legislative basics. our agenda is simple: we provide credible, timely information about education...
TRANSCRIPT
Legislative Basics
Our agenda is simple: we provide credible, timely information about education policy and the law-making process so parents can speak for themselves.
Parents United
We are an organization of parents, for parents
“If you are not at the table you are on the menu”
Major Functions and Services of State Government
• K-12 Education• Higher Education • Family Assistance• Corrections • Transportation • Agriculture • Natural Resources • Pollution Control • Public Facilities Authority
Education is a constitutional mandate
Minnesota Constitution, Article 13, Section 1
…it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools.
The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state.
Minnesota GovernmentStructure
Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch
Upholds laws Makes laws Interprets laws
GovernorLt. GovernorSecretary of StateAuditorAttorney General
SenateHouse of Representatives
Supreme CourtJudicial System
Quick Facts
• Two houses make up the Legislature – Senate and House
• Senate has 67 members (4 year term)• House has 134 members (2 year term)• Each legislative district has one Senator and two
Representatives.• Representatives and Senators must be:
– qualified voters of the state– at least 21 years of age– must have resided for at least one year in the state.
House of Representatives SenateSpeaker of the House
Majority LeaderAssistant Majority Leaders
Minority LeaderAssistant Minority Leaders
Minority Whips
Speaker Tempore
Committee chairs
134 House Members
Majority LeaderAssistant Majority LeadersMajority Whips Minority LeaderAssistant Minority Leaders President of the SenatePresident Pro temp Committee chairs
67 Senators
Being in the majority matters
Timing is key
January Committees, chairs selected
February Budget forecast, Governor’s budget then minority budget
March Bills and Budget Targets
April Bills heard day and nightMay
Conference committees and legislature adjourns
How a Bill Becomes Law
1. The idea for a new law is drafted as a bill and introduced by sponsors in both the House and the Senate
2. The House holdscommittee hearings on the bill to discuss it and make changes, if necessary
Floor sessions
3. After the committeesfinish their work, the fullHouse of Representativesvotes on the bill.
Senate Action
4. The Senate also holdscommittee hearings on itsversion of the bill. These cango on before, during or afterthe House hearings.
5. Just as the Housedoes, the full Senatemust vote on the bill.
6. If the House and Senate pass the same version of a bill, it is sent to the governor for action.
Conference Committees
7. If the language of the bills differ, then the differences have to be worked out by a conference committee.
Then on to the governor
To sign Or veto
A Governor’s role
It can get confusing!
So there is help!
Finding out what is happening at any given time is critical
Keeping track….
Legislators LOVE talking with parents.
They see them and refer to them as
“REAL PEOPLE”
Use that advantage!
If you want to talk with a
Senator or Representative about a bill, and need a little help call or email us!
It matters!
Knowledge + Action =
Change
Highlights of 2013 E-12 Omnibus bill
• Early childhood scholarships• Optional All Day Kindergarten• $$ on the per pupil formula • New suite of assessments for students to explore and
plan for career and /or college • A career and technical education advisory task force• Increases $$ for school lunches • Special education case load task force
2013Center on Budget Policy and Priorities
Current avenue for advocacy! WBWF legislation
Intent:
To engage the
community in the
work of educating
Minnesota students.
For Minnesota to build the worlds best workforce, we need
• All students ready for K• All third graders reading at grade-level• Close all academic achievement gaps• Graduate all students from high school• Have all high school graduates career and college
ready
Parents United
Legislative Kick-Off
December 6, 20149:00-11:00AM
TIES Conference Center1640 Larpenteur Ave West
St Paul, MN55108
“Information is the currency of democracy”
Thomas Jefferson