools.
The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement heard a bill to temporarily permit (through 2024) retired teachers who resume teaching to teach without application of an earnings limitation.
Committee hearings – week of 3/21/22
The House Education Policy Committee is hearing one bill next week, the Student Data Privacy Act, before moving forward on its Omnibus Education Policy bill Wednesday.
The House Education Finance Committee continues to hear bills leading up to the second committee deadline. This week the committee will hear a bill establishing a legislative working group to look at compensatory education, one to increase the growth factor for Adult Basic Education, and one to expand mental health grants for school districts with federal setting Level IV programs.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill to clarify how PESLB determines teacher shortages and a bill requiring civics test reporting requirements.
Bills of interest
H. F. 4233, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring due process forms and procedures time for teachers.
H. F. 4234, A bill for an act relating to education finance; authorizing a school district's American Indian education aid to carry over from one school year to the next under certain circumstances.
H. F. 4236, A bill for an act relating to education finance; appropriating money for supplemental aid for school facility construction.
H. F. 4300, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing for supplemental funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 education; modifying provisions for general education, education excellence, teachers, special education, facilities, nutrition and libraries, early childhood, community education, and state agencies; requiring reports; appropriating money. This is the Governor’s E12 Education Finance bill.
S.F. No. 4068: A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing career and technical revenue; appropriating money.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the legislative session. You can reach me at valeried@ewald.com or 612-490-3052.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/7/22
This week the legislature focused on updated budget news and ongoing committee work as legislators race to get their bills heard before the first committee deadline (March 25). This week the House and Senate held 88 committee hearings and introduced 560 bills.
February budget forecast shows a growing budget surplus
On Monday, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) unveiled the February 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast. The surplus increased from $7.7 billion to $9.25 billion, an increase of $1.15 billion. This surplus is due to higher-than-expected income, corporate, and sales taxes, and reduced spending for E-12 (due to declining enrollment) and human services.
MMB cautioned legislators to approach this projection with caution, as shifts in the U.S. economy and the war in Ukraine could still impact the general fund in the future. In addition, much of the $1.15 billion projected in the February forecast is one-time money.
Senate advances “Parents Bill of Rights” proposals
The Senate passed key bills as their "Parents Bill of Rights" proposals. SF2575, sponsored by Sen. Paul Gazelka, passed on a vote of 36-30 during the Thursday floor session. The bill requires schools to notify parents they can review instructional materials and can choose reasonable accommodation for alternative instruction if a parent objects to instructional materials. SF2729, sponsored by Sen. Roger Chamberlain, also passed Thursday. This bill stipulates parents do not need to reveal their home addresses at school board meetings, but school boards can ask for the city where parents reside.
Senate advances short-call substitute bill
The Senate Finance Committee passed SF2861, legislation to speed up the licensure process for short-call substitute teachers. This bill requires PELSB to issue a short-call substitute teaching license to an applicant who holds at least an associate degree or equivalent, is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparatory program, and das been employed as an education support personnel or paraprofessional within the school district or charter schools for at least one school year. Next stop is a vote in the full Senate.
The House has not advanced the companion bill however as they are focused on an alternative bill, which has yet to be heard in the Senate.
House hears bill to tie the per-pupil formula to inflation
The House Education Finance Committee heard HF 2949, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Feist, which proposes to link the general education basic formula allowance to inflation. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus budget bill.
More redistricting changes
The dust continues to settle as legislators ponder their re-election prospects and decide whether to retire or run for other offices. Here is the updated list of retirements as of Thursday, March 3, though we expect more to come in the following weeks.
House Retirements
Senate Retirements
House members running for the Senate
House members running for other positions:
Senators running for other positions:
Senate members running for the House
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee heard the MDE policy bill. On Wednesday, the committee heard a bill to require schools to employ at least one full-time equivalent licensed school counselor in each building. The bill also outlines the specific duties a school counselor can perform. The committee also heard a bill to require mental health screening and substance abuse prevention education.
The House Education Finance Committee heard a bill to tie the general education formula to inflation, which would help stabilize education funding. The committee also heard legislation to place special education aid payments on the same 90/10 schedule as most other major school district aid payments.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to increase safe schools revenue and legislation to direct up to 2 percent of ECFE revenue for two full-time staff at MDE to provide support and guidance for early childhood family education programs.
The House Early Childhood Finance and Policy heard legislation to expand the age range of children served by school-age care programs and to increase funding for school-age care programs. The committee also heard a bill proposing to direct up to 2 percent of ECFE revenue for two full-time staff at MDE to provide support and guidance for early childhood family education programs.
