Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Please contribute a LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Governor Dayton produced his budget, now we need to hold Republicans' feet to the fire to do the same. Can you please take a few minutes to write a letter to your local paper asking Republicans to "show us the money?" Your letter is critical in setting the right tone for the Legislative Session and making sure that people in your community are aware of what's going on at the Capitol.
It's easy, everything you need to know is below.
What to focus on in your letter:
* Governor Dayton is keeping his promise to Minnesotans by producing an honest budget.
* Now it is the Republicans’ turn to keep their campaign promises by producing their all-cuts budget.
* Minnesotans deserve more than a bait-and-switch, the Republicans promised that they could cut $6.2 billion, and they should produce it
* Once the Republicans produce their all-cuts budget, our community should weigh which is better for us. Republican proposals thus far would have raised property taxes on all of us, Governor Dayton's proposal means 95% of us won't pay a dime.
Sample letters:
1 - Last week, Governor Dayton proposed his budget. Regardless of your personal reaction to the budget proposal, it is clear that Governor Dayton kept his campaign promise. He said he was going to raise taxes on the rich, and he did. He said he was going to invest in our school children's success, and he did.
Now it's the Republican's turn to make good on their campaign promises. They said that Minnesota has plenty of money, and that they could balance the budget through an all-cuts approach.
Minnesotans deserve to see the all-cuts budget, compare it to Dayton's budget, and decide which is best for our state. And in our community, we should weigh the consequences of all-cuts on our community - layoffs, fewer snowplows, and poorer schools, not to mention all of us paying higher property taxes against the Dayton budget and decide what is best for us.
It's time for the Republicans to show how their all-cuts plan will make our community a better place to live.
2 - Representative XXX said that Minnesota should live within its means, just like families do. I'm waiting on XXX to put his/her money where his/her mouth is and reveal their budget plan. Governor Dayton put his cards on the table, and now we need to see what Legislative Republicans are holding. Only then can we see who is keeping true to their word.
If you know your local paper email or address, you can send it in on our own. If you don't, simply click here, put in your zip code, type your letter in the text box, and press send.
Thank you for helping spread the word on this critical issue. Every letter counts!
It's easy, everything you need to know is below.
What to focus on in your letter:
* Governor Dayton is keeping his promise to Minnesotans by producing an honest budget.
* Now it is the Republicans’ turn to keep their campaign promises by producing their all-cuts budget.
* Minnesotans deserve more than a bait-and-switch, the Republicans promised that they could cut $6.2 billion, and they should produce it
* Once the Republicans produce their all-cuts budget, our community should weigh which is better for us. Republican proposals thus far would have raised property taxes on all of us, Governor Dayton's proposal means 95% of us won't pay a dime.
Sample letters:
1 - Last week, Governor Dayton proposed his budget. Regardless of your personal reaction to the budget proposal, it is clear that Governor Dayton kept his campaign promise. He said he was going to raise taxes on the rich, and he did. He said he was going to invest in our school children's success, and he did.
Now it's the Republican's turn to make good on their campaign promises. They said that Minnesota has plenty of money, and that they could balance the budget through an all-cuts approach.
Minnesotans deserve to see the all-cuts budget, compare it to Dayton's budget, and decide which is best for our state. And in our community, we should weigh the consequences of all-cuts on our community - layoffs, fewer snowplows, and poorer schools, not to mention all of us paying higher property taxes against the Dayton budget and decide what is best for us.
It's time for the Republicans to show how their all-cuts plan will make our community a better place to live.
2 - Representative XXX said that Minnesota should live within its means, just like families do. I'm waiting on XXX to put his/her money where his/her mouth is and reveal their budget plan. Governor Dayton put his cards on the table, and now we need to see what Legislative Republicans are holding. Only then can we see who is keeping true to their word.
If you know your local paper email or address, you can send it in on our own. If you don't, simply click here, put in your zip code, type your letter in the text box, and press send.
Thank you for helping spread the word on this critical issue. Every letter counts!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Governor Dayton's Budget
February 16, 2011
Governor Dayton's Budget
. The Governor's budget proposal is fair, responsible and balanced.
It's an honest look at our state's fiscal needs that addresses the historic
deficit he inherited from the GOP and makes thoughtful reforms to build a
better Minnesota.
. The Governor's proposal does exactly what he said he'd do all
along: it invests in education and public safety and protects the middle
class.
. The Governor's budget contains no property or income tax increases
on the middle class. Period.
