STATE OF MINNESOTA ELEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 4:34 pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
House Members Present:
Slawik (Chair)
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Bly
Buesgens
Downey
Greiling
Hamilton
Jackson
Laine
Mack
Nornes
Peterson
Ward
House Members Excused:
Mariani
A quorum was not present.
Presentation on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 from Minnesota Department of Education:
Lisa Mueller, Program Finance, Minnesota Department of Education
Michelle Weber, Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Education
A quorum was present at 4:40 pm.
Ms. Mueller and Ms. Weber were asked a series of questions that focused on how the federal stimulus package would affect the Governor’s budget recommendations; if the Governor was going to be applying for all federal incentive grants; how Title 1 would affect early childhood; how special education funds are divided up; how Head Start enrollment would be reduced given a reduction of federal funds; how does the state compete for federal Head Start expansion funds; what types of prioritization the federal stimulus requires, technical questions regarding fiscal numbers and if federal stimulus funds could be used to pay down the Basic Sliding Fee waiting list.
Representative Mack moved that the minutes from Tuesday, February 17, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation from Minnesota Department of Human Services on the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF):
Cherie Kotilinek, Manager, Child Care Assistance Program, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Deb Swenson-Klatt, Manager, Early Childhood Development, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Ms. Kotilinek and Ms. Swenson-Klatt were asked a series of questions focusing on if the state has ever had unspent money as a result of the way it is divided amongst different early childhood programs; if that division of money would prevent receiving federal stimulus funding; how did the system to divide early childhood money develop; will there be enough money to meet the state’s maintenance of effort requirements; and does CCAP reimbursement allow for quality access statewide.
Presentation on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 from Minnesota Department of Human Services
Chuck Johnson, Assistant Commissioner for Children and Families, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mr. Johnson was asked questions asking how the Governor’s supplemental budget would affect his proposed cuts to childcare; how the federal $26.1 million would compare to the Governor’s cuts; and will the federal stimulus money require a restoration of cut funding to childcare.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant