Monday, January 31, 2011

Governor to release bonding proposal; schedules posted

Today at the Capitol
Gov. Mark Dayton will release his bonding proposal at a news conference this morning. He has previously said that he will release about $500 million in projects and suggest that the Legislature add another $500 million.

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda: Department of Military Affairs Overview and Department of Veteran Affairs Overview

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda: Getting Prepared: A 2010 Report on Recent High School Graduates Who Took Developmental/Remedial Courses

3:00 PM
House in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, Ed.D
Minnesota Board of School Administrator appointee confirmations

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, February 1

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Minnesota Department of Education Data Systems
Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Executive Director, Data Quality Campaign

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 56-Thompson: School district and charter school salary freeze imposition; safe schools levy set aside requirement removal; staff development reserved revenue and school district contract deadline and penalty repeal.
S.F. 40-Olson, G.: Teacher licensure provisions modifications; alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license establishment.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Getting Prepared: A 2010 Report on Recent High School Graduates Who Took Developmental/Remedial Courses

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep.Pat Garofalo,
Agenda: HF88(Doepke) Student health personnel set-aside removed.
Schools for Equity inEducation: Brad Lundell, Executive Director

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Minnesota Dept. of Education Data Systems
Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Executive Director, Data Quality Campaign

4:30 PM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: HF55 (Hackbarth) Stream easement acquisition provisions
modified; state park, state forest, and land exchange provisions
modified; state parks and state forests added to and deleted from; and public and private sales, conveyances, and exchanges of state land authorized.
HF1 (Fabian) Environmental permitting efficiency provided, and
environmental review requirements modified.
HF79 (Davids) Dependent health care coverage to adult children through age 26 for tax year 2010 federal extension conformed.
HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative
teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license
established, and report required.

Wednesday, February 2
Rochester Day at the Capitol
The Rochester Community and Technical College band will be playing in the Capitol Rotunda at 1:45 p.m.

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda: Higher Education budget and funding overview. Presented by Maja Weidmann Senate Fiscal Analyst

Call of the Chair
Senate in Session

Thursday, February 3
8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF110 (Kahn) Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement membership increased.
Finish up Public Pension fund overview from January 18th:
Mary Vanek, Executive Director of Public Employees Retirement
Association (PERA); Laurie Hacking, Executive Director of Teachers Retirement Association (TRA); and Dave Bergstrom, Executive Director, or another representative of Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)
Additional bills may be added.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Agency update and priorities from the Minnesota Department of Education - Commissioner Brenda Cassellius

8:30 AM
Joint Meeting: Senate Finance and Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire Robling and Sen. Julianne
Agenda: State Budget Trends Study Commission Report presentation - Kevin Goodno, Co-Chair
State Rankings presentation - Mark Haveman, Executive Director Minnesota Taxpayer Association

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF89 (Benson) Voter picture identification required before
receiving a ballot, voter identification card provided at no charge, and provisional balloting procedure established.
HF210 (Kiffmeyer) Voter picture identification required before receiving a ballot, identification cards provided at no charge, provisional ballot procedures established, election administration procedures specified, electronic polling place required, recount procedures enacted, and money appropriated.

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep.Pat Garofalo,
Agenda: Agency update and priorities
Minnesota Department of Education
Brenda Cassellius, Commissioner

Friday, January 28, 2011

Budget reduction bill passes House; Schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

Members passed HF 130, the first budget reduction bill, off the House floor yesterday by a vote of 68-63. Bill author Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, said the bill would give lawmakers a head start on addressing the deficit. "The only way to eat a hippo is a piece at a time," Holberg said. Opponents of the bill argued the reductions would lead to higher property taxes and increased tuition at colleges and universities. Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, criticized Republicans for cutting $185 million in funding to the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and said the bill would force those schools to raise tuition.

The Senate is expected to take up their version of the bill next Thursday, and then a conference committee will be formed to work through the differences in the bill. One of the major differences is the amount Minnesota Management and Budget is required to cut from state agency budgets. The House bill cuts $200 million from agencies and the Senate bill scaled back their cuts to $125 million. Gov. Dayton has said he doesn't support either bill and said he wants a budget deal that addresses the entire $6.2 billion budget deficit.

Today at the Capitol

10:00 AM
Legislative leaders will address the media

2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 31


11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
Getting Prepared: A 2010 Report on Recent High School Graduates Who Took Developmental/Remedial Courses

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, February 1

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 56-Thompson: School district and charter school salary freeze imposition; safe schools levy set aside requirement removal; staff development reserved revenue and school district contract deadline and penalty repeal.
S.F. 40-Olson, G.: Teacher licensure provisions modifications; alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license establishment.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

Wednesday, February 2

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
Higher Education budget and funding overview. Presented by Maja Weidmann Senate Fiscal Analyst

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Budget bills moved; Workforce announcement to be made; Schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

The Senate Finance committee took up SF 60 yesterday morning, and passed the bill after chief author, Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan, amended the bill to require Minnesota Management and Budget to find $125 million in agency cuts instead of $200 million. The budget reduction bill that reduces the state's projected $6.2 billion deficit by approximately $1 billion, now heads to the floor. As a reminder, the cut to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities brings the annual base down $23 million to $582 million. The House is expected to take up the bill on the floor today at 3:00 p.m.

Also yesterday, the House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved the zero-based budgeting bill. HF 2, sponsored by Rep. King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, would require every state agency to present a "decision package" for lawmakers, detailing every individual activity the agency carries out. The bill heads next to the State Government Finance Committee.

