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Update for March 31-April 4, 2008 — From Mary Cecconi, Executive Director

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What is happening at the Capitol?

Short and sweet this week!

The K-12 Education Finance Supplemental Budget Bill HF 2475 (Greiling), the House K-12 Policy Bill HF 3316 (Mariani), the Senate E-12 Policy Bill SF 3001 (Wiger), and the E-12 Budget Recommendation Bill SF 3631 (Stumpf) are all making their way through the necessary committees and onto the floor for discussion, amendment and vote. This is where one really needs to pay attention. A lot can happen from committee to statute.

At this time, it would seem that if both funding bills are amended into their respective supplemental budget bills, the policy bills may stand alone to go through the conference committee process.

In this issue

A Look Ahead at the Week of March 31

Committee meetings and bills scheduled to be heard change frequently! Be sure to check the daily schedule of hearings and agendas.

Parents United will be hosting its 6th annual Parent Leadership Summit on Monday, April 7 and we are so excited that we will be able to talk about a bill that I have heard will receive a hearing in Rep. Greiling's committee on Thursday, April 10. This is the bill that we have been waiting for--one that tackles comprehensive school funding. This bill has the potential to become the second Minnesota Miracle. We will be able to present more specifics about the bill by Monday.

As parent leaders from around the state, we will be visiting with the education chairs of both bodies in the afternoon and will have the opportunity to speak with the author of the bill as well as those who will be responsible for its future!

In this issue

Other Bills to Watch

As the session heats up there are many bills that come forward that you may have interest in watching. On our site, we have them listed in a very convenient way. Check it out!

It appears that these bills will be rolled into each body's respective omnibus finance bills.

• HF 2475 (Greiling) K-12 Education Finance Supplemental Bill
• SF 3631 (Stumpf) Senate E-12 Budget Recommendations

These bills contain the provisions that may be included in a final education omnibus bill, if such a bill is moved forward.

• HF 3316 (Mariani) K-12 policy provisions
• SF 3001 (Wiger) E-12 policy provisions

In this issue

What Can I Do?

Continue to stay connected to this process, and we'll keep you up-to-date. Send this email on to others who you believe would be interested in the information we share.

"Our children cannot go back to grade school and get another education when times are better and we all have more to give. When the playground is empty and the children are gone, either we will have sacrificed for them, or we won't."

In this issue

Questions? Email Mary Cecconi

Parents United for Public Schools
1667 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55108
651-999-7391
www.parentsunited.org