Committee hearings – week of 3/7/22
The House Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear legislation incorporating ethnic studies into the social studies graduation requirements. The committee will also hear legislation to require mental health screening for students and legislation to fund a requirement for school districts to provide free menstrual products in student restrooms.
Thursday, the committee will hear a bill that makes changes to transportation sparsity. The committee will also hear a bill that proposes changes to LTFMR revenue, local optional revenue, and reduces school district property taxes. The committee will also hear a bill to eliminate the operating capital formula building index average age and to modify LTFMR and another that makes changes to local optional revenue.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear a bill to expand the learning opportunities a student engages in that meet minimum hours of instruction. The committee will also hear a bill to extend the eligibility for free public school enrollment for students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 during the 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 school years. The committee will also hear a bill to increase the maximum amount a school board member employed by the school district can earn from $8000 to $20,000.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill to include the Cambridge Assessment International Education in advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs. The committee will also hear a bill to require elementary education teacher candidates to receive instruction in LETRS, a bill to increase general community education revenue, and a bill to fund a requirement for school districts to provide free menstrual products in student restrooms.
Bills of interest
S.F. No. 3500: A bill for an act relating to education finance; creating a grant program to provide funding for a one-time payment for any teacher with an educational loan.
S.F. No. 3554: A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing local optional revenue; providing enhanced debt service equalization aid for consolidating school districts; reducing school district property taxes; increasing equalization aids for school formulas.
S.F. No. 3570: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for short-call substitute teacher licensing provisions for rural Minnesota.
H. F. 3891, A bill for an act relating to education finance; establishing a legislative working group to examine methods of identifying student eligibility for compensatory revenue calculations; providing appointments; requiring a report.
H. F. 3926, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying provisions for teacher preparation time.
H. F. 3963, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing additional state aid for certain high-cost special education activities; appropriating money.
H. F. 3979, A bill for an act relating to education finance; authorizing mental health grants for federal instructional setting level 4 for special education sites.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 3/7/22
This week the legislature focused on updated budget news and ongoing committee work as legislators race to get their bills heard before the first committee deadline (March 25). This week the House and Senate held 88 committee hearings and introduced 560 bills.
February budget forecast shows a growing budget surplus
On Monday, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) unveiled the February 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast. The surplus increased from $7.7 billion to $9.25 billion, an increase of $1.15 billion. This surplus is due to higher-than-expected income, corporate, and sales taxes, and reduced spending for E-12 (due to declining enrollment) and human services.
MMB cautioned legislators to approach this projection with caution, as shifts in the U.S. economy and the war in Ukraine could still impact the general fund in the future. In addition, much of the $1.15 billion projected in the February forecast is one-time money.
Senate advances “Parents Bill of Rights” proposals
The Senate passed key bills as their "Parents Bill of Rights" proposals. SF2575, sponsored by Sen. Paul Gazelka, passed on a vote of 36-30 during the Thursday floor session. The bill requires schools to notify parents they can review instructional materials and can choose reasonable accommodation for alternative instruction if a parent objects to instructional materials. SF2729, sponsored by Sen. Roger Chamberlain, also passed Thursday. This bill stipulates parents do not need to reveal their home addresses at school board meetings, but school boards can ask for the city where parents reside.
Senate advances short-call substitute bill
The Senate Finance Committee passed SF2861, legislation to speed up the licensure process for short-call substitute teachers. This bill requires PELSB to issue a short-call substitute teaching license to an applicant who holds at least an associate degree or equivalent, is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparatory program, and das been employed as an education support personnel or paraprofessional within the school district or charter schools for at least one school year. Next stop is a vote in the full Senate.
The House has not advanced the companion bill however as they are focused on an alternative bill, which has yet to be heard in the Senate.
House hears bill to tie the per-pupil formula to inflation
The House Education Finance Committee heard HF 2949, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Feist, which proposes to link the general education basic formula allowance to inflation. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus budget bill.
More redistricting changes
The dust continues to settle as legislators ponder their re-election prospects and decide whether to retire or run for other offices. Here is the updated list of retirements as of Thursday, March 3, though we expect more to come in the following weeks.
House Retirements
- Shelly Christensen (DFL–39B)
- Jim Davnie (DFL–63A)
- Bob Dettmer (R–39A)
- Sondra Erickson (R–15A)
- Rod Hamilton (R–22B)
- Alice Hausman (DFL–66A)
- Todd Lippert (DFL–20B)
- Dale Lueck (R–10B)
- Carlos Mariani (DFL–65B)
- Paul Marquart (DFL–4B)
- Tim Miller (R–17A)
- Jeremy Munson (R–23B)
- Steve Sandell (DFL–53B)
- Jen Schultz (DFL–7A)
- Mike Sundin (DFL–11A)
- Ami Wazlawik (DFL–38B)
Senate Retirements
- Melisa Lopez Franzen (DFL–49)
- Greg Clausen (DFL–57)
- Chris Eaton (DFL–40)
- Michael Goggin (R–21)
- Bill G. Ingebrigtsen (R–8)
- Susan Kent (DFL–8)
- Mary Kiffmeyer (R–30)
- Scott Newman (R–18)
- Jerry Newton (DFL–37)
- John Poston (R–9A)
- Julie Rosen (R–23)
- David Tomassoni (I–6)
- Patricia Torres Ray (DFL–63)
- Chuck Wiger (DFL–43)
House members running for the Senate
- Steve Green (R–2B) running for SD 2
- Cal Bahr (R–31B) running for SD 31
- Steve Drazkowski (R–21B) running for SD 21
- Barb Haley (R–21A) running for SD 21
- Tony Jurgens (R–54B) running SD 54
- Eric Lucero (R–30B) running for SD 30
- Kelly Morrison (DFL–33B) running for SD 33
- Jordan Rasmusson (R–8A) running for SD 8
- Tou Xiong (DFL–53A) running for SD 53
- Andrew Carlson (DFL–50B) running for SD 50
- Tama Theis (R–14) running for SD 14
House members running for other positions:
- Rena Moran (DFL–65A) running for Ramsey County Commissioner
- Jeremy Munson (R–23B) running for First U.S. Congressional District
- Ryan Winkler (DFL–46A) running for Hennepin County Attorney
Senators running for other positions:
- Michelle Benson (R–31) running for Governor
- Karla Bigham (DFL–54) running for Washington County Commissioner
- Paul Gazelka (R–9) running for Governor
Senate members running for the House
- Jerry Newton (DFL–37) running for House seat 35B
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee heard the MDE policy bill. On Wednesday, the committee heard a bill to require schools to employ at least one full-time equivalent licensed school counselor in each building. The bill also outlines the specific duties a school counselor can perform. The committee also heard a bill to require mental health screening and substance abuse prevention education.
The House Education Finance Committee heard a bill to tie the general education formula to inflation, which would help stabilize education funding. The committee also heard legislation to place special education aid payments on the same 90/10 schedule as most other major school district aid payments.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to increase safe schools revenue and legislation to direct up to 2 percent of ECFE revenue for two full-time staff at MDE to provide support and guidance for early childhood family education programs.
The House Early Childhood Finance and Policy heard legislation to expand the age range of children served by school-age care programs and to increase funding for school-age care programs. The committee also heard a bill proposing to direct up to 2 percent of ECFE revenue for two full-time staff at MDE to provide support and guidance for early childhood family education programs.
Committee hearings – week of 3/7/22
The House Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear legislation incorporating ethnic studies into the social studies graduation requirements. The committee will also hear legislation to require mental health screening for students and legislation to fund a requirement for school districts to provide free menstrual products in student restrooms.
Thursday, the committee will hear a bill that makes changes to transportation sparsity. The committee will also hear a bill that proposes changes to LTFMR revenue, local optional revenue, and reduces school district property taxes. The committee will also hear a bill to eliminate the operating capital formula building index average age and to modify LTFMR and another that makes changes to local optional revenue.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear a bill to expand the learning opportunities a student engages in that meet minimum hours of instruction. The committee will also hear a bill to extend the eligibility for free public school enrollment for students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 during the 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 school years. The committee will also hear a bill to increase the maximum amount a school board member employed by the school district can earn from $8000 to $20,000.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill to include the Cambridge Assessment International Education in advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs. The committee will also hear a bill to require elementary education teacher candidates to receive instruction in LETRS, a bill to increase general community education revenue, and a bill to fund a requirement for school districts to provide free menstrual products in student restrooms.
Bills of interest
S.F. No. 3500: A bill for an act relating to education finance; creating a grant program to provide funding for a one-time payment for any teacher with an educational loan.
S.F. No. 3554: A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing local optional revenue; providing enhanced debt service equalization aid for consolidating school districts; reducing school district property taxes; increasing equalization aids for school formulas.
S.F. No. 3570: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for short-call substitute teacher licensing provisions for rural Minnesota.
H. F. 3891, A bill for an act relating to education finance; establishing a legislative working group to examine methods of identifying student eligibility for compensatory revenue calculations; providing appointments; requiring a report.
H. F. 3926, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying provisions for teacher preparation time.
H. F. 3963, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing additional state aid for certain high-cost special education activities; appropriating money.