. 95% of all Minnesotans will not pay a dime more in taxes. Governor
Dayton's plan simply asks the richest of the rich to pay a bit more to help
us maintain essential services and create a more prosperous future for our
state.
. Investing in Minnesota's future starts with investing in our young
people. There is no question - to compete in a global economy, we have to
have an excellent education system in Minnesota. It's an investment with a
proven return and a jobs plan for the next century.
State Legislature
. Governor Dayton is keeping his promise to Minnesotans. Now, the
Republicans can either get on board, or produce the all-cuts budget they
promised.
. The Republicans asked for this job and now they're in control in
the legislature. It's time for them step up and show us their plan, rather
than trying to pull a bait-and-switch.
. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over
again and expecting a different result. We've had eight years of Governor
Pawlenty's cut-here, tax-there budgets and we're worse off for it. Governor
Dayton's plan is an honest approach that doesn't rely on temporary shifts,
one-time money or other Republican gimmicks.
. The Republican majority has done nothing but break their promises
- from holding children and seniors harmless to their ability to produce an
all-cuts budget.
. The Republican majority's only "jobs plan" is to eliminate jobs
instead of create them.
Legislative District 5B Special Election
. Yesterday, Minnesotans elected DFL candidate, Carly Melin to the
Minnesota House of Representatives. This race was the first successful step
in regaining a DFL majority in the House of Representatives in 2012, a
majority that - like Carly Melin - will always stand for and with working
Minnesotans.
. Carly Melin, is ready to get to work in the state legislature - to
fight for workers, protect union rights and support policies that will bring
jobs to the rural economy.
. Carly is a strong leader, who supports the governor's bonding
proposals which will bring jobs to the local economy through infrastructure
investments in local schools and communities and create new construction
jobs.
. Carly will passionately support Polymet Mining, Essar Steel, and
other new innovations in mining and natural resources to grow the local
economy while protecting the environment.
President Obama's Budget
. President Obama's budget invests in measures that will help
America to win the future - particularly education.
. Education investments will put America in a position to out-build,
out-innovate, and out-compete nations around the globe. Investments in
schools will help us prepare students for 21st century jobs and give them
the skills they need to be successful.
. Engineering, critical thinking, and problem solving are things our
kids need to learn to be successful in the future, and that's why President
Obama is:
o Preparing 100,000 science, technology, engineering, and math teachers
during the next ten years.
o Continuing the highly successful Race to the Top program and fixing the
No Child Left Behind program in a way that will prepare all students for
college and careers.
o Maintaining the maximum Pell Grant award to help millions of American
students obtain higher education.
o And it's why he set the goal to have the highest proportion of college
graduates in the world by 2020 - a goal that we're on track to reach.
. But America also has to take responsibility for our deficits and
make room for the investments that will ensure America's success in the 21st
century.
. President Obama has called for an annual domestic spending freeze
lasting five years, which will cut the deficit by more than $400 billion
over the next ten years and reduce domestic spending to its lowest levels
since President Eisenhower.
. That spending freeze will require making some difficult choices,
but President Obama is serious about putting America's fiscal house in order
while ensuring that we don't sacrifice America's future.
Governor Dayton's Budget
. The Governor's budget proposal is fair, responsible and balanced.
It's an honest look at our state's fiscal needs that addresses the historic
deficit he inherited from the GOP and makes thoughtful reforms to build a
better Minnesota.
. The Governor's proposal does exactly what he said he'd do all
along: it invests in education and public safety and protects the middle
class.
. The Governor's budget contains no property or income tax increases
on the middle class. Period.
. 95% of all Minnesotans will not pay a dime more in taxes. Governor
Dayton's plan simply asks the richest of the rich to pay a bit more to help
us maintain essential services and create a more prosperous future for our
state.
. Investing in Minnesota's future starts with investing in our young
people. There is no question - to compete in a global economy, we have to
have an excellent education system in Minnesota. It's an investment with a
proven return and a jobs plan for the next century.
State Legislature
. Governor Dayton is keeping his promise to Minnesotans. Now, the
Republicans can either get on board, or produce the all-cuts budget they
promised.
. The Republicans asked for this job and now they're in control in
the legislature. It's time for them step up and show us their plan, rather
than trying to pull a bait-and-switch.
. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over
again and expecting a different result. We've had eight years of Governor
Pawlenty's cut-here, tax-there budgets and we're worse off for it. Governor
Dayton's plan is an honest approach that doesn't rely on temporary shifts,
one-time money or other Republican gimmicks.
. The Republican majority has done nothing but break their promises
- from holding children and seniors harmless to their ability to produce an
all-cuts budget.
. The Republican majority's only "jobs plan" is to eliminate jobs
instead of create them.
Legislative District 5B Special Election
. Yesterday, Minnesotans elected DFL candidate, Carly Melin to the
Minnesota House of Representatives. This race was the first successful step
in regaining a DFL majority in the House of Representatives in 2012, a
majority that - like Carly Melin - will always stand for and with working
Minnesotans.
. Carly Melin, is ready to get to work in the state legislature - to
fight for workers, protect union rights and support policies that will bring
jobs to the rural economy.
. Carly is a strong leader, who supports the governor's bonding
proposals which will bring jobs to the local economy through infrastructure
investments in local schools and communities and create new construction
jobs.
. Carly will passionately support Polymet Mining, Essar Steel, and
other new innovations in mining and natural resources to grow the local
economy while protecting the environment.
President Obama's Budget
. President Obama's budget invests in measures that will help
America to win the future - particularly education.
. Education investments will put America in a position to out-build,
out-innovate, and out-compete nations around the globe. Investments in
schools will help us prepare students for 21st century jobs and give them
the skills they need to be successful.
. Engineering, critical thinking, and problem solving are things our
kids need to learn to be successful in the future, and that's why President
Obama is:
o Preparing 100,000 science, technology, engineering, and math teachers
during the next ten years.
o Continuing the highly successful Race to the Top program and fixing the
No Child Left Behind program in a way that will prepare all students for
college and careers.
o Maintaining the maximum Pell Grant award to help millions of American
students obtain higher education.
o And it's why he set the goal to have the highest proportion of college
graduates in the world by 2020 - a goal that we're on track to reach.
. But America also has to take responsibility for our deficits and
make room for the investments that will ensure America's success in the 21st
century.
. President Obama has called for an annual domestic spending freeze
lasting five years, which will cut the deficit by more than $400 billion
over the next ten years and reduce domestic spending to its lowest levels
since President Eisenhower.
. That spending freeze will require making some difficult choices,
but President Obama is serious about putting America's fiscal house in order
while ensuring that we don't sacrifice America's future.
District tests preschool program State officials observe Oakdale classroom
http://review-news.com/main.asp?SectionID=64&SubsectionID=130&ArticleID=10981
District tests preschool program
State officials observe Oakdale classroom
Katy Zillmer
staff writer
Kristen Longway's preschool classroom at Oakdale Elementary School was the center of state officials' attention on early childhood education last Friday.
State Rep. Nora Slawik, DFL-Maplewood, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon and Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning Services director Karen Carlson visited the classroom, which is part of the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale District's preschool education pilot program this year.
Longway asked the state officials to visit Oakdale Elementary so they could see the importance of preschool education. Members of District 622's Board of Education also were at the school with Superintendent Patty Phillips.
Longway was a kindergarten teacher for 15 years at Weaver Elementary before switching to the preschool program at Oakdale. Webster Elementary School also has a pilot preschool class.
During the visit, officials saw attentive 4- and 5-year-old students sing songs, read, and do alphabet exercises that all build toward what they'll be learning in the district's elementary schools.
They also learn social skills such as listening to Longway and working together -- which will ease their transition into kindergarten classrooms.
Parent volunteers help in the classroom on a daily basis, and special-education students in the district's Next Step program also help.
Preschool started in October 2010. Prior to that, Longway visited incoming students' homes to meet them and answer parents' questions.
Parents are welcome into the classroom so they can find out what children are learning and reinforce the lessons at home. Longway also sends updates to parents each week to provide details about exercises they do in class.
There are 34 students total in the classes at Oakdale, and there is a waiting list.
Showing a need
Oakdale Elementary was identified for the preschool program in part because its students show the greatest need for kindergarten preparation, said Principal Peter Mau.
"We see here the huge disparity between students who have had preschool experiences and those who haven't," Mau said, adding that a majority of the students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch or are learning English as a second language.
"Most of the kids who are in this program are kids who would have come to kindergarten and they would have been behind," Mau said. "They're going to start kindergarten as leaders in their class."
Funding for the program is an experiment this year as well.
The district received approval from the Department of Education to allocate a portion of its state integration revenue to the two preschool classes this year, said Office of Educational Equity Coordinator Tom Howley.
