Thursday, January 12, 2017

Triple-Header.  Tuesdays and Thursdays will be triple-headers on the schedules of education lobbyists this session, with the House Education Innovation Policy Committee meeting at 8:15 AM, the House Education Finance Committee meeting at 1:00 PM, and the Senate Education Policy Committee meeting at 4:00.  There are also floor sessions in both the House and Senate on Thursdays as well, so things are hopping all day long.

The House Education Innovation Policy Committee received an outline of the committee's jurisdiction and the description of the duties of a variety of education-related boards and commissions this morning from new House education counsel Cristina Parra.  Ms. Parra is replacing long-time House education counsel Lisa Larson who held the position for 30 years.  The committee also heard from several education groups that did not testify during Tuesday's hearing.

The House Education Finance Committee held a joint hearing with the House Education Innovation Policy Committee in one of the new Capitol hearing rooms in the early afternoon.  If this room is any indication, the refurbished Capitol hearing rooms are fantastic.  The agenda consisted entirely of Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius giving a status report on a number of initiatives that the Legislature passed last biennium.

Senate Education Policy Chair Eric Pratt's committee took more testimony from education stakeholders.  I provided SEE's testimony on Tuesday and there were a lot of common themes coming from most education groups:  (1) teacher shortage, (2) other teacher licensure issues, and (3) greater flexibility for school districts.

Given the schedule, I couldn't get over to the MSBA convention today.  Hopefully, the weather won't stall my car and I can see a lot of SEE folks tomorrow morning.

Recommendations of Legislative Study Group on Teacher Licensing.  The report and recommendations are complete and the document will be presented next Tuesday in the House Education Innovation Policy Committee.  I wish I could figure out how to post it here, but I should be able to get it out to everyone by the weekend.

BILL INTRODUCTIONS

House

Wednesday Introductions





Thursday Introductions


Senate

Wednesday Introductions



Thursday Introductions



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