Public Policy Update
On Friday, June 12, the Minnesota legislature convened for a
one-day special session to resolve budget differences between Gov. Dayton and
Legislative leaders in the areas of education, jobs and energy, and environment
and agriculture in order to avoid a partial government shut down.
Good news!
The bipartisan compromised education bill includes the largest increases for 3 and 4 year
olds to access high quality pre-k in Minnesota's history and
nearly doubles Minnesota's commitment to early learning.
Key numbers for early learning this session:
- $48 million for early learning scholarships
- $30.75 million for school readiness programs in school districts
- $10 million to reduce the Head Start waiting list
- $10 million for child care assistance
- $3.5 million to support Parent Aware quality ratings
- Additional funding for ECFE, the Northside Achievement Zone, the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, targeted Home Visiting and the Parent Child Home Program
While there will be many things to watch in the coming weeks as
the plans for the administration of the new budget are developed and there is
more work to do to support our youngest and most vulnerable learners, we are
pleased that our early learners continue to be a high priority for our elected
officials.
Please take a moment to send a note of
thanks to your legislators and Governor Dayton to thank them for their
leadership and commitment.
If you have more specific questions about what's happening at
the State Capitol, feel free to connect with Cisa Keller (ckeller@thinksmall.org) or Todd Otis (totis@thinksmall.org)
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