Today at the Capitol

Gov. Dayton will travel to Jackson today to "announce details of new jobs and economic development efforts in southwest Minnesota." He’ll be accompanied by GOP legislators Sen. Doug Magnus and Rep. Rod Hamilton, as well as DEED commissioner Mark Phillips.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Getting Prepared Report, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota
HF115 (Barrett) School district January 15 deadline repealed by which a collective bargaining agreement must be reached or face a state aid penalty.
HF92 (Downey) Teacher contract deadline aid penalty repealed.

8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: University of Minnesota:
Dean of Veterinarian School
Dean of Agriculture School
Dean of Extension
MARL - brief introduction and explanation

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF110 (Kahn) Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement membership increased.
Department of Administration overview:
Acting Commissioner Ryan Church

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Introduction of Recently Appointed Director of Office of Higher Education - Dr. Sheila Wright
Legislative Reports from the Office of Higher Education:
Achieve Scholarship Program
Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP)
Reducing Textbook Costs

12:30 PM
House Education
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF88 (Doepke) Student health personnel set-aside removed.
HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
Meeting Documents:
H0088A1
H0063A3

H0063A4

H0063DE3

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program
Presentation from the University of Minnesota

3:00 PM
House in Session
HF130 (Holberg) Fiscal year 2011 appropriations reduced, policies changed, and appropriation reductions made for fiscal years 2012 and 2013; and tax aid, credits and payment reductions made.

Looking Ahead

Friday, January 28


2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Teacher performance discussed; President Obama delivers State of the Union

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House Education Reform committee heard about Teacher Performance Assessment, or TPA, yesterday. Created at Stanford University, Board of Teaching Executive Director Karen Balmer, informed committee members the TPA is being piloted in 20 states, and Minnesota is one of six on an accelerated timeline for scaling the process statewide. "We really are leading the nation in this work," Balmer said.

Balmer expects TPA to be embedded in teacher preparation programs statewide by 2012. Assessment data will not be used to isolate teachers who do not do well, she said. Instead, aggregated data will highlight where teacher preparation programs can modify their curriculum or instruction.

Committee Chair Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, said TPA could connect the dots between the state’s academic standards and how teachers are prepared to convey that content. Balmer said TPA is aligned to the standards for licensed teacher practice and could also be a model for teacher evaluation.

Yesterday evening President Obama delivered the State of the Union speech, where he called for freezing spending at current levels. Obama did call for increasing investment in some areas, including education and said, "Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America's success. But if we want to win the future, if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas, then we also have to win the race to educate our kids."

Congressman John Kline, Dist. 2, said about the speech, "I am pleased the President highlighted education reform as one of his priorities. As I did last week when Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and I visited Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lakeville, I am continuing to seek input from principals, teachers, parents, and students on what is working - and what is not working - at the school level and whether federal policies are supporting or hindering the work schools across the country are doing to ensure students are prepared to succeed."

Today at the Capitol

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Panel discussion on innovation and transformation opportunities in government.

This is a follow up discussion on the December 2010 Minnesota Commission on Service Innovation Report. Details on the panel participants will be updated as available.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: S.F. 60-Robling: 2010 legislative-enacted budget reductions extended

8:30 AM
Senate Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: Global competitiveness testimony and presentations

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF173 (Peppin) Sunset Commission created, and sunset and review of state agencies provided.

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Testimony on legislative priorities:
Center for School Change
Joe Nathan, Director
Charter School Partners
Brian Sweeney, Director

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
Department of Administration Overview
Greg Hubinger, Director Legislative Coordinating Commission
Handout - State Employee Salary Settlements
Handout- Comparison of Costs of State Labor Contracts and Compensations Plans
Handout- Executive Branch Represented State Employees
Handout- Administration Department PowerPoint Presentation

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Minnesota State Grant Program Overview from Minnesota Office of Higher Education and follow-up information from Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
S.F. 55-Hann: Charter school authorizer approval deadline modification.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

4:30 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead

Thursday, January 27


Gov. Dayton will travel to Jackson, to "announce details of new jobs and economic development efforts in southwest Minnesota." He’ll be accompanied by GOP legislators Sen. Doug Magnus and Rep. Rod Hamilton, as well as DEED commissioner Mark Phillips.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Getting Prepared Report, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota
HF115 (Barrett) School district January 15 deadline repealed by which a collective bargaining agreement must be reached or face a state aid penalty.
HF92 (Downey) Teacher contract deadline aid penalty repealed.

8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:
State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: University of Minnesota:
Dean of Veterinarian School
Dean of Agriculture School
Dean of Extension
MARL - brief introduction and explanation

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF110 (Kahn) Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement membership increased.
Department of Administration overview:
Acting Commissioner Ryan Church

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Legislative Reports from the Office of Higher Education:
Achieve Scholarship Program
Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP)
Reducing Textbook Costs

12:30 PM
House Education
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF88 (Doepke) Student health personnel set-aside removed.
HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program
Presentation from the University of Minnesota


Friday, January 28

2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Budget reduction bill moves; Senate hears about system; President to give state of union speech tonight

Yesterday at the Capitol
House Ways and Means committee members heard the budget reduction bill yesterday morning that cuts almost $1 billion from the state deficit. The proposal includes a cut of $23 million to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's base each year, and members spoke about how this cut will affect the campuses in their districts. Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL-Crystal, asked about the tuition increases over the years and said we cannot continue to increase tuition and cut faculty and staff. He said during this time of cuts, there have been huge increases in enrollment at the two-year institutions.

The bill exempts the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system from the further $200 million cuts designated to the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget to make, but it does not exempt the Office of Higher Education, which oversees the state grant.

The provision that freezes state workers' salaries was amended into the bill. The bill passed by a vote of 18-13 and was sent to the floor. The Senate will hear the bill Wednesday morning.

Also yesterday, Senate Higher Education committee members heard about the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system from Chancellor Jim McCormick, Board Chair Scott Thiss, President Kevin Kopischke, Alexandria Technical and Community College and President Richard Davenport, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Thiss said that one of the biggest questions legislators face is how will Minnesota best prepare for a return to economic prosperity. Thiss said the colleges and universities play an important role in this with campuses located throughout the state. Each year, the system produces nearly 35,000 graduates, of which eighty percent of them stay in Minnesota to work or continue their education.

Legislators were interested in learning more about the system's open admissions policy at the two-year colleges and how that relates to being prepared for college. Many Senators were interested in learning more about the Getting Prepared report on remedial education recently released. The report can be found here.

Today at the Capitol
President Obama will address the nation tonight in a joint session of Congress when he delivers the State of the Union.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Teacher Performance Assessment Overview
Karen Balmer, Board of Teaching, Executive Director
Dr. Misty Sato, University of Minnesota, College of Education & Human Development, Department of Curriculum & Instruction

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Department Overview:
Jim Schowalter, Commissioner
Lori Mo, Assistant Commissioner, Accounting Services
Kristin Dybdal, Assistant Commissioner, State Budget Director
Judy Plante, Assistant Commissioner, State Human Resources
Nathan Moracco, Director State Employee Insurance (SEGIP)
MMB will also give an overview and answer questions on the recently released "Workforce 2010" report.

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: Board of Animal Health - overview of activities and budget
AURI - overview

10:30 AM
Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview of IRRRB/Introduction of Commissioner Tony Sertich
S.F. 1-Michel: Discussion of SF 1.

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Overview of Private Higher Education in Minnesota:
Minnesota Private College Council
Minnesota Career College Association

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Testimony on legislative priorities
Minnesota School Boards Association: Grace Keliher and Kirk Schneidawind
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation: Laurie Davis

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Investment Grant Program
Presentation by Minnesota Farm Bureau
Presentation by Minnesota Farmers Union
Overview of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
Overview of the NextGen Energy Board

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Testimony on mandate relief
S.F. 56-Thompson: School safe schools levy set aside requirement removal; school district and charter school salary freeze imposition; staff development reserved revenue and school district contract deadline and penalty repeal.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, January 26

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Panel discussion on innovation and transformation opportunities in government.
This is a follow up discussion on the December 2010 Minnesota Commission on Service Innovation Report. Details on the panel participants will be updated as available.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: S.F. 60-Robling: 2010 legislative-enacted budget reductions extended

8:30 AM
Senate Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: Global competitiveness testimony and presentations

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF173 (Peppin) Sunset Commission created, and sunset and review of state agencies provided.

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Testimony on legislative priorities:
Center for School Change
Joe Nathan, Director
Charter School Partners
Brian Sweeney, Director

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
Department of Administration Overview
Greg Hubinger, Director Legislative Coordinating Commission

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Minnesota State Grant Program Overview from Minnesota Office of Higher Education and follow-up information from Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
S.F. 55-Hann: Charter school authorizer approval deadline modification.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

4:30 PM
House in Session

Thursday, January 27
8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: HF115 (Barrett) School district January 15 deadline repealed by which a collective bargaining agreement must be reached or face a state aid penalty.
HF92 (Downey) Teacher contract deadline aid penalty repealed.

8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:
State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: University of Minnesota:
Dean of Veterinarian School
Dean of Agriculture School
Dean of Extension
MARL - brief introduction and explanation

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF110 (Kahn) Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement membership increased.
Department of Administration overview:
Acting Commissioner Ryan Church

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Legislative Reports from the Office of Higher Education:
Achieve Scholarship Program
Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP)
Reducing Textbook Costs

12:30 PM
House Education
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF88 (Doepke) Student health personnel set-aside removed.
HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program
Presentation from the University of Minnesota


Friday, January 28
2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Monday, January 24, 2011

System testifies before Senate today; schedules posted

Today at the Capitol

10:15 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: HF130 (Holberg) Fiscal year 2011 appropriations reduced, policies changed, and appropriation reductions made for fiscal years 2012 and 2013; and tax aid, credits and payment reductions made.
*Amendments Offered:
A1 Amendment
A2 Amendment
A3 Amendment

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Veterans Services Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bruce Anderson
Agenda: Overview of the Department of Veteran Affairs (MDVA) Programs and Services and Veteran Homes.
Commissioner and Former Adjutant General Larry Shellito: Introduction
Deputy Commissioner Gil Acevedo: Veterans Homes
Deputy Commissioner Reggie Worlds: MDVA Programs and Services.
Sherry Kromschroeder the department Finance Director will also be available for budget/finance questions.
Overview of Minnesota County Veterans Services Officers program
Milton Schoen: Hennepin County Veteran Services Officer and Program Legislative Liaison

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: S.F. 40-Olson, G.: Alternative Teacher Licensure.

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, January 25


8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Teacher Performance Assessment Overview
Karen Balmer, Board of Teaching, Executive Director
Dr. Misty Sato, University of Minnesota, College of Education & Human Development, Department of Curriculum & Instruction

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Department Overview:
Jim Schowalter, Commissioner
Lori Mo, Assistant Commissioner, Accounting Services
Kristin Dybdal, Assistant Commissioner, State Budget Director
Judy Plante, Assistant Commissioner, State Human Resources
Nathan Moracco, Director State Employee Insurance (SEGIP)
MMB will also give an overview and answer questions on the recently released "Workforce 2010" report.

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: Board of Animal Health - overview of activities and budget
AURI - overview

10:30 AM
Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: S.F. 1-Michel: Discussion of SF 1.

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Overview of Private Higher Education in Minnesota:
Minnesota Private College Council
Minnesota Career College Association

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Investment Grant Program
Presentation by Minnesota Farm Bureau
Presentation by Minnesota Farmers Union
Overview of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
Overview of the NextGen Energy Board

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Testimony on mandate relief
S.F. 56-Thompson: School safe schools levy set aside requirement removal; school district and charter school salary freeze imposition; staff development reserved revenue and school district contract deadline and penalty repeal.

Wednesday, January 26

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: S.F. 60-Robling: 2010 legislative-enacted budget reductions extended

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF173 (Peppin) Sunset Commission created, and sunset and review of state agencies provided.

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Minnesota State Grant Program Overview from Minnesota Office of Higher Education and follow-up information from Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
S.F. 55-Hann: Charter school authorizer approval deadline modification.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

Thursday, January 27

8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:
State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

10:15 AM
House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: University of Minnesota:
Dean of Veterinarian School
Dean of Agriculture School
Dean of Extension
MARL - brief introduction and explanation

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF110 (Kahn) Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement membership increased.
Department of Administration overview:
Acting Commissioner Ryan Church

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: State Office Building Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Legislative Reports from the Office of Higher Education:
Achieve Scholarship Program
Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP)
Reducing Textbook Costs

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program
Presentation from the University of Minnesota

Friday, January 28

2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Friday, January 21, 2011

Governor selects Hamline Education School Dean to lead Department

St. Paul, MN - Governor Mark Dayton today appointed Dr. Sheila Wright, professor and Dean in the School of Education at Hamline University, as the Director of the Office of Higher Education. Dr. Wright has dedicated her career in education to addressing the crucial issues of teacher quality and the achievement gap, working in P-12 and higher education, as well as in state government and non-profit organizations. She is widely respected as an innovator in the areas of faculty governance, assessment, general education, tenure, diversity, and community partnerships.

Prior to joining the faculty at Hamline, Dr. Wright served as associate dean of academic programs and a tenured faculty member in the School of Education at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. She has also taught at Carleton College in Northfield and at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education provides students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to post-secondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on post-secondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends. It administers up to $150 million dollars in need-based grants to Minnesota residents attending eligible institutions in Minnesota. Dr. Wright replaces Acting Director Barbara S. Schlaefer and her term runs till Jan 5, 2015.

“I am delighted that Dr. Wright has agreed to join our administration,” said Governor Dayton. “Her nationally recognized leadership in education will help guide our administration’s efforts to restore Minnesota to its former position of national leadership in making higher education more accessible, more affordable, and more responsive to the needs of Minnesota’s college students.”

“This is a tremendous honor and privilege,” said Dr. Wright. “I share Governor Dayton’s strong commitment to education. I believe that giving our residents the best and most affordable higher education is the best way to ensure future prosperity and economic success for our entire state, and look forward to working with the Governor to find new and better ways to make that happen.”

Dr. Wright previously served as an adjunct at North Carolina State University, Saint Augustine’s College, and Coastal Carolina Community College. Prior to her work in higher education, she began her career in visual arts as a teacher for Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina, and worked in leadership roles at the state level both in North Carolina and Alabama. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earned her MAE from the Rhode Island School of Design, and her PhD in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State University.

State of State speech Feb. 9; House Higher Education Committee discsusses cuts

Yesterday at the Capitol
Gov. Dayton announced yesterday that he will give his State of the State speech in the House chambers on Wednesday Feb. 9 at noon.

After House Higher Education committee members heard from President Bob Bruininks about the University of Minnesota yesterday, Chair Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, quickly moved HF 126, the higher education budget reduction bill that makes permanent last year's unallotments of $50 million to both the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota. Due to lack of time, the committee recessed until later in the evening, when they came back to discuss the bill.

Laura King, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system addressed the $23 million cut to the system's base each year, and told committee members that with each cut to the system, the execution of mission becomes harder. There was much discussion regarding the cut's impact on the campuses, and Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, moved to lay the bill on the table until they had a better sense of the impact. That motion did not pass. Fiscal Analyst Doug Berg said the cut is a 7.2% reduction to the system base, and a 6.9% reduction to the University of Minnesota's base. The bill passed by a vote of 8-7 and heads next to the Ways and Means Committee Monday morning.

Today at the Capitol
There are no higher education related committee hearings today. At 10:30 a.m. legislative leadership will be holding their weekly media availability to discuss the week and look ahead to next week.

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 24

10:15 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: HF130 (Holberg) Fiscal year 2011 appropriations reduced, policies changed, and appropriation reductions made for fiscal years 2012 and 2013; and tax aid, credits and payment reductions made.

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: S.F. 40-Olson, G.: Alternative Teacher Licensure.

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, January 25
10:30 AM
Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: S.F. 1-Michel: Discussion of SF 1.

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Investment Grant Program
Presentation by Minnesota Farm Bureau
Presentation by Minnesota Farmers Union
Overview of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
Overview of the NextGen Energy Board

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Testimony on mandate relief
S.F. 56-Thompson: School safe schools levy set aside requirement removal; school district and charter school salary freeze imposition; staff development reserved revenue and school district contract deadline and penalty repeal.

Wednesday, January 26
8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: S.F. 60-Robling: 2010 legislative-enacted budget reductions extended

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
S.F. 55-Hann: Charter school authorizer approval deadline modification.
S.F. 69-Olson, G.: Home schools mandates and reporting requirements reduction.

Thursday, January 27
8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:
State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
Summary of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program
Presentation from the University of Minnesota

Friday, January 28
2:00 PM
Joint Meeting: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: Hibbing Community College
Chairs: Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Discussion on environmental permitting/jobs and economic growth

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Phillips named as DEED commissioner, House capital budget committee meets, Senate hears from U of MN

Yesterday at the Capitol

Gov. Dayton named northern Minnesota developer Mark Phillips as his new commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. At yesterday's press conference, Dayton said he wanted to underscore his commitment to new jobs. Phillips, who works for Kraus-Anderson Construction, said he shares Dayton's strategy to engage the business community and make use of all the available tools in state government.

