Legislature opens with key concerns on the agenda
As the 2012 Minnesota Legislature convenes, expectations are low for the short, election-year session to produce major changes for schools, educators and working families in Minnesota.
The abbreviated session calendar and improving revenue for the state reduce pressure to make even more budget cuts. But education advocates have important roles to play in creating political momentum for investing in Minnesota’s future.
Three areas top the agenda of probable concerns during the session:
- Attempts in the Republican-led Legislature to send constitutional amendment questions to the voters because Gov. Mark Dayton would not sign legislation on controversial measures to attack union rights, make it harder to vote and require a supermajority of votes in the Legislature to raise revenue.
- How education mandates initiated last year will be implemented and whether there will be signs of progress toward genuine reform of the state’s education finance system.
- Whether the Legislature will agree to bonding proposals that would create jobs by addressing some of Minnesota’s deferred investment in public works projects.
In a Jan. 19 press conference, the Republican legislative leaders previewed their agenda for this session. It includes mayoral control of the Minneapolis and St. Paul schools and sending money generated by levy referendums with students into charter schools.
The change in Senate leadership, public opinion about what happened in last year’s epic budget battles and the looming election for all legislative seats have changed dynamics at the Capitol. But the session leading into the 2012 elections will require active engagement by education advocates to help keep the focus on investing in Minnesota rather than allowing partisan political wedge issues to dominate.
With Republican majorities, the potential for more constitutional amendment questions that come from a partisan national wish list loom large.
'Right to Work' - for less
Last year, Education Minnesota members and other advocates for labor were able to stop a so-called “Right to Work” amendment question from passing in the Legislature.
The effects of such laws are well-documented. States with “Right to Work” laws have lower wages and severely curtailed union strength. On average, workers in “Right to Work” (for less) states earn $5,538 less a year than workers in states without such laws and are less likely to be covered by health insurance.
Stopping this devastating proposal again is a high priority to protect economic growth and labor rights in Minnesota. If it were to pass in the Legislature, the question would be on Minnesota’s 2012 general election ballot. Education Minnesota is conducting member training on what “Right to Work” really means and how to explain the implications to others.
Other issues to watch
The Legislature also is expected to act on two other amendment questions from the national Republican agenda.
One would require a supermajority to adopt any tax increase. The other would require a photo identification card for citizens to be allowed to vote. In other states, adding such requirements has made it more difficult or even impossible for some citizens, especially college students, the elderly, women, people of color and those in poverty to acquire documentation that meets the strict terms of photo ID laws.
The session also will include follow-up on education issues legislation passed last year, including principal evaluation and the study of integration aid. Education Minnesota will continue to advocate for reform of school and college funding systems from the state.
The governor presented his bonding proposal a week before the session starts. The package calls for $775 million in state borrowing and almost $112 million, mostly for upkeep of facilities, on Minnesota State College and University system campuses and $107 million for the University of Minnesota.
January 19, 2012