Legislative Update
A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts		 February 13, 2009
If this is your first Legislative Update from SEE - Welcome! 
Brad Lundell, Executive Director for SEE, writes a blog on almost a daily basis.  For up-to-date detailed information about what is happening at the capitol visit Brad's Blog.
In This Issue
Economic Stimulus Plan
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Education Committee Meetings
Education Bills
Committee Deadlines
Quick Links

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Economic Stimulus Plan 
Legislative leaders and Governor Pawlenty's finance officials received a preliminary analysis of the $789 billion federal economic stimulus package from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) staff.  Keep in mind that this information was the best available at the time.  The staff stressed that the bill is a work in progress and the actual bill's text has not been seen. 

It was reported that the education dollars of the federal stimulus will flow through two revenue streams and all dollars will be distributed over the next two years:

The first stream is enhancements to existing federal education programs.   Nearly all existing federal education programs will get a boost including $13 billion for Title-1, $650 million on K-12 education technology, $70 billion for education for homeless children and youth, $11.7 billion for Special Education Part B grants to states, and $500 million Special Education Part C for infants and families.  Existing regular spending rules and distribution formulas for Title-1 and Special Education will be used.

The second stream is $53.6 billion for the States Stabilization Fund.  The funds will be allocated based on the state's population - 61% based on the population of school age children from 5 - 24 years old and the other 39% is based on the state's overall population. 

Of the $53.6 billion, $40.6 billion will be dedicated to maintaining each state's fiscal 2008 education funding levels and must first be used to close any funding gaps due to state budget cuts.   The money must be distributed through a state's current education funding formulas.  If dollars are available after assuring 2008 education funding levels are maintained, they must stay in education.  There is no penalty for not meeting the 2008 education funding levels as long as all these federal dollars are put towards the formula.  Therefore, it is conceivable that the state can cut education funding by more than what it will receive from the federal government and education could still experience a net decrease. 

Of the other $13 billion in the State Stabilization Fund, $8 billion can be used for other government services including education and $5 billion is for state incentive grants to reach NCLB goals.  Here there is maintenance of effort condition for the states to qualify for these funds.  The state must maintain spending levels for fiscal year 2006. 
 
Minnesota's Commissioner of Finance Tom Hanson estimated that Minnesota might receive approximately $2 billion dollars from the entire federal stimulus package of which the education dollars are just a fraction.   An updated February budget forecast will be released on March 3 and the state's deficit is expected to increase, some say it could reach almost $7 billion dollars.  Clearly, although helpful, the federal dollars will not erase Minnesota's staggering deficit.  The legislature and the governor will still have to make tough choices to balance the budget, hopefully without crippling the state's ability to prosper when economic times are better. 
 Upcoming Events
  • In the coming weeks, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate, will be holding town hall meetings across our state to hear from Minnesotans on Governor Pawlenty's budget recommendations.  Check out the schedule to see when one is near you.  Consider attending to voice support for education and encourage state legislators to preserve Minnesota's education system which is Minnesota's greatest asset.
  • The Anoka-Hennepin Parent Legislative Team is hosting a series entitled: BIG IDEAS: Conversations on the Future of Education. The first forum features Angie Eilers of Growth and Justice who will present "Smart Investments in Minnesota's Students" on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome.
  • Parents United's 7th Annual Parents Leadership Summit is on Monday March 16 from 8:30 - 3:30.  This is an excellent opportunity for parents and education to supporter to network with others from across the state.  The morning program includes for the first time in one parent-accessible venue, three reports with huge implications for education in Minnesota:
    • The Lost Decade, Katherine Blauvelt, Minnesota Budget Project
    • Kitchen Table Budget Principles, Jermaine Toney, Organizing Apprenticeship Project
    • Smart Investments in Minnesota Students, Angie Eilers, Growth and Justice.
Working together, we can make a difference. 
 
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. 
 
Deb Griffiths
Director of Communications and Community Outreach
Schools for Equity in Education
612-309-0089
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 Upcoming Scheduled Education Committee Meetings
 
These committee meetings were current when published but schedules are very fluid at the legislature.  If you plan on visiting a committee meeting, verify the agenda by clicking on the links below.
 
In the Senate . . .
 
 
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda:  
S.F. 433 Bonoff School finance alternative facilities bonding and levy program modification.
S.F. 511 Rosen School districts alternative facilities bonding and levy program and deferred maintenance revenue program qualifications modification.
S.F. 464 Scheid School districts statutory operating debt levy authority.
S.F. 430 Lynch School districts debt service equalization state aid increase.
 
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda:  
MDE: Education portion of the federal stimulus

Thursday, February 19, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda:  
Growth & Justice: Smart Investments in Minnesota's students


In the House . . .  
 
K-12 Education Finance

MONDAY, February 16, 2009
3:00 PM
Joint Committee: K-12 Integration Revenue Program Work Group
Room: 300S State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Robin Brown, Rep. Jerry Newton
Agenda: Integration revenue program

TUESDAY, February 17, 2009
2:45 PM
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Special education task force report

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2009
2:45 PM
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Education provisions of federal stimulus bill


K-12 Policy and Oversight
 
TUESDAY, February 17, 2009
8:30 AM
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: Business community perspectives on education

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2009
8:30 AM
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF314 (Mariani) Compulsory attendance age increased to 18.
HF439 (Norton) Statewide academic standards required for physical education.
Education Bills
Following are education bills that have been introduced in the House and Senate.  Click on the individual bill to see the status and description.  Bills that have been added this week are found at the end of each section in orange.  
  
 
In the Senate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
SF 344--Jungbauer--Extends compensatory revenue pilot program

SF 348--Bonoff--Miinnesota Miracle Bill: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SF 509--Rosen--Increased Swimming Pool Levy for Small School Districts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the House:
 
HF 65--Mullery--Requires service learning for graduation
  


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HF 501--Mariani--Creating Alternative Means to Graduation for StudentsHF 501--Mariani--Creating Alternative Means to Graduation for Students
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HF 601--Slawik--Early Childhood Education Funding for Various ProgramsHF 601--Slawik--Early Childhood Education Funding for Various Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Committee Deadlines
Deadlines Set: It may seem like minutae, but the legislative deadlines often play a huge role in how the business of the legislature unfolds, especially near the end of session. This year, with the major budget challenges facing the state, the deadlines will likely take on even greater importance.

The deadlines are as follows:

First Deadline--Friday, March 27: Last day for policy committees to act favorably on bills in the house of origin (in English, last day for Senate policy committees to act on Senate Files and House policy committees to act on House Files).

Second Deadline--Tuesday, April 7: Last day for policy committees in either body to act favorably on bills or companions of bills that met the first deadline in the other house (in English, House policy committee may act upon HF XX if SF YY met the first deadline in the Senate).

Third Deadline--Thursday, April 16: Last day for House and Senate budget divisions to act favorably on omnibus education funding bills (This is the one the education community watches most closely, as Senator Stumpf and Representative Greiling will have to have the omnibus K-12 bills out of their divisions no later than this day).

Fourth Deadline--Wednesday, April 22: Last day for Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee to act favorably on an omnibus appropriations and tax bills.

Fifth Deadline--Thursday, May 7: Conference committee reports on omnibus appropriations and tax bills must be reported to the floor. This is new for this year and will give the Legislature nine working days to pass their major funding and tax bills and send them to the Governor for signature or veto.