STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTIETH MEETING
MN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY FIRST SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair of the Education Finance Division, called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm on April 1, 2019 in The Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DAVNIE, Jim
SANDSTEDE, Julie
KRESHA, Ron
DANIELS, Brian
DEMUTH, Lisa
DETTMER, Bob
EDELSON, Heather
ERICKSON, Sondra
HUOT, John
JURGENS, Tony
KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, Carlie
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
MARQUART, Paul
MURPHY, Mary
NORNES, Bud
PRYOR, Laurie
RICHARDSON, Ruth
SANDELL, Steve
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
Excused:
BENNETT, Peggy
A quorum was present.
Chair Davnie moved that the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Report for HF 2610 be adopted by the committee.
Rep. Kresha requested rules clarification on an ‘aye’ vote to adopt a division report.
Rep. Pinto presented the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Report for HF 2610 as an informational walk-through.
Director of House Research, Patrick McCormack, clarified the outcome of an ‘aye’ vote to adopt a division report.
Chair Davnie renewed the motion that the Division Report for HF 2610 be adopted by the committee. Motion prevailed.
HF 2400 (Davnie) Increases the general education basic formula allowance by 3 percent in the first year and by another 2 percent in the second year of the biennium. Makes permanent the funding for the school readiness plus program at the fiscal year 2019 levels. Simplifies the local optional revenue calculations. Removes the need for board-approved referendum authority to be included in a district’s referendum ballot question. Authorizes future operating referendums to be renewed by school board action, subject to a reverse referendum.
Chair Davnie presented the DE1 amendment to HF 2400 as an informational walk-through.
Chair Davnie presented the H2400A3 amendment as an informational walk-through.
Rep. Edelson moved that the minutes from March 28, 2019 be approved. Motion prevailed.
Testifiers:
Roger Aronson, Legislative Liaison, Elementary and Secondary Principal Associations
Scott Croonquist, Executive Director, Association of Metropolitan School Districts
Dr. Sally Baas, Director, Southeast Asian Teacher Program, Concordia University
Najma Abdille, Augsburg University
Karen Wolters, Literacy Action Network
Gary Amoroso, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Denise Dittrich, Legislative Liaison, Minnesota School Board Association
Josh Downham, Legislative Liaison, Minneapolis Public Schools
Brad Lundell, Legislative Liaison, Equity in Education
Additional Testifiers:
Mary Dougherty, Saint Paul Public Schools
Jim Bartholomew, Minnesota Business Partnership
Rick Heller, Unofficial Advocate, Twice Exceptional
The meeting was of the Education Finance Division was adjourned at 2:29 pm.
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Representative Jim Davnie, Chair
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Brittney Sunderland, Committee Legislative Assistant