House Capital Investment committee members met yesterday for the first time this session and reviewed the capital budget process. Gay Greiter, Budget Coordinator with Minnesota Management and Budget, indicated in her testimony that an off-year bonding bill has typically been for "emergencies," and the governor is not required to submit a capital budget recommendation, but said he has indicated he plans to do so this year. Chair Howes said that if a project is in your community or region, it's probably an emergency.

Also meeting yesterday was the Senate Higher Education committee, where members heard from President Bob Bruininks with the University of Minnesota. Bruininks provided committee members with a general overview of the University, and emphasized their commitment to research and innovation, as well as their commitment to student financial support through the Promise for Tomorrow scholarship, a need based scholarship program for Minnesota students that supports 13,000 low to moderate income families. One of the main themes in President Bruininks testimony was funding of higher education. He said that higher education is going to have to be a priority of lawmakers if we want to grow the economy and get through this tough patch. He did indicate that it's going to take creative financing strategies. Sen. Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato, said she would like to see a statewide dialog focused on changes in the way the state pays for higher education. Bruininks said the state needs to do what it can to preserve the entire Minnesota education system, including K-12.

Today at the Capitol

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Increasing Educational Acheivement, Emphasizing and Supporting Teacher Effectiveness
Peter Hutchinson, Bush Foundation, President
Susan Heegaard, Bush Foundation, Vice President, Educational Achievement

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF127 (McNamara) State employee salary and wage freeze instituted.
HF125 (Gunther) Executive and legislative branch agency appropriation reductions made

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Continuation of budget overview presentation by Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Staff

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: SFXXX Federal conformity bill related to income tax treatment of dependent health care coverage for adult children 26 and under.
Overview on Tax Aids and Credits

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Election
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: Presentation of state labor negotiating process and contracts
Barb Holmes, assistant commissioner and state labor negotiator for Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)
Greg Hubinger, director of Legislative Coordinating Commission

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: University of Minnesota overview
HF126 (Nornes): Makes appropriation adjustments to higher education.

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Testimony on legislative priorities:
Association of Metropolitan School Districts
Minnesota's Future Initiative

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda: Updates and trends in Minnesota Livestock Industries
Summary of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Investment Grant Program

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead
Monday, January 24

10:15 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: HF130 (Holberg) Fiscal year 2011 appropriations reduced, policies changed, and appropriation reductions made for fiscal years 2012 and 2013; and tax aid, credits and payment reductions made.

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Wednesday, January 26

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: S.F. 60-Robling: 2010 legislative-enacted budget reductions extended

Thursday, January 27

8:30 AM
Joint Senate Meeting: Committee on Finance; Committee on Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Claire A. Robling, Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda:
State Demographics, Presenter - Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer
Tax Expenditure Reports, Presenter - Dr. Paul Wilson, Research Director, MN Dept of Revenue

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Budget proposals put forward by Republican leaders, Governor disagrees

Yesterday at the Capitol

Republican legislative leadership announced an early action budget bill yesterday morning that proposes $1 billion in cuts. House Ways and Means Chair, Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, said this is phase one of the budget adjustment. Leadership plans to pass legislation prior to Feb. 10 in order for the deficit to be reduced in the Feburary forecast. Holberg indicated the bill will be passed out of Ways and Means by early next week.

Senate Finance Chair Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan, said SF 60 enacts the reductions made in last year's budget balancing bill, and said this is the first step in the budget process. The bill would make more than $840 million in one-time spending cuts permanent. These include $584 million in cuts to tax aids and credits; $185 million to higher education; and $72 million to various health and human services programs. She said the bill also asks for Minnesota Management and Budget to identify $200 million in savings that could be achieved by capturing unspent funds in agencies’ budgets.

For the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the reduction in the bill to the system's FY2011 budget is $50 million, which makes Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment permanent. This brings the current annual state funding level of $605.5 million (which is slightly below the FY 2002 funding level) to $582 million. The House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee will be taking up the higher education appropriation reduction bill, HF 126, Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

When asked if leadership discussed the plan with the governor, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said they did inform Gov. Dayton last week about the budget plan. However, in response to the bill, Dayton released the following statement, "I will not agree to piecemeal cuts and partial solutions eliminating the $6.2 billion deficit in the next biennium. I will propose a reasonable, balanced and complete budget solution on February 15th, and I ask the legislature to do the same thereafter, with citizen participation through hearings and very careful consideration of the effects of their decisions on people’s lives."

Today at the Capitol
Wednesday, January 19

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Overview of State Labor Negotiating Process and Contracts
Testifying:
Greg Hubinger, Director of Legislative Coordinating Commission
Barb Holmes, Assistant Commissioner & State Labor Negotiator for Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)

10:00 AM
House Republican Press Conference
Agenda: Representative Keith Downey (R-Edina) presents his proposal to restructure the state workforce, including an early retirement option

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
*Note: Change in Agenda
Agenda: HF4 (Downey) State workforce reduction required, and early retirement program created.
HF52 (Peppin) City, county, and town zoning control and ordinance variances provided.
Presentation from the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview from MN Department of Labor/Introduction of Commissioner Ken Peterson
S.F. 1-Michel: Introduction and discussion of property tax provision of SF 1.

2:30 PM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: Introductions
Committee guidelines
Gay Grieter, Capital Budget Coordinator for Minnesota Management & Budget
Meeting Documents: Capital Budget Process

Minnesota Debt Management


3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Teach for America - Testimony by Daniel Sellers, Executive Director of Teach For America, Twin Cities

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from the University of Minnesota

Looking Ahead

Thursday, January 20

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Increasing Educational Acheivement, Emphasizing and Supporting Teacher Effectiveness
Peter Hutchinson, Bush Foundation, President
Susan Heegaard, Bush Foundation, Vice President, Educational Achievement

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF127 (McNamara) State employee salary and wage freeze instituted.
HF125 (Gunther) Executive and legislative branch agency appropriation reductions made

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Continuation of budget overview presentation by Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Staff

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: SFXXX Federal conformity bill related to income tax treatment of dependent health care coverage for adult children 26 and under.
Overview on Tax Aids and Credits

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Election
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: Presentation of state labor negotiating process and contracts
Barb Holmes, assistant commissioner and state labor negotiator for Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)
Greg Hubinger, director of Legislative Coordinating Commission

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: University of Minnesota overview
HFXXXX (Nornes): Makes appropriation adjustments to higher education.

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda: Updates and trends in Minnesota Livestock Industries
Summary of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Investment Grant Program

Monday, January 24

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

Lawmakers did not meet yesterday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Today at the Capitol

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: HF3 (Mariani) Alternative teacher preparation program and limited term teacher license established.
HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Public Sector Pension Informational Overview and Update:
Testifying:
Lawrence Martin, Executive Director of Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement;
Edward Burek, Deputy Director of Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; Mary Vanek, Executive Director of Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA); Dave Bergstrom, Executive Director of Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS); Laurie Hacking, Executive Director of Teachers Retirement Association (TRA); and Howard Bicker, Executive Director of Minnesota State Board of Investment

10:15 AM
House Taxes
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: HF79 - Conforming to the federal extension of the exclusion of dependent health care coverage to adult children through age 26 for tax year 2010
HFXXXX (Mahoney) Establishing a Minnesota science and technology program

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: Public Sector Pension Informational Overview and Update:
Testifying:
Lawrence Martin, Executive Director of Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement;
Edward Burek, Deputy Director of Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement;
Mary Vanek, Executive Director of Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA);
Dave Bergstrom, Executive Director of Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS);
Laurie Hacking, Executive Director of Teachers Retirement Association (TRA); and
Howard Bicker, Executive Director of Minnesota State Board of Investment

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota Office of Higher Education overview

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Teacher Licensure
Presentation by Katie Balmer, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching
John Melick, Director Educator Licensing Division of the Minnesota Dept. of Education
Public testimony about the teacher licensing process - as available

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, January 19

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Overview of State Labor Negotiating Process and Contracts
Testifying:
Greg Hubinger, Director of Legislative Coordinating Commission
Barb Holmes, Assistant Commissioner & State Labor Negotiator for Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview from MN Department of Labor/Introduction of Commissioner Ken Peterson
S.F. 1-Michel: Introduction and discussion of property tax provision of SF 1.

2:30 PM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: Introductions
Committee guidelines
Gay Grieter, Capital Budget Coordinator for Minnesota Management & Budget
Meeting Documents: Capital Budget Process

Minnesota Debt Management


3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Teach for America - Testimony by Daniel Sellers, Executive Director of Teach For America, Twin Cities

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from the University of Minnesota

Thursday, January 20

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Increasing Educational Acheivement, Emphasizing and Supporting Teacher Effectiveness
Peter Hutchinson, Bush Foundation, President
Susan Heegaard, Bush Foundation, Vice President, Educational Achievement

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Continuation of budget overview presentation by Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Staff

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: SFXXX Federal conformity bill related to income tax treatment of dependent health care coverage for adult children 26 and under.
Overview on Tax Aids and Credits

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: University of Minnesota overview

Monday, January 24

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Friday, January 14, 2011

House hears system overview; no meetings today or Monday

House Higher Education committee members, both new and veteran members, received an overview from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system yesterday. Chancellor Jim McCormick told committee members that the system is the largest provider of higher education in Minnesota, educating 63 percent of all Minnesota undergraduate students, and the 32 colleges and universities provide an immeasurable benefit to the people of Minnesota, contributing greatly to the quality of life and economic vitality of the state.

Board of Trustees Chair Scott Thiss explained to members the Board's strategic plan and how it has provided guidance to the colleges and universities. Thiss gave an example of how the system's colleges and universities continue to innovate and told members that Northland Community and Technical College is helping to create a new industry by training technicians who can be certified in unmanned aviation maintenance. This is just one of the many examples on the college and university campuses.

President Kevin Kopischke, Alexandria Technical College and President Edna Szymanski, Minnesota State University Moorhead gave committee members a brief introduction to each college and university in the system and provided an example of how each institution plays a critical role in building the local and regional economies.

Today at the Capitol

There are no committee hearings or floor sessions scheduled for today. However at 10:30 a.m. legislative leadership will be holding a press availability.

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 17

Offices are closed due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Tuesday, January 18

10:15 AM
House Taxes
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: HFXXXX - Conforming to the federal extension of the exclusion of dependent health care coverage to adult children through age 26 for tax year 2010

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Teacher Licensure
A presentation by Katie Balmer, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Wednesday, January 19

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview from MN Department of Labor/Introduction of Commissioner Ken Peterson
S.F. 1-Michel: Introduction and discussion of property tax provision of SF 1.

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Teach for America - Testimony by Daniel Sellers, Executive Director of Teach For America, Twin Cities

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from the University of Minnesota

Thursday, January 20

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Continuation of budget overview presentation by Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Staff

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: SFXXX Federal conformity bill related to income tax treatment of dependent health care coverage for adult children 26 and under.
Overview on Tax Aids and Credits

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Governor's budget will be released next month; System presentation today

Yesterday at the Capitol

Lawmakers did not hold meetings at the State Capitol yesterday, but rather spent the day at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute for the "One Minnesota" event.