The district was initially given integration revenue from the state in the 1990s, when its demographics were primarily European American. For 10 years, District 622 joined other suburban districts and St. Paul Public Schools in the East Metro Integration District.
However, Minnesota's desegregation rule allows partner districts to leave EMID when they experience changes in demographics. In the 10 years before District 622's decision to leave EMID, students of color attending its schools increased from 10 percent to 33 percent.
District 622 has now been in an integration collaborative with Mahtomedi for two years, as Mahtomedi has a low percent of minority enrollment.
Outside that collaborative, the district's integration budget can fund programs that help close the achievement gap and create inclusive learning environments, Howley said.
That's why the preschool program was being checked out by state officials, who can now consider whether integration revenue should be used to better prepare students with language or other barriers for kindergarten.
The Department of Education approved about $261,000 of the district's total integration budget for the preschool classes this year. The district receives just over $1.7 million in integration revenue from the state, Howley said.
Model program
Rep. Slawik, who is the DFL lead on the Early Childhood Committee, said using integration funding for preschool is "innovative."
In fact, she said she is working on introducing a bill that would allow the use of state integration dollars as funding for preschool programs.
After her visit at Oakdale Elementary, Slawik said she wants more information on how the curriculum was developed and how the students' progress will be monitored.
Overall, she said, 622's program is a good model for the Legislature to consider.
"If we allowed funding through integration funds for preschool I think we could show other districts a preschool program that's working," Slawik said.
For the district, the hope is to continue the preschool program at Oakdale and Webster and possibly expand it to other buildings, according to Howley. "I think the value is clear," Howley said.
Superintendent Phillips agreed that an early introduction to the classroom could yield similar results to those of students who spend all day, instead of half a day, at school.
Students in the district's all-day, every day kindergarten program have 8 to 15 percent better proficiency by the time they are tested at second and third grade, she said.
"We just feel that investment in early childhood is where it's at to close the achievement gap," Phillips said.
Local to state
There may be the opportunity to do that under Gov. Mark Dayton's "Better Schools for Better Minnesota" plan announced this month.
Outside of Oakdale and Webster's elementary pilot programs, early childhood education is a focus at the state level. The governor has proposed extending education statewide to a preschool through 12th-grade system.
Prettner Solon said the "huge" achievement gap in the state as well as the need for programs to engage children prompted her to accept the invitation to visit Oakdale Elementary's preschool.
"What we need to do is find those programs that engage children so that they're eager to learn," Prettner Solon said. As a result, she said, "children who are the most in need and underprivileged have the type of stimulation that is required to help them get up to where children need to be in order to learn effectively."
The governor's top priority is economic development and jobs, Prettner Solon said, adding, "He recognizes that in order for us to have a prosperous state we need a well-educated and well-prepared workforce."
"The goal is to help educate children from their earliest moments so they are ready to be successful," Prettner Solon said.
Based on her experience at Oakdale Elementary Friday, Prettner Solon said, "Obviously, it's a successful program. I'm very impressed."
Katy Zillmer can be reached at kzillmer@lillienews.com or at 651-748-7822.
District tests preschool program
State officials observe Oakdale classroom
Katy Zillmer
staff writer
Kristen Longway's preschool classroom at Oakdale Elementary School was the center of state officials' attention on early childhood education last Friday.
State Rep. Nora Slawik, DFL-Maplewood, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon and Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning Services director Karen Carlson visited the classroom, which is part of the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale District's preschool education pilot program this year.
Longway asked the state officials to visit Oakdale Elementary so they could see the importance of preschool education. Members of District 622's Board of Education also were at the school with Superintendent Patty Phillips.
Longway was a kindergarten teacher for 15 years at Weaver Elementary before switching to the preschool program at Oakdale. Webster Elementary School also has a pilot preschool class.
During the visit, officials saw attentive 4- and 5-year-old students sing songs, read, and do alphabet exercises that all build toward what they'll be learning in the district's elementary schools.
They also learn social skills such as listening to Longway and working together -- which will ease their transition into kindergarten classrooms.
Parent volunteers help in the classroom on a daily basis, and special-education students in the district's Next Step program also help.
Preschool started in October 2010. Prior to that, Longway visited incoming students' homes to meet them and answer parents' questions.
Parents are welcome into the classroom so they can find out what children are learning and reinforce the lessons at home. Longway also sends updates to parents each week to provide details about exercises they do in class.