H. F. 3979, A bill for an act relating to education finance; authorizing mental health grants for federal instructional setting level 4 for special education sites.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
➤ Legislative Update
Deb Henton
March 3, 2022
MASA and education associations send joint letter to Minnesota Legislative Leaders regarding the MMB surplus announcement
As you consider supplemental budget priorities for the 2022 legislative session, we urge you to make stabilizing Minnesota’s education funding system one of your highest priorities. Two major state policy changes adopted in 2001 and 2002 – repealing the general education levy and removing projected inflation from the state budget forecast – have greatly destabilized Minnesota’s education funding system.... Read the full letter here.
Deb Henton
March 3, 2022
MASA and education associations send joint letter to Minnesota Legislative Leaders regarding the MMB surplus announcement
As you consider supplemental budget priorities for the 2022 legislative session, we urge you to make stabilizing Minnesota’s education funding system one of your highest priorities. Two major state policy changes adopted in 2001 and 2002 – repealing the general education levy and removing projected inflation from the state budget forecast – have greatly destabilized Minnesota’s education funding system.... Read the full letter here.
➤ Legislative Update
Deb Henton
Sent February 24, 2022 (The Henton Headlines)
Ed. Orgs. Opposed to Education Savings Accounts
The education organizations sent a letter to the Senate Education Committee objecting to SF 1525, a proposal that would establish education savings accounts to be used for private schools. Feel free to reference/use the letter in your advocacy efforts.
Deb Henton
Sent February 24, 2022 (The Henton Headlines)
Ed. Orgs. Opposed to Education Savings Accounts
The education organizations sent a letter to the Senate Education Committee objecting to SF 1525, a proposal that would establish education savings accounts to be used for private schools. Feel free to reference/use the letter in your advocacy efforts.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 2/21/22
As the first bill deadline approaches, committee hearings in the House and Senate are ramping up. This week a total of ninety-three hearings were held in both bodies. A total of 398 bills have been introduced in the legislature for far, though the Senate and House floor sessions have had a relative break in momentum as committees meet to review bills. The combination of an election year and new district maps triggered a flurry of retirements, with more to come in the following weeks.
Senate tax proposal
On Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled their overarching tax proposal. This proposal, which costs $8.5 billion over the next three fiscal years, reduces the lowest income tax rate from 5.35 percent to 2.8 percent, which reduces taxes for all filers, and exempts all Social Security income from taxes.
More redistricting changes
After the initial panic of last week, the dust is settling over the decennial legislative re-districting shake-up. It will take some time for a complete analysis of all 201 state legislative districts, but we expect to see many unfamiliar faces come next session. There are some new open seats, a sizeable number of retirements and in some new seats, legislators are preparing to campaign against their colleagues because they were paired in the same seat.
So far, twenty-five legislators in the House and Senate have announced they will not be running for re-election in 2022. Notably, two key leaders in the Senate have announced their retirement, Senate President David Osmek (R - Mound) and Senate Minority leader Melissa Franzen (DFL – Edina). Several other legislators have decided to run for the opposite body or a different elected office.
Student data privacy bill update
Legislation recently advanced in the MN House proposing new student data privacy requirements for technology providers and schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
HF341 includes provisions important to holding technology vendors accountable but some provisions in the bill will impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classrooms. There are two provisions of greatest concern -- the school-issued device monitoring and opt-out sections of this bill.
MASA, along with other education organizations, have been communicating concerns to legislators and have been doing targeted outreach to members of the House Education Policy Committee. We will provide updates on this issue, and if the need arises, we will send out an advocacy alert.
Committee hearings – week of 2/21/22
The House Education Finance Committee heard legislation to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants. The committee also heard a presentation from NWEA on student achievement during the pandemic.
The House Education Policy Committee heard bills related to bullying, student misconduct, and ethnic studies requirements.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill establishing Education Savings Accounts (vouchers), and a bill proposing to increase the maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district. The committee also heard a bill by Sen. Chamberlain to suspend World’s Best Workforce for five years. Instead, school districts would be required to adopt a comprehensive plan to support and improve teaching and learning aligned to have 90 percent of third-grade students achieve grade-level reading proficiency during the five-year suspension.
Committee hearings – week of 2/28/22
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee is hearing the MDE policy bill. Wednesday that committee is hearing a slate of bills relating to student support services, substance abuse prevention, mental health screening, and lead testing.
The House Education Finance Committee has a light agenda next week but that could change as the week progresses.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled to hear overviews on topics regarding reading instruction.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
S.F. No. 3270: A bill for an act relating to education finance; modifying the calculation of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; amending the allowed uses of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; modifying the calculation of safe schools revenue; amending the allowed uses of safe schools revenue; appropriating money
S.F. No. 3293: A bill for an act relating to teacher licensing; providing for short-call substitute teacher emergency licensing provisions; appropriating money.
S.F. No. 3380: A bill for an act relating to education; modifying the safe schools revenue program; appropriating money.
