Thursday, January 6, 2011

112th Congress meets; state House Education Committee sets priorities; Commissioners named

Yesterday at the Capitol

The 112th Congress convened yesterday as Republicans took control of the House and elected Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, Speaker by a vote of 241-173. Boehner said he will run the House in a more inclusive and businesslike way. The new Republican majority got down to business and changed House rules that would require spending increases to be directly offset with cuts elsewhere. This change will help Republicans, who are joined by 87 new members, repeal the health care legislation and cut federal spending, a promise made on the campaign trail. The Senate also convened yesterday and still hold a Democrat majority by a split of 53-47, a reduction of 6 seats.

Back in Minnesota, the House Education Finance committee met for the first time yesterday and new Chair Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, explained the goals for the committee this year. Garofalo said the committee’s motto is: "Kids first. No excuses. No exceptions." As members discussed their priorities, some of the common ones included school funding inequities, mandate relief and greater local control.

Rep. Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, said she hopes to address issues of equity and fairness in funding that "property poor" districts like hers face, bound by caps on property tax levies. Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, a high school physical education and health teacher and coach for 34 years, also singled out funding inequities across his district in northern Minnesota.

Chair Garofalo said priorities would include correcting the achievement gap, calling that goal "crucial for the future of job creation." He said there is no reason students in poverty cannot achieve academic success.

Also yesterday, Gov. Dayton appointed two more cabinet-level positions. Mike Rothman was named Commerce Commissioner and Myron Frans was named Commissioner for the Department of Revenue. Rothman was most recently an attorney with the firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., and Frans was most recently a tax attorney at the law firm of Faegre & Benson LLP.

Newly appointed Commissioner Frans will not join the Dayton Administration on a full-time basis immediately. Dayton said, "I respect his need, as the CEO of a successful and growing business, to conclude those responsibilities properly. In the meantime, he will advise me on a voluntary part-time basis, and the Revenue Department will be very capably managed by former Commissioner and now Deputy Commissioner, Dan Salamone."

Today at the Capitol

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Introductions
Committee priorities
Overview of committee operating procedures

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 10

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

9:00 AM
Senate Rules and Administration
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Amy Koch
Agenda: TBA

3:00 PM
House in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Committee
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Minnesota Office of Higher Education overview

Tuesday, January 11

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

Wednesday, January 12

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

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