Dear Neighbor,
Your input is valuable to me, and I'd like to hear from you about important issues being debated at the Capitol. You can take my survey by clicking the link below. Also, don't forget to share it with your family and friends in District 29B!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Oneill2015
Education Reform Bill Passes House
On Thursday, the House passed HF 2, a student-focused education reform bill that works to attract great educators to Minnesota, keep effective teachers in the classroom and ensure every child has access to a world class education.
House File 2 makes several important changes to our education system in Minnesota including:
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Reforming the seniority-only policy currently in state law for teacher layoffs, requiring merit and teacher evaluations to also be factored into locally negotiated plans between school districts and teachers
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Limiting placement of students with ineffective teachers for consecutive years
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Increasing access to quality teachers through out-of-state license recognition, encouraging the Board of Teaching to set up regional reciprocity and by streamlining alternative pathways to teach in Minnesota
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Empowering school districts to tap community experts for technical and career classes, expanding academic opportunities for students
We have so many wonderful educators in Minnesota, and HF 2 is about continuing our state's long standing tradition of offering a quality education to every student. This legislation brings meaningful reform to our education system, and I am hopeful Governor Dayton will sign it into law this year.
Regents
Last Wednesday, a joint session was held to elect five new regents to the Board of Regents, which oversees and governs the University of Minnesota. The newly elected regents are Darrin Rosha, Dr. Patricia Simmons, Richard Beeson, Thomas Anderson and Michael Hsu.
Serving on the Higher Education Committee, I know how important the University of Minnesota is to our state. During their tenure, I am hopeful these regents will make affordability for college students a top priority.
Sexual Assault Bill Receives Hearing
Last Tuesday in the Higher Education Committee, my bill HF 742 was passed and sent to the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. This bipartisan legislation modernizes our sexual assault laws, protecting, educating and empowering victims and survivors of sexual assault on college campuses, while also working to prevent this serious crime from ever taking place.
The Associated Press covered the hearing, and you can read more about it here.
I will keep you updated about HF 742's progress throughout session.
Buffalo High School and North Hennepin Community College
Last week in the Higher Education Committee, Buffalo High School and North Hennepin Community College testified before the committee about the innovative partnership they have created that helps more students receive college credit before graduating high school.
Similar to PSEO, the program allows Buffalo students to take college courses and receive credit right at the high school. Students have the potential to earn an Associates of Arts degree and their high school diploma at the same time. This is a great program for our local students, and I am pleased these two academic institutions have come together to offer this opportunity in Buffalo.
As always, please feel free to contact me about any state legislative issue. You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 549 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Marion