There are 34 students total in the classes at Oakdale, and there is a waiting list.
Showing a need
Oakdale Elementary was identified for the preschool program in part because its students show the greatest need for kindergarten preparation, said Principal Peter Mau.
"We see here the huge disparity between students who have had preschool experiences and those who haven't," Mau said, adding that a majority of the students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch or are learning English as a second language.
"Most of the kids who are in this program are kids who would have come to kindergarten and they would have been behind," Mau said. "They're going to start kindergarten as leaders in their class."
Funding for the program is an experiment this year as well.
The district received approval from the Department of Education to allocate a portion of its state integration revenue to the two preschool classes this year, said Office of Educational Equity Coordinator Tom Howley.
The district was initially given integration revenue from the state in the 1990s, when its demographics were primarily European American. For 10 years, District 622 joined other suburban districts and St. Paul Public Schools in the East Metro Integration District.
However, Minnesota's desegregation rule allows partner districts to leave EMID when they experience changes in demographics. In the 10 years before District 622's decision to leave EMID, students of color attending its schools increased from 10 percent to 33 percent.
District 622 has now been in an integration collaborative with Mahtomedi for two years, as Mahtomedi has a low percent of minority enrollment.
Outside that collaborative, the district's integration budget can fund programs that help close the achievement gap and create inclusive learning environments, Howley said.
That's why the preschool program was being checked out by state officials, who can now consider whether integration revenue should be used to better prepare students with language or other barriers for kindergarten.
The Department of Education approved about $261,000 of the district's total integration budget for the preschool classes this year. The district receives just over $1.7 million in integration revenue from the state, Howley said.
Model program
Rep. Slawik, who is the DFL lead on the Early Childhood Committee, said using integration funding for preschool is "innovative."
In fact, she said she is working on introducing a bill that would allow the use of state integration dollars as funding for preschool programs.
After her visit at Oakdale Elementary, Slawik said she wants more information on how the curriculum was developed and how the students' progress will be monitored.
Overall, she said, 622's program is a good model for the Legislature to consider.
"If we allowed funding through integration funds for preschool I think we could show other districts a preschool program that's working," Slawik said.
For the district, the hope is to continue the preschool program at Oakdale and Webster and possibly expand it to other buildings, according to Howley. "I think the value is clear," Howley said.
Superintendent Phillips agreed that an early introduction to the classroom could yield similar results to those of students who spend all day, instead of half a day, at school.
Students in the district's all-day, every day kindergarten program have 8 to 15 percent better proficiency by the time they are tested at second and third grade, she said.
"We just feel that investment in early childhood is where it's at to close the achievement gap," Phillips said.
Local to state
There may be the opportunity to do that under Gov. Mark Dayton's "Better Schools for Better Minnesota" plan announced this month.
Outside of Oakdale and Webster's elementary pilot programs, early childhood education is a focus at the state level. The governor has proposed extending education statewide to a preschool through 12th-grade system.
Prettner Solon said the "huge" achievement gap in the state as well as the need for programs to engage children prompted her to accept the invitation to visit Oakdale Elementary's preschool.
"What we need to do is find those programs that engage children so that they're eager to learn," Prettner Solon said. As a result, she said, "children who are the most in need and underprivileged have the type of stimulation that is required to help them get up to where children need to be in order to learn effectively."
The governor's top priority is economic development and jobs, Prettner Solon said, adding, "He recognizes that in order for us to have a prosperous state we need a well-educated and well-prepared workforce."
"The goal is to help educate children from their earliest moments so they are ready to be successful," Prettner Solon said.
Based on her experience at Oakdale Elementary Friday, Prettner Solon said, "Obviously, it's a successful program. I'm very impressed."
Katy Zillmer can be reached at kzillmer@lillienews.com or at 651-748-7822.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
At a press conference today, Minnesota legislative GOP leaders reacted to a DFL budget plan that adopts 85% of Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposed cuts. The proposal also adds a modest tax increase on taxpayers whose income, after deductions and credits, is over $200,000 per year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Af61vTqNjg&feature=player_profilepage
From MN Senate DFL Caucus YouTube page.
From MN Senate DFL Caucus YouTube page.
Friday, February 11, 2011
CD4 Central Committee February Meeting
We will be meeting at the Sunray Library at 7 p.m. Generally the committee meets the 2nd Monday of the month at the same location and time. Contact Beth Jensen elizabethcljensen@gmail.com if you have more questions.
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