2010 legislative goals address funding, health insurance, achievement gap
The 2010 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins Feb. 4, and Education Minnesota is formulating a legislative agenda that looks to the long-term future of public education.
Legislative priorities will include equitable, sustainable, predictable, sufficient funding for early childhood through 12th grade and higher education, as well as quality pensions and affordable, high-quality health insurance for school employees.
In addition, Education Minnesota will present new proposals for closing the academic achievement gap and ensuring high-quality teachers for all Minnesota students.
This year’s session is traditionally a short session focused on state bonding proposals. It is expected to end by about the third week in May, but could end sooner because 2010 is also an election year, and lawmakers are eager to begin their campaigns.
Financial issues are also expected to dominate the session. Lawmakers are facing a projected deficit of at least $4.4 billion for the 2012-2013 biennium.
That number could rise as high as $7 billion if the Legislature seeks to repay a $1.2 billion school aid accounting shift imposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and if inflation is taken into account. More details are expected after the November state economic forecast.
November 24, 2009