H. F. 3624, A bill for an act relating to education finance; creating a grant program to provide funding for a one-time payment for any teacher with an educational loan; appropriating money.
H. F. 3634, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring mental health screening for students; creating student mental health supports revenue; appropriating money.
H. F. 3673, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying substitute teacher provisions; requiring school buildings to employ a substitute teacher; appropriating money.
H. F. 3723, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying social studies requirements; requiring school districts to offer a course in government and citizenship.
H. F. 3727, A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing the portion of special education aid paid in the current year; appropriating money.
H. F. 3773, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for retirement service credit for certain school employees.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Week of 2/21/22
As the first bill deadline approaches, committee hearings in the House and Senate are ramping up. This week a total of ninety-three hearings were held in both bodies. A total of 398 bills have been introduced in the legislature for far, though the Senate and House floor sessions have had a relative break in momentum as committees meet to review bills. The combination of an election year and new district maps triggered a flurry of retirements, with more to come in the following weeks.
Senate tax proposal
On Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled their overarching tax proposal. This proposal, which costs $8.5 billion over the next three fiscal years, reduces the lowest income tax rate from 5.35 percent to 2.8 percent, which reduces taxes for all filers, and exempts all Social Security income from taxes.
More redistricting changes
After the initial panic of last week, the dust is settling over the decennial legislative re-districting shake-up. It will take some time for a complete analysis of all 201 state legislative districts, but we expect to see many unfamiliar faces come next session. There are some new open seats, a sizeable number of retirements and in some new seats, legislators are preparing to campaign against their colleagues because they were paired in the same seat.
So far, twenty-five legislators in the House and Senate have announced they will not be running for re-election in 2022. Notably, two key leaders in the Senate have announced their retirement, Senate President David Osmek (R - Mound) and Senate Minority leader Melissa Franzen (DFL – Edina). Several other legislators have decided to run for the opposite body or a different elected office.
Student data privacy bill update
Legislation recently advanced in the MN House proposing new student data privacy requirements for technology providers and schools utilizing school-issued technological devices.
HF341 includes provisions important to holding technology vendors accountable but some provisions in the bill will impact how school districts use technology in our schools and classrooms. There are two provisions of greatest concern -- the school-issued device monitoring and opt-out sections of this bill.
MASA, along with other education organizations, have been communicating concerns to legislators and have been doing targeted outreach to members of the House Education Policy Committee. We will provide updates on this issue, and if the need arises, we will send out an advocacy alert.
Committee hearings – week of 2/21/22
The House Education Finance Committee heard legislation to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants. The committee also heard a presentation from NWEA on student achievement during the pandemic.
The House Education Policy Committee heard bills related to bullying, student misconduct, and ethnic studies requirements.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill establishing Education Savings Accounts (vouchers), and a bill proposing to increase the maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district. The committee also heard a bill by Sen. Chamberlain to suspend World’s Best Workforce for five years. Instead, school districts would be required to adopt a comprehensive plan to support and improve teaching and learning aligned to have 90 percent of third-grade students achieve grade-level reading proficiency during the five-year suspension.
Committee hearings – week of 2/28/22
On Monday, the House Education Policy Committee is hearing the MDE policy bill. Wednesday that committee is hearing a slate of bills relating to student support services, substance abuse prevention, mental health screening, and lead testing.
The House Education Finance Committee has a light agenda next week but that could change as the week progresses.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled to hear overviews on topics regarding reading instruction.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
S.F. No. 3270: A bill for an act relating to education finance; modifying the calculation of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; amending the allowed uses of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; modifying the calculation of safe schools revenue; amending the allowed uses of safe schools revenue; appropriating money
S.F. No. 3293: A bill for an act relating to teacher licensing; providing for short-call substitute teacher emergency licensing provisions; appropriating money.
S.F. No. 3380: A bill for an act relating to education; modifying the safe schools revenue program; appropriating money.
H. F. 3624, A bill for an act relating to education finance; creating a grant program to provide funding for a one-time payment for any teacher with an educational loan; appropriating money.
H. F. 3634, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring mental health screening for students; creating student mental health supports revenue; appropriating money.
H. F. 3673, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying substitute teacher provisions; requiring school buildings to employ a substitute teacher; appropriating money.
H. F. 3723, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying social studies requirements; requiring school districts to offer a course in government and citizenship.
H. F. 3727, A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing the portion of special education aid paid in the current year; appropriating money.
H. F. 3773, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for retirement service credit for certain school employees.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Sent 2/21/22
Redistricting was the focus
On Tuesday, February 15, a judicial panel released Minnesota’s new congressional and legislative district maps that will shape our political landscape for the next ten years. While many sitting representatives and senators will run for election in their new seats, several incumbents may decide to retire as they are faced with a re-election campaign in dramatically different districts or competition between their colleagues.
