2015 Session the Big Picture

Transcription

1 2015 Legislative Session Review 2015 Session the Big Picture Election brings divided government DFL Senate Long term Senator as Majority Leader (8 years in House, 10 years in Senate GOP House Newly elected Speaker just beginning third term DFL Governor who is not seeking re-election Reason for optimism there s a budget surplus! 1

2 2015 Session the Big Picture Legislature sent 80 bills to Governor during the regular session. He signed 77 into law and vetoed three, all budget bills. During special session, legislature sent Governor six bills which he signed. Fewest total of bills passed in a session in state history. 169 bills sent to Governor in bills introduced in House 2015, 1543 bills introduced in House bills introduced in Senate 2015,1304 bills introduced in Senate Session the Big Picture Legislature must adopt state budget $1.9 billion budget surplus Priorities differ among the three bodies House Senate Governor E12 $157 mil $361 mil $694 mil Taxes $2.2 bil $459 mil $137 mil HHS -$1.1 bil $341 mil $341 mil Res $100 mil $250 mil $0 Unspent $314 mil $13.5 mil $8.4 mil 2

3 So what did happen? Disappointing budget targets. A lot of political maneuvering and E12 was caught in the middle - $1 billion more rhetoric, taking sides on Pre-K issue. No one predicted that in a time of surplus, there would be a special session. Governor vetoes the E12 bill. Major concerns were: Overall funding level, times of surplus should be investing more, wanted $650 million Did not include other funding priorities including universal PreK, ELL, special education, BIA schools, school breakfast So what did happen? Budget negotiations began just after Memorial Day, went on for weeks. Policy issues offered by House Republicans -LIFO and transgender bathroom stalled negotiations. Governor moves from UPK, accepts House offer of $525 million. Final agreement reached to increase target to $525 million with additional money for early learning scholarships, ELL, funding for Indian education, compensatory pilot projects. 3

4 Proposal #1 - Provide adequate funding Increase basic formula at rate of inflation 2% per pupil formula increase Authorize school boards to extend existing referendum No movement, received a lot of push back on this during legislative meetings held with individual legislators Provide funding to implement staff evaluation systems Qcomp cap raised Fully fund College in Schools program $4 million appropriated Proposal #2 Support local control and reduce unfunded Mandates Learning and development report repealed Compensatory funding - Allows school board of district not in compensatory pilot project to reallocate up to 50% of compensatory revenue among buildings based on a local plan Ongoing challenge legislators like mandates Labor Day Flexible learning year Classroom placement Testing limitations Election requirements 4

5 Proposal # 3 Facilities Funding E12 bill included a modified version of School Facilities. Funding Working Group Recommendation, beginning in FY MASBO members testified in support of proposals as it was heard in Senate. No House hearings held. Proposal #4 Health Insurance Transparency Act MASBO members provided testimony in House State Government Finance Committee and House E12 Education Finance Committee. Small provision included in House State Government Finance Bill stating that school employees and their employers insured through PEIP are subject to the HITA requirements. Did not pass. Tough environment to move forward significant changes. 5

6 MASBO s Impact Platform provides information and helps guide decisions at the capitol. Legislators continue to value and rely on MASBO. MASBO had many meetings with key committee members. Lobby Day important to process. MASBO influenced the process by providing testimony and feedback as bills moved forward. Grassroots worked! What next? Send a thank you note to your legislators. Use the interim to get to know your legislators better. Use the interim to have your legislators get to know your district better. 6

7 Thank You! Valerie Dosland Ewald Consulting