Gov. Mark Dayton's spokesperson Andrea Mokros said yesterday that Dayton will release his budget plan Feb. 15, which is the deadline in state law. Meanwhile, Dayton continues to build his cabinet, appointing retired Major General Larry Shellito, who recently retired as the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, to lead the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Shellito has a close tie to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system as a past president of Alexandria Technical College.

Today at the Capitol

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will be presenting an overview on the system today at 12:30 p.m. in the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee. Presenting will be Board of Trustees Chair Scott Thiss, Chancellor James McCormick, President Edna Szymanski of Minnesota State University Moorhead and President Kevin Kopischke of Alexandria Technical College.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
HF3 (Mariani) Alternative teacher preparation program and limited term teacher license established.
Presentation of "WANTED: Prepared Workforce NEEDED: Education Reforms"
Cecilia Retelle, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) overview of specific programs:
SWIFT new accounting system update: Assistant Commissioner Lori Mo- Accounting Services; Jim Manion- SWIFT Project Coordinator
New Budget Information System (BIS) update:
Assistant Commissioner Kristin Dybdal - State Budget Director
Michelle Weber- Executive Budget Coordinator, MMB
Internal Controls: Jeanine Kuwik- Internal Control and Accountability Director
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board overview - Gary Goldsmith, executive director

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead
Tuesday, January 18

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Teacher Licensure
A presentation by Katie Balmer, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Wednesday, January 19

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Teach for America - Testimony by Daniel Sellers, Executive Director of Teach For America, Twin Cities

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from the University of Minnesota

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Session priorities set- jobs and budget; Senate higher education committee meets

Yesterday at the Capitol
Lawmakers revealed the first bills for the 2011-12 biennium yesterday. The Senate explained SF 1, a job creation bill that provides businesses with regulatory relief and $200 million in tax cuts. Author of the bill, Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said, "We want to make Minnesota the best place to start a business and expand a business." The bill would phase in a 50 percent reduction of the business income tax rate, and gradually drop over the next six years. Business property taxes would be rolled back to 2009 levels. The estimated cost for both tax breaks is $200 million over the biennium. Michel said senators plan to roll up their sleeves and work with the bill through the committee process.

The House unveiled HF2 yesterday afternoon. Rep. King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, who is sponsoring the bill, explained that it's about priority based budgeting, and establishes a "sunset review" every 10 years to determine whether agencies should be abolished or reorganized. He said the goal is to examine how the state can best deliver its services rather than just growing agencies’ budgets. Banaian said that by the end of 10 years, the Legislature and the Office of the Legislative Auditor will have looked at every regulation within state government. He said, "It's what we owe to the people of Minnesota." For a complete listing of the newly introduced bills, please see the attached.

The Senate Higher Education committee met yesterday and after committee members introduced themselves, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, or MOHE, gave an overview of the office and services they provide. Mark Misukanis with MOHE said that the office serves students in a variety of ways. He explained that 93 percent of the office's budget is for financial aid. Apart from financial aid, MOHE provides other services including; consumer protection, college access and data and analysis.

The committee is scheduled to meet next Wednesday, Jan. 19 to hear from the University of Minnesota, followed by a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system overview on Monday, Jan. 24.

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

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Member and staff introductions
Helen Roberts, Fiscal Analyst: overview of the jurisdiction of the State Government Finance committee Mark Shepard, House Research: overview of mandated reports within jurisdiction of committee

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Overview of teacher licensure system and new assessment
Karen Balmer, Board of Teaching, Executive Director
John Melick, Minnesota Department of Education, Educator Licensing Director

10:15 AM
House Taxes Committee
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: Introductions
Committee priorities
Background on Minnesota tax system

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF2 (Banaian) State budget priority-based process created, sunset process established for state agencies, and money appropriated.
Office of Administrative Hearings presentation on state rulemaking
House Research Intro to government operations
HF52 (Peppin) City, county, and town zoning control and ordinance variances provided

10:30 AM
Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview of Minnesota economy from the Itasca Project

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room - State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Introductions
Committee Procedures
Overview of Jurisdiction and Accounts

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Minnesota school finance overview from Legislative Analyst Tim Strom and Fiscal Analyst Greg Crowe

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: Member and staff introductions.
Agency and budget overviews by nonpartisan staff.

1:00 PM
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda: Introductions/Overview from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Committee introductions
A presentation by Cecilia Retelle of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce entitled "Wanted: Prepared Workforce; Needed: Education Reforms"

Looking Ahead
Wednesday, January 12

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews
All-day legislative conference

Thursday, January 13

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
Presentation of "WANTED: Prepared Workforce NEEDED: Education Reforms"
Cecilia Retelle, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

New members learn about higher education, schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

With many new members on the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee, members received an overview yesterday on higher education. Legislative Analyst Kathy Novak explained to members the two public systems; the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. She provided information on private postsecondary education and said Minnesota has approximately 180 private postsecondary institutions with a physical presence in the state, offering undergraduate education that range from very small (under ten students) to large (over 10,000 students). Members also heard about the state grant program and how money is appropriated through the state.

The committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow, Thursday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. to hear an overview from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Also yesterday, the House Education Reform committee met and heard from Board of Teaching Executive Director Karen Balmer about a redesign in the works of how Minnesota evaluates teacher preparation programs, which could shed light on the link between teacher preparation and student outcome. Committee Chair Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, and committee members have said that improving teacher effectiveness is a priority this session.

Balmer said the new initiative, Program Effectiveness Reports for Continuing Approval (PERCA), will soon be field-tested and should launch in about a year. It will use more data collection and performance measurement to assess the performance of first-year teachers who graduated from certain four-year education programs. Teachers’ results would be compared with their teacher training program to measure the program’s effectiveness.

