STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTIETH 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 4:35 pm on Thursday, February 18, 2010 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
Mariani
Nornes
Peterson
Ward
A quorum was present.
Representative Greiling moved that the minutes from Tuesday, February 16, 2010 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Overview of Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010-11 Supplemental Budget Recommendations by Minnesota Department of Human Services:
Chuck Johnson, Assistant Commissioner for Children and Families
Mr. Johnson was asked a series of questions, with additional information provided by Cherie Kotilinek, Manager, Child Care Assistance Program, Minnesota Department of Human Services:
Regarding budget suggestion - Count SSI Income for MFIP and CCAP:
Did SSI income used to be counted for MFIP and CCAP? How many families would have higher co-pays with the proposed cuts? How many providers would be affected by the proposed cuts? The last time this change was made what percentage of families receiving assistance lost their childcare? The last time this change was made how many small business providers went out of business as a result?
Regarding budget suggestion – Reduce Funding for BSF:
Does the BSF underspending go to the largest county waiting lists first? What county has the largest waiting list? Has anything been learned about reducing the waiting list of those who are not eligible? What is the timeframe from when assistance is requested to when receive aid? Do families drop off the list because children grow out of assistance ages or because parent(s) lose their job(s)?
Regarding budget suggestion – Reduce Max CCAP Rates:
What is the market rate? What is the total number of families on waiting lists in the state? Why is there an inability to match underspending with families on the waiting lists? Is the inability to match underspending with families a county difficulty?
Regarding budget suggestion – TANF Refinancing to General Fund:
Will TANF refinancing hurt maintenance of effort requirements? What philosophy did the department follow in proposing these cuts? If the federal $383 million does not arrive will DHS face more cuts? Mr. Johnson, have you been approached about further cuts?
Overview of Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010-11 Supplemental Budget Recommendations by Minnesota Department of Education:
Karen Klinzing, Assistant Commissioner
Ms. Klinzing was asked a series of questions: Will the kindergarten entrance assessment be carried out to the fullest degree? Will training on assessments be affected by the proposed cuts?
Public Testimony on the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010-11 Supplemental Budget Recommendations:
Susie Brown, Executive Director, Child Care WORKS
Alexis Mann, Parent, Downtown Minneapolis YWCA
Miranda Oliver, Board Chair, Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association
Chad Dunkley, President, Minnesota Child Care Association, and COO, New Horizon Academy
Sharna Braucks, Child Care Director, YMCA of Saint Paul
Stephanie Thomas, Child Care Director, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
Ms. Braucks and Ms. Thomas were asked the question: What circumstances would need to result for a family’s removal from YMCA child care assistance?
Public testimony continued:
Melinda Hugdahl, Staff Attorney, Legal Services Advocacy Project
Ms. Hugdahl was asked a couple of questions: How many families are going to be affected by these cuts?
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant