Gubernatorial candidates addressed priorities of the statewide business community at an August 17 debate at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa: (from left), Republican Tom Emmer, DFLer Mark Dayton, Independence Party candidate Tom Horner. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attend the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The winning foursome from the 2010 golf tournament held in Duluth at Northland Country Club. From left to right: Rebecca Klett, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., Tom Reinhart, Kwik Trip, Inc., Steve Lasky, Dairy Queen and Nate Mussell, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. Nearly 60 alumni from Leadership Minnesota toured the Prairie Island nuclear power plant in Red Wing. The program, exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber, provides an inside look at the state's changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attended the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event coincided with the release of the report, “Enterprising States,” which highlights successful state strategies for job creation and economic growth. Businesses leaders provide feedback on Minnesota Chamber legislative initiatives during a regional policy session in Bloomington.

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Legislative Bill Tracker - 2010

Policy Areas:

Civil Justice

Education

Elections

Energy

Environment and Natural Resources

Federal Issue: Employee Free Choice Act

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Immigration

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Education

Alternative teacher certification
Summary: This bill provides an alternative route for individuals who have gone through rigorous teaching programs – i.e. Teach for America, St. Paul Teaching Fellows – to become certified to teach in Minnesota.
HF 3093; Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul             more info
SF 2811; Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka             more info
House Status: Referred to K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee
Senate Status: Referred to Education Committee
Call to Action: We support. Studies document that students placed with high-performing teachers progress three times faster than students placed with low-performing teachers.

Alternative teacher certification – State Board
Summary: This bill requires the State Board of Teaching to adopt rules for approving programs that allow qualified teacher candidates to teach in Minnesota classrooms. It lays out specific requirements that the Board of Teaching must include in the rules developed.
HF 3074; Linda Slocum, DFL-Richfield             more info
SF 2757; Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka             more info
House Status: Referred to K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee
Senate Status: Referred to Education Committee
Call to Action: We support. Studies show that second to parents, the quality of teachers is the top predictor of student success. This bill would help to get the most qualified candidate into every classroom.

Board of Teaching authority
Summary: This bill would prohibit the State Board of Teaching from adopting alternative pathways for teacher licensure.
HF 2703; Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville             more info
SF 2482; Chuck Wiger, DFL-Maplewood             more info
House Status: Passed K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee, and referred to State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee
Senate Status: Referred to Education Committee
Call to Action: We oppose. It's important to find ways to place the most qualified teachers in every classroom.

Computer-adaptive assessments
Summary: This bill would restrict the designing of tests in the future.
HF 3043; Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch             more info
No companion bill; 
House Status: N/A
Senate Status: K-12 Education Finance Division
Call to Action: We oppose. Without knowing the requirements of states that are granted the Race to the Top money, we do not want to put Minnesota in a situation that harms the application. We believe there needs to be as much flexibility in test development as possible so the Minnesota Department of Education can meet the needs of both state standards and possible federal standards.

Teacher contract deadline
Summary: This bill would remove the deadline and penalty for school districts to settle teacher contracts.
No companion bill; 
SF 2683; Geoff Michel, R-Edina             more info
House Status: N/A
Senate Status: Referred to Education Committee
Call to Action: We support. The current deadline and penalty give teachers unions more bargaining power than school districts have, because teachers are able to strike in the middle of a school year when students should be their main focus. Repealing the existing law will level the playing field for teacher contract negotiations.

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