Despite the attention given to the new legislative maps, key bills did advance this week. The Senate passed legislation to repay the Unemployment Trust Fund. The House advanced a proposal to provide additional pay to COVID frontline workers through several committees.
Budget Update
The January monthly budget report brought promising budget news but with some caveats. The report showed tax revenues exceeded estimates by 25 percent or $649 million above the forecast. Tax receipts were down for income taxes but higher for corporate, sales, and other taxes. These increases are due to estimated tax payments for the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTE) that will be credited against business owners’ tax liability for 2021 taxes.
Committee hearings – week of 2/14/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard legislation addressing the shortage of short-call substitutes, a proposal to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants, and bills related to parental curriculum review (SF2575, SF2666, SF2909).
The House Education Finance Committee heard bills for paraprofessional training, the Teacher of Color Act, and a bill to mandate provisions related to non-licensed school personnel wages, benefits, and training.
The House Education Policy Committee heard legislation to require school districts to provide students access to free menstrual products in student restrooms, a bill requiring schools to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists, and a bill requiring schools to have at least two epinephrine auto-injectors at each site. The committee also heard legislation to fund two school mental health services leads at MDE.
Committee hearings – week of 2/21/22
The House Education Finance Committee agenda is light this week. Of note, the committee will hear legislation to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants. The committee will also hear a presentation from NWEA on student achievement.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear bills related to bullying, student misconduct, and ethnic studies requirements.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill establishing Education Savings Accounts (vouchers) and a bill proposing to increase the maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district.
Update on advocacy request
Thank you for responding to our call to action using our new advocacy tool. So far, MASA members sent out 208 emails to their representatives and senators! We are resolving some technical glitches, so thank you for your patience as we work through those!
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
S.F. No. 3107: A bill for an act relating to education; increasing maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district.
S.F. No. 3194: A bill for an act relating to education finance; linking the general education basic formula allowance to the rate of inflation; linking extended time revenue and local optional revenue to the general education basic formula allowance.
S.F. No. 3239: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for transparency in curriculum and expanding parents' rights in schools.
H. F. 3378, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying student bullying policy provisions.
H. F. 3402, A bill for an act relating to education; prohibiting exclusion from recess as student discipline.
H. F. 3434, A bill for an act relating to education; creating an ethnic studies requirement; creating an Ethnic Studies Task Force.
H. F. 3531, A bill for an act relating to education finance; requiring certain forecasted positive general fund balances be allocated to increase the aid payment schedule for school district aids and credits; adjusting the aid payment percentage; adjusting the special education aid payment percentage.
H. F. 3555, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying unrequested leave of absence provisions for teachers.
H. F. 3580, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring indexing of English learner programs revenue to basic education revenue.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Sent 2/21/22
Redistricting was the focus
On Tuesday, February 15, a judicial panel released Minnesota’s new congressional and legislative district maps that will shape our political landscape for the next ten years. While many sitting representatives and senators will run for election in their new seats, several incumbents may decide to retire as they are faced with a re-election campaign in dramatically different districts or competition between their colleagues.
Despite the attention given to the new legislative maps, key bills did advance this week. The Senate passed legislation to repay the Unemployment Trust Fund. The House advanced a proposal to provide additional pay to COVID frontline workers through several committees.
Budget Update
The January monthly budget report brought promising budget news but with some caveats. The report showed tax revenues exceeded estimates by 25 percent or $649 million above the forecast. Tax receipts were down for income taxes but higher for corporate, sales, and other taxes. These increases are due to estimated tax payments for the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTE) that will be credited against business owners’ tax liability for 2021 taxes.
Committee hearings – week of 2/14/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard legislation addressing the shortage of short-call substitutes, a proposal to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants, and bills related to parental curriculum review (SF2575, SF2666, SF2909).
The House Education Finance Committee heard bills for paraprofessional training, the Teacher of Color Act, and a bill to mandate provisions related to non-licensed school personnel wages, benefits, and training.
The House Education Policy Committee heard legislation to require school districts to provide students access to free menstrual products in student restrooms, a bill requiring schools to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists, and a bill requiring schools to have at least two epinephrine auto-injectors at each site. The committee also heard legislation to fund two school mental health services leads at MDE.
Committee hearings – week of 2/21/22
The House Education Finance Committee agenda is light this week. Of note, the committee will hear legislation to provide $33 million for Language Essentials for Teaching of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) grants. The committee will also hear a presentation from NWEA on student achievement.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear bills related to bullying, student misconduct, and ethnic studies requirements.
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear a bill establishing Education Savings Accounts (vouchers) and a bill proposing to increase the maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district.
Update on advocacy request
Thank you for responding to our call to action using our new advocacy tool. So far, MASA members sent out 208 emails to their representatives and senators! We are resolving some technical glitches, so thank you for your patience as we work through those!
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
S.F. No. 3107: A bill for an act relating to education; increasing maximum earnings for school board members employed by a school district.
S.F. No. 3194: A bill for an act relating to education finance; linking the general education basic formula allowance to the rate of inflation; linking extended time revenue and local optional revenue to the general education basic formula allowance.
S.F. No. 3239: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for transparency in curriculum and expanding parents' rights in schools.
H. F. 3378, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying student bullying policy provisions.
H. F. 3402, A bill for an act relating to education; prohibiting exclusion from recess as student discipline.
H. F. 3434, A bill for an act relating to education; creating an ethnic studies requirement; creating an Ethnic Studies Task Force.
H. F. 3531, A bill for an act relating to education finance; requiring certain forecasted positive general fund balances be allocated to increase the aid payment schedule for school district aids and credits; adjusting the aid payment percentage; adjusting the special education aid payment percentage.
H. F. 3555, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying unrequested leave of absence provisions for teachers.
H. F. 3580, A bill for an act relating to education; requiring indexing of English learner programs revenue to basic education revenue.
➤ Legislative Update
Deb Henton
Sent February 17, 2022 (The Henton Headlines)
Parent Rights
A number of bills have been introduced regarding the rights of parents who have children in Minnesota’s public schools. MASA joined MSBA and AMSD in sending a letter to the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee affirming our desire to engage parents in our public schools. Included in the communication to the committee was a compilation of MSBA Model Policies and MN statutes already requiring parent involvement.
Expect the discussion on parent rights to be present during this legislative session. You might want to think about all the ways you involve parents and share that information when you meet with senators and representatives during your Days at the Capitol, or during other events when you come in contact with legislators.
Deb Henton
Sent February 17, 2022 (The Henton Headlines)
Parent Rights
A number of bills have been introduced regarding the rights of parents who have children in Minnesota’s public schools. MASA joined MSBA and AMSD in sending a letter to the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee affirming our desire to engage parents in our public schools. Included in the communication to the committee was a compilation of MSBA Model Policies and MN statutes already requiring parent involvement.
Expect the discussion on parent rights to be present during this legislative session. You might want to think about all the ways you involve parents and share that information when you meet with senators and representatives during your Days at the Capitol, or during other events when you come in contact with legislators.
➤ Legislative Update
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Sent February 14, 2022
Second Week in Session
Committee hearings began in earnest this week with a full slate of bills. We are starting to see issues advance in both bodies relating to frontline worker bonus pay, public safety, teacher licensure, and refilling the unemployment insurance trust fund.
A judicial panel will release new district maps on Valentine’s Day outlining new congressional and legislative district boundaries. Legislators will be distracted pouring over their new legislative districts and deciding their re-election prospects.
Committee hearings – week of 2/7/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard overviews on LiveMore ScreenLess and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Both programs received funding in the 2021 Education Finance budget bill, and these two items are high priorities for the Senate.
The House Education Policy Committee heard HF2950, a bill to increase the supply of substitute teachers through mechanisms to make teacher licensure more flexible and accessible. These would include a pilot program for short-call substitute teachers, allowing those with a lapsed license to accept a teaching position and allowing conditional teaching licenses for those who have not yet passed the licensure exam. The bill also would allow school districts and charters to adopt crisis online learning when necessary. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee and now heads to the House floor. The Senate companion has yet to receive a hearing in that body.
The House Education Finance Committee heard two bills aligned with our priorities. HF2944 phases out the English learner cross-subsidy. HF2657 eliminates the special education cross-subsidy. A statewide cohort of superintendents, business managers, and school board members provided strong testimony supporting both bills. If you are curious about what these bills mean to your district, here is the district-run for HF2944, and here is the district-run for HF2657.
The committee also heard an overview from MDE on the Governor’s supplemental budget recommendations.
The House Education Policy Committee heard and passed HF3079, the Increase Teachers of Color Act.
Committee hearings – week of 2/14/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear bills addressing the shortage of short-call substitutes, LETRS, and issues related to parental curriculum review.
The House Education Finance Committee will hear legislation regarding paraprofessional training and the Teacher of Color Act.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear a slate of health-related bills.
Call to action coming next week!
Next week you will receive a call to action from us asking you to connect with your elected officials. Our ask will be a simple one to reach out to your elected officials, share our priorities, and encourage them to prioritize education funding this year.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
H. F. 3079, A bill for an act relating to education; strengthening the Increase Teachers of Color Act.
H. F. 3124, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying short-call substitute teacher requirements.
S.F. No. 2909: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for transparency in curriculum; protecting parent's rights.
