Although the Capitol reopened to the public, this week was relatively quiet. Governor Tim Walz called a special session commencing on Monday as required to extend his Covid emergency powers. I’ve seen a few reports that the education bill is nearly finished, but I haven’t seen it yet. Four of the 14 bills that make up the state budget were completed and taken up on the House floor on Thursday. However, the minority party filibustered the process, spending hours lamenting the lack of transparency in the high-level negotiations.
One of the bills completed last week, the higher education bill, included initiatives to increase teachers of color. Roughly 5% of teachers in Minnesota are teachers of color compared to over 30% of students. Studies show that racially diverse students do better academically, socially, and emotionally when in the classroom with a teacher of color. Both the House and Senate education committees have a laser focus on reducing Minnesota’s largest in the nation achievement gap between students of color and their white peers. Although the House and Senate diverge on how to solve this complex problem, they have found common ground on increasing the diversity of teachers in the classroom. You can see the grants and policy to increase teachers of color in the higher education bill and the already agreed upon items in the education bill in SEE’s side-by-side bill comparison.
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Premier Business Partners.
Logo linked to Business Partner's website.
Twelve days to go before the constitutional deadline of June 30 when, without a completed budget, the state will begin to shut down. Among the first special session bills introduced by the Senate was a proposal to fund the government at the current levels if the legislature does not get their work done. Referred to as a safety valve, if enacted, the final deadline to finish the budget disappears. School districts across the state are waiting to hear how the $600 million increase for education, already agreed upon by state leadership, will be distributed as they plan for the upcoming school year. It is unacceptable that this funding for our schools can remain in limbo for days, weeks, or even months. Stay tuned!
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