Today at the Capitol

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews
All-day legislative conference

Looking Ahead
Thursday, January 13

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
HF3 (Mariani) Alternative teacher preparation program and limited term teacher license established.
Presentation of "WANTED: Prepared Workforce NEEDED: Education Reforms"
Cecilia Retelle, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) overview of specific programs:
SWIFT new accounting system update: Assistant Commissioner Lori Mo- Accounting Services; Jim Manion- SWIFT Project Coordinator
New Budget Information System (BIS) update:
Assistant Commissioner Kristin Dybdal - State Budget Director
Michelle Weber- Executive Budget Coordinator, MMB
Internal Controls: Jeanine Kuwik- Internal Control and Accountability Director
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board overview - Gary Goldsmith, executive director

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

Monday, January 10, 2011

Upcoming legislative schedules posted

Today at the Capitol
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

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Veterans Services Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bruce Anderson
Agenda: Introductions of committee and staff
Jim Cleary, House Research, committee overview
Military affairs presentation, Brigadier General Joe Kelly, the assistant adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard and the deputy commissioner for the Department of Military Affairs

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget Overview

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

3:00 PM (televised live)
House in Session

4:30 PM or Immediately following Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Matt Dean
Agenda: Welcome & introductions
HR policies, staff, miscellaneous personnel reports
House policies and resolutions

Looking Ahead
Tuesday, January 11

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

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Member and staff introductions
Helen Roberts, Fiscal Analyst: overview of the jurisdiction of the State Government Finance committee Mark Shepard, House Research: overview of mandated reports within jurisdiction of committee

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Overview of teacher licensure system and new assessment
Karen Balmer, Board of Teaching, Executive Director
John Melick, Minnesota Department of Education, Educator Licensing Director

10:15 AM
House Taxes Committee
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: Introductions
Committee priorities
Background on Minnesota tax system

10:30 AM
Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: TBA

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room - State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Introductions
Committee Procedures
Overview of Jurisdiction and Accounts

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Minnesota school finance overview from Legislative Analyst Tim Strom and Fiscal Analyst Greg Crowe

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: Member and staff introductions.
Agency and budget overviews by nonpartisan staff.

1:00 PM
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda: Introductions/Overview from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Committee introductions
A presentation by Cecilia Retelle of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce entitled "Wanted: Prepared Workforce; Needed: Education Reforms"

Wednesday, January 12

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews
All-day legislative conference
Thursday, January 13

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

Friday, January 7, 2011

Education reform committee talks teachers; no meetings today

Yesterday at the Capitol
The House Education Reform committee met yesterday and members discussed committee priorities for the 2011 session, which include teacher training, licensure and evaluation.

Chair Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, offered the model of a three-legged stool to describe her approach to the committee’s work. "Absolutely, students are first," she said. The other two legs are supporting teachers and empowering parents.

Erickson said committee members should think about what will improve teaching, what will raise the standard or the caliber of teachers in the classroom. Lawmakers also seek to draw the best and brightest teachers into the profession. "My focus is how to make the job of teaching more attractive," said Rep. John Benson, DFL-Minnetonka. Politics in Minnesota is reporting that an alternative teacher licensure bill could be introduced as early as next week.

Today at the Capitol
There are no committee hearings scheduled for today, because the YMCA’s Youth in Government program is spending the day at the Capitol.

Republican legislative leadership will hold its first weekly media availability today at 10:30 a.m. in Room 125.

Televised on the Minnesota channel at 8:30 a.m. is House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, discussing his new role in the Minnesota House of Representatives, followed by House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, at 9:00 a.m.

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

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget Overview

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

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, January 11
8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

Wednesday, January 12
8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

Thursday, January 13
12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

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

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Session began yesterday; leadership confirmed; today's schedule posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

The 87th legislative session got underway yesterday afternoon. Following the swearing-in ceremony in the House, Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, was elected Speaker of the House on a partisan vote of 72-61. In his acceptance speech, Zellers said to his fellow House members, "Our job now is to govern." Zellers also called on business people, teachers and others to bring their ideas and solutions to the Capitol to help balance the budget. He said the old ways of doing things are no longer going to work. "We have a daunting task ahead of us," Zellers said, and asked his fellow legislators to start working on the issues they agree on first.

Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, offered an amendment to the permanent rules that states no constitutional amendment will be considered by the Legislature until the budget is balanced. Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, moved that the amendment be moved to the Rules committee, which was adopted.

The Senate also met yesterday and elected Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, as President of the Senate by a vote of 62-5. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1, which names a majority leader and minority leader; Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, will serve as Majority Leader and Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, will serve as Minority Leader. The Senate also elected Cal Ludeman as Secretary of the Senate.

Before adjourning, Koch addressed the body and thanked many for assistance with the transition. She said the most important lesson Republicans learned over the last 38 years is how to treat members of the minority party. Over the course of the session, Koch said there will be differences between Republicans and Democrats, but there will also be agreements, and she acknowledged there will be long days and hard work ahead of them.

The House is scheduled to reconvene Monday, January 10 at 3:00 p.m. The Senate is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, January 11 at 11:00 AM.

Today at the Capitol

The 112th Congress will convene today at 12:00 p.m. Also today, Gov. Dayton is expected to appoint two new commissioners for the Departments of Revenue and Commerce.

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda:
Committee Introduction
Testimony/Overview from Grow Minnesota

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: Introductions
Committee motto and mission
Overview of committee operating procedures

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
Introductions
Committee Jurisdiction Overview
Peter Hutchinson Presentation

Looking Ahead
Monday, January 10
8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

3:00 PM
House in Session

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