S.F. No. 2952: A bill for an act relating to education; modifying teacher shortage reporting requirements.
H. F. 3224, A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing local optional revenue; providing enhanced debt service equalization aid for consolidating school districts; reducing school district property taxes; increasing equalization aids for school formulas; appropriating money.
H. F. 3231, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying teacher licensure provisions; modifying Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board composition; authorizing rulemaking.
H. F. 3232, A bill for an act relating to education finance; eliminating an average age of buildings index from the operating capital formula; modifying the long-term facilities maintenance revenue age index for school districts adding square footage; authorizing flexibility for the use of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing the long-term facilities maintenance levy equalizing factor to keep the statewide levy impact unchanged.
H. F. 3260, A bill for an act relating to education; prohibiting malicious and sadistic conduct involving race, religion, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, and sexual exploitation.
H. F. 3295, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing for a more complete count of low-income students; appropriating money.
Valerie Dosland, MASA Lobbyist
Sent February 14, 2022
Second Week in Session
Committee hearings began in earnest this week with a full slate of bills. We are starting to see issues advance in both bodies relating to frontline worker bonus pay, public safety, teacher licensure, and refilling the unemployment insurance trust fund.
A judicial panel will release new district maps on Valentine’s Day outlining new congressional and legislative district boundaries. Legislators will be distracted pouring over their new legislative districts and deciding their re-election prospects.
Committee hearings – week of 2/7/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee heard overviews on LiveMore ScreenLess and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Both programs received funding in the 2021 Education Finance budget bill, and these two items are high priorities for the Senate.
The House Education Policy Committee heard HF2950, a bill to increase the supply of substitute teachers through mechanisms to make teacher licensure more flexible and accessible. These would include a pilot program for short-call substitute teachers, allowing those with a lapsed license to accept a teaching position and allowing conditional teaching licenses for those who have not yet passed the licensure exam. The bill also would allow school districts and charters to adopt crisis online learning when necessary. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee and now heads to the House floor. The Senate companion has yet to receive a hearing in that body.
The House Education Finance Committee heard two bills aligned with our priorities. HF2944 phases out the English learner cross-subsidy. HF2657 eliminates the special education cross-subsidy. A statewide cohort of superintendents, business managers, and school board members provided strong testimony supporting both bills. If you are curious about what these bills mean to your district, here is the district-run for HF2944, and here is the district-run for HF2657.
The committee also heard an overview from MDE on the Governor’s supplemental budget recommendations.
The House Education Policy Committee heard and passed HF3079, the Increase Teachers of Color Act.
Committee hearings – week of 2/14/22
The Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee will hear bills addressing the shortage of short-call substitutes, LETRS, and issues related to parental curriculum review.
The House Education Finance Committee will hear legislation regarding paraprofessional training and the Teacher of Color Act.
The House Education Policy Committee will hear a slate of health-related bills.
Call to action coming next week!
Next week you will receive a call to action from us asking you to connect with your elected officials. Our ask will be a simple one to reach out to your elected officials, share our priorities, and encourage them to prioritize education funding this year.
Dates to remember
March 25: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
April 1: Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
April 8: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
April 11- 18: Easter/Passover/Spring Break
May 23: Constitutional adjournment date
Bill introductions of interest
H. F. 3079, A bill for an act relating to education; strengthening the Increase Teachers of Color Act.
H. F. 3124, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying short-call substitute teacher requirements.
S.F. No. 2909: A bill for an act relating to education; providing for transparency in curriculum; protecting parent's rights.
S.F. No. 2952: A bill for an act relating to education; modifying teacher shortage reporting requirements.
H. F. 3224, A bill for an act relating to education finance; increasing long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing local optional revenue; providing enhanced debt service equalization aid for consolidating school districts; reducing school district property taxes; increasing equalization aids for school formulas; appropriating money.
H. F. 3231, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying teacher licensure provisions; modifying Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board composition; authorizing rulemaking.
H. F. 3232, A bill for an act relating to education finance; eliminating an average age of buildings index from the operating capital formula; modifying the long-term facilities maintenance revenue age index for school districts adding square footage; authorizing flexibility for the use of long-term facilities maintenance revenue; increasing the long-term facilities maintenance levy equalizing factor to keep the statewide levy impact unchanged.
H. F. 3260, A bill for an act relating to education; prohibiting malicious and sadistic conduct involving race, religion, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, and sexual exploitation.
H. F. 3295, A bill for an act relating to education finance; providing for a more complete count of low-income students; appropriating money.