This week at the Capitol, the Health and Human Services Conference Committee finished their work, the House E-12 Education Budget bill passed the full House, and the conference committee report for the Omnibus Early Childhood Policy bill passed both bodies. While it feels like a lot happened this week, it seems we’re at virtually the same place as we were last week in terms of budget negotiations.
The Health and Human Services Conference Committee met throughout the past weekend late into the night, and wrapped up their bill Wednesday morning at 2am. Child care was in play up to the last budget offer, with its funding being pitted against other worthwhile budget areas, but in the end, the House position prevailed and no permanent cuts to child care were made. The final bill did include using the $7.5 million of “underspending” in the Basic Sliding Fee child care program, but it’s a one-time cut that will not result in families being kicked out of programs. Rep. Nora Slawik is owed a lot of credit for holding the line against permanent cuts.
Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the HHS bill, adding yet another issue to be dealt with in the waning days of the 2010 Legislative Session. Read his veto message here.
Even though education budget bills have passed both bodies, the differences between the House and Senate bills seem impossible to resolve in the next two days, and it is unlikely that a conference committee will be appointed. There is of course the matter of the K-12 funding shift, which could end up in a separate final budget package as well.
We have some initial indications that the Governor may indeed sign the Early Childhood Policy bill. The conference committee report passed by wide margins with bipartisan support in both bodies, and we can expect action on the bill today or tomorrow. Follow Ready 4 K on Twitter for breaking news on the bill. Our Omnibus Bill Tracker includes a summary of the provisions in the bill.
As we head into the final weekend of the Session, much is still unknown. Closed-door negotiations are taking place, with key legislators making appearances in the Governor’s office at times. Even though the Governor is at his Fishing Opener today and tomorrow, his staff and Republican leaders continue to meet with DFLers to hammer out a deal. Because it’s the second year of the legislative session, they cannot pass bills on Monday, the final day, so we expect a solution to emerge by Sunday. There is speculation that this may not happen, which would likely mean that legislators would be called back for a special session. And given that all 201 legislators are up re-election, this is not an attractive prospect.
Look for an end-of-session summary the early part of next week. And thank you for all you’ve done this year. Early care and education certainly wouldn’t faired as it has thus far without your support!
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