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Early Childhood Learning Finance Division

THIRTEENTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Tuesday, February 27, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION


EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES


Representative Nora Slawik, Chair, called the thirteenth meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 in Room 200 State Office Building. Quorum was not present.

Members present:
SLAWIK, Nora - Chair
BLY, David - Vice Chair
MURPHY, Erin
LAINE, Carolyn
WARD, John
FRITZ, Patti
PETERSON, Sandra
EASTLUND, Rob
KRANZ, Scott
GAROFALO, Pat
WARDLOW, Lynn
MURPHY, M ex-officio
NORNES, Bud
GOTTWALT, Steve

Members Excused:
WINKLER, Ryan

Quorum was reached at 4:14 p.m.

HF20 (Thissen) Pre-kindergarten scholarship granting organizations contribution income tax credit provided.

Rep Slawik moved that HF 20 be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness for further referral to the Committee on Taxes.

Representative Slawik moved amendment HOO20A3 (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Slawik moved amendment H0020A2 (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Slawik moved an oral amendment.
Line 5.22 Delete $0 insert _____________
Delete 2006 insert 2008
Delete $3,500,000 insert ________
Delete 2007 insert 2009
THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

People testifying:
Representative Paul Thissen
Testified on the bill and its importance.
Dr. Barbara Devlin, Superintendent, Richfield Public Schools
Testified on positive affects of this legislation on minority, low income and at risk children.

Representative Slawik moved an oral amendment
Line 3.10 delete 290.0676 insert 290.0678
THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Dr. Karen Effrem, Policy Analyst and Board Member, EdWatch
Testified on support for tax credit bills and concerns about organizations accreditation referenced in the bills.

Representative Slawik moved that HF 20, as amended, be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness for further referral to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILS.

Representative Eastland moved approval of the minutes for Thursday, February 22, 2007. THE MOTION PREVAILED and the minutes are approved.


Early Childhood Learning Committee
Page 2
February 22, 2007


Representative Bly assumed the gavel at 4:40 p.m.

HF123 (Slawik) Education expense tax credit and deduction applied to certain expenditures for pre-kindergarten expenses and museum memberships

Rep Slawik moved that HF 123 be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness for further referral to the Committee on Taxes.

People testifying
Representative Nora Slawik
Testified on legislation.
Cisa Keller, Director, New Horizons Academy, Downtown St. Paul
Testified on benefits of legislation on low-income families.
Emily Adriens, House Fiscal Analyst
Testified on memo from Nina Manzi, dated February 28, 2007
Malinda Herrim, Parent, St. Paul
Testified on the affect tax credits would have on her family's long-term financial health.

Representative Bly moved that HF 123 be recommended to pass and returned to the Committee on Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness for further referral to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILS.

Representative Slawik resumes the gavel at 4:59 p.m.

HF235 (Murphy, E) Developmental screening aid funding increased

Representative Murphy, E moved that HF235 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

People testifying:
Representative Erin Murphy
Testified on the importance of funding increases for screenings.
Ann Hoxie, School Nurse Organization of Minnesota, Student Wellness Administrator, St. Paul Public Schools
Testified on the importance of increased funding to help serve children properly.
Kirk Schneidawind, Associate Director of Governmental Relations, Minnesota School Boards Association
Testified on the importance of increased funding and the cost involved with screenings.
Charlie Blesner, Community Education Director, Elk River School District
Testified on current mandates and how funding is needed to help accomplish those mandates.

Representative Slawik moved that HF 235 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

HF585 (Bly) Early childhood developmental screening expanded, kindergarten entrance assessment established, and money appropriated

Representative Bly moved that HF 585 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Representative Bly moved amendment H0585DE1. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

People testifying:
Representative David Bly
Testified on legislation
Lois Engstrom, Director, MN Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE)
Testified on importance of parent education.
Mary Kay Stranik, Family Program Consultant (Former Executive Director of MELD)
Testified on importance of parent choice included in the legislation.
Carolyn Smallwood, Executive Director, Way to Grow
Testified on services provided by Way to Grow including parent education.
LaDonna White, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
Testified on organization's support for parent education and having resources to reach more families.
Dr. Karen Effrem, Policy Analyst and Board Member, EdWatch
Testified on concerns with focusing funding on parent development.



Early Childhood Learning Finance Committee
February 28, 2007
Page 3



Representative Slawik moved that HF 585 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.



Meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m.



_______________________________________
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair




_______________________________________
Tricia Kiefer, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

HF20 (Thissen) Pre-kindergarten scholarship granting organizations contribution income tax credit provided
HF123 (Slawik) Education expense tax credit and deduction applied to certain expenditures for pre-kindergarten expenses and museum memberships
HF235 (Murphy, E) Developmental screening aid funding increased
HF585 (Bly) Early childhood developmental screening expanded and kindergarten entrance assessment established