A proposal to add four legislators to the Minnesota P-16 Education Partnership and expand its scope was approved Feb. 24 by the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee.
Rep. Marsha Swails (DFL-Woodbury), who sponsors HF106, said adding lawmakers from both major parties and renaming the group the P-20 Education Partnership would cost the state nothing and would help move innovative ideas from the think-tank atmosphere more quickly into the legislative process and the public forum.
Current P-16 partnership members represent education advocacy groups, colleges and universities, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, the governor’s office and the Department of Education.
“We are simply asking that we, the implementers of public policy, have a seat at the table,” Swails said.
Research indicates such groups are more “successful” and have more “clout” when they include legislators and have the governor’s support, said Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville). “Having legislators on the P-16 council is a strong recommendation of the Education Commission of the States.” Greiling and Education Commissioner Alice Seagren serve on that national nonpartisan policy and research group, which is chaired by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Others said formalizing legislators’ presence is not needed.
Beth Aune, the Education Department’s director of academic standards and P-16 initiatives, said some council members fear lawmakers’ presence could engender a partisan atmosphere on the council and reduce its “nimbleness.”
Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield) opposed the bill. “They haven’t asked the Legislature to do anything,” he said. “Why do we impose upon them our process?”
But the benefit of having legislators at the table “far outweighs the potential negative,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul), the committee chairman. He attends partnership meetings as the executive director of Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Inc., not as a lawmaker.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee. Its companion, SF21, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), awaits action by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
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