House passes K-12 bill; Light schedule for Republican convention

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House K-12 Education Finance committee passed the omnibus K-12 education bill out of committee yesterday after multiple amendments. The bill, HF 2431, now heads to the Finance committee where it is scheduled to be heard Monday morning.

One of the amendments approved by committee members was offered by Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, chairman of the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee. The amendment requires all schools to conduct annual teacher evaluations. Other provisions included in the bill, and reported in Tuesday's Daily Update, include tighter licensing rules for teachers and administrators; data sharing that could help the Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators and the Education Department to track educators’ performance; and two different approaches to alternative teacher licensure pathways.

The Senate E-12 Education Finance division also met yesterday and committee members approved amendments revising E-12 funding for 2011-2012 in SF 3028. The committee is expected to take up their policy bill next Tuesday and much of the focus will be on items related to Race to the Top.

Today at the Capitol

There are no higher education related committee hearings or floor sessions today or tomorrow due to the Republican state party convention beginning today at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Looking Ahead

Monday, May 3

9:00 AM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda: HF2431 (Greiling) Omnibus K-12 education bill
SF1761 (Fritz) Health plans required to establish equal out-of-pocket requirements for oral and intravenously administered chemotherapy medications.
HF3251 (Lillie) Portable electronics insurance regulated.

9:00 AM
House Taxes
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Ann Lenczewski
Agenda: HF3729 (Lenczewski) Omnibus tax bill (A delete-all amendment will be offered to this bill. Language will be available online April 30).

2:00 PM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, May 4

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: Federal School Improvement Grants and Minnesota's list of "Persistently Lowest-Achieving Schools"

8:30 AM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: HF3678 (Clark) Challenge program for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing purposes funding provided, and bonds issued.
HF3725 (Marquart) Mortgage registry tax and deed tax proceed portion appropriated to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to be used for creation of affordable housing units.
Second Order Amending Order of Commissioner of Finance
Relating to Use and Sale of State Bond Financed Property, MMB
Meeting Documents: revised commissioner's order on section 16A.69

Tuesday, May 11
12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
University District Alliance report
HEFA confirmations