STATE OF MINNESOTA NINETEENTH MEETING
MN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY SECOND SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE
MINUTES
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, called the virtual meeting to order at 10:30am on February 23, 2021 pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting is being broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DAVNIE, Jim
SANDSTEDE, Julie
KRESHA, Ron
BENNETT, Peggy
DANIELS, Brian
DEMUTH, Lisa
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
ERICKSON, Sondra
FEIST, Sandra
JORDAN, Sydney
MARQUART, Paul
MUELLER, Patricia
RICHARDSON, Ruth
THOMPSON, John
WOLGAMOTT, Dan
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
Members excused:
XIONG, Tou
A quorum was present.
Rep. Youakim moved that the minutes from February 18, 2021 be approved. Motion prevailed.
HF 1024 (Pinto) The bill establishes a new state agency, the Department of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2023. The bill identifies programs currently administered under the Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services to transfer to the Department of Early Childhood.
Rep. Wolgamott moved that HF 1024 be presented before the committee; be referred to Human Services Finance & Policy.
Chair Davnie moved that the A1 amendment to HF 1024 be presented to and adopted by the committee. The amendment was adopted.
Rep. Pinto presented HF 1024, as amended.
Rep. Wolgamott renewed the motion that HF 1024, as amended by the A1 amendment, be referred to Human Services Finance & Policy. Motion prevailed by voice vote, confirmed by roll call vote at the call of the Chair.
Roll Call Vote Count (HF 1024, A1); ‘aye’ – 11, ‘no’ – 5:
DAVNIE, Jim (aye)
SANDSTEDE, Julie (aye)
KRESHA, Ron (aye)
BENNETT, Peggy (no)
DANIELS, Brian (no)
DEMUTH, Lisa (aye)
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve (no)
ERICKSON, Sondra (no)
FEIST, Sandra (aye)
JORDAN, Sydney (aye)
MARQUART, Paul (aye)
MUELLER, Patricia (no)
RICHARDSON, Ruth (aye)
THOMPSON, John (aye)
WOLGAMOTT, Dan (aye)
XIONG, Tou (excused)
YOUAKIM, Cheryl (aye)
HF 288 (Edelson) The Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) program is a professional development program for teachers of reading. The proprietary program imparts the components and principles of scientifically based reading instruction with an emphasis on the science behind learning language and phonetic awareness. HF 288 appropriates $1 million each year, beginning in FY 22, for grants to teachers to complete training in the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) program.
Chair Davnie moved that HF 288 be presented before the committee; be laid over for further consideration at a later time.
Rep. Edelson presented HF 288.
Chair Davnie renewed the motion that HF 288 be laid over for further consideration at a later time.
Testifiers:
Sara Ford, Education Issues Specialist, Education MN
Robin Wonsley, Community Engagement Coordinator, Education MN
Ericca Maas, Executive Director, Close Gaps by 5
Elliot Regenstein, Partner, Foresight Law
Stephanie Hogenson, Policy Director, Governor’s Children’s Cabinet
Dr. Amy Schulting, Dyslexia Specialist at MDE
Abbey Payeur, EdD, Adjunct Instructor, Bethel University
Krista Moyer, Teacher, Ely Public Schools – ISD 696
Rachel Berger, Founder of Decoding Dyslexia
Wendy Lundsgaard, Literacy Educator Trainer
Sara Spafford Freeman, Advocate
Matt Shaver, Policy Director, EdAllies
The meeting of the Education Finance Committee was adjourned 11:55am.
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Representative Jim Davnie, Chair
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Brittney Sunderland, Committee Legislative Assistant