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Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division

SIXTH MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Thursday, January 29, 2009

STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION

EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Nora Slawik, Chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm on Thursday, January 29, 2009, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

House Members Present:

Slawik (Chair)
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Bly
Buesgens
Downey
Greiling
Hamilton
Jackson
Laine
Mariani
Nornes
Peterson
Ward

House Members Excused:

Mack

A quorum was present.

Representative Downey moved that the minutes from Tuesday, February 27, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Peterson moved that HF40 (Peterson), Quality rating and improvement system created for high-quality early learning and care programs, be heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the Omnibus Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division bill.

Representative Peterson moved the A09-0010 amendment (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying in favor of HF40, (as amended):
Louise Stoney, National Alliance for Early Childhood Finance

A few questions were asked regarding the original wording of the bill which was changed by the amendment. Other questions asked if the QRS system could be adapted to the K-12 system and if the state was taking on liability by implementing the QRS system.

Representative Peterson renewed the motion that HF40, (as amended), be laid on the table.

Vice-Chair Rosenthal assumed the gavel at 5:24 pm.

Representative Slawik moved that HF246 (Slawik), Child care assistance provider rates modified, quality and improvement system created, child care improvement grants modified, and money appropriated, be heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the Omnibus Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division bill.

Representative Slawik moved the A09-0009 amendment (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying in favor of HF246, (as amended):
Nancy Johnson, Director, Caring for Kids Initiative Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, Wayzata Public School District

A question was asked regarding how fiscal numbers were going to be drawn up for the bill. Another question asked if money spent on the QRS system would be redundant to work being done by the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF).

Representative Slawik renewed the motion that HF246, (as amended), be laid on the table.

Chair Slawik resumed the gavel at 4:43 pm.

Testifying on Quality Rating Systems:

Lisa Thompson, family child care provider, AFSCME Child Care Providers Together (Ms. Thompson brought an apple, a banana and an apple corer to illustrate a metaphor within her testimony.)

Steve Kerr, Director of Community Education, Anoka-Hennepin School District

Testifying in opposition to implementing a Quality Rating System:

Dr. Karen Effrem, Policy Analyst, Board Member and Director of Government Relations, EdWatch

Tom Pritchard, President, Minnesota Family Council

The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 pm.


Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR



Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

HF40 (Peterson) Quality rating and improvement system created for high-quality early learning and care programs.
HF246 (Slawik) Child care assistance provider rates modified, quality and improvement system created, child care improvement grants modified, and money appropriated.