Citizen Advocacy Tool Kit

Legislative Action Committee
Citizen Advocacy Tool Kit
2012 Legislative Session
Table of Contents
 Overview of Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee
(LAC) – Page 3
 2012 LAC Legislative Platform - Pg 4
 Contact Information for Area Legislators – Pg 6
 Schedules for House and Senate Education Committees – Pg 8
 Citizen Advocacy: How to Get Involved – Pg 9
 Staying Informed on Legislative Issues – Pg 10
 Tips for Contacting Legislators – Pg 11
 Guide to Legislative Jargon – Pg 12
 Come to the Capitol: Information on Parking and Directions – Pg 14
 Map of Legislative Districts Included in Boundary of Wayzata
Public Schools – Pg 15
2
Overview of Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action
Committee
The Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is a group of citizens that
monitors legislative activity as it affects E-12 education and advocates positions on behalf of the
district. The LAC is supported by the school board and district administration. The LAC is
charged by the school board with the following responsibilities:
 Make recommendations to the board regarding the legislative platform
 Work to build positive relationships with legislators for the district
 Report to the community regarding legislative issues
 Determine strategies and tactics for legislative advocacy
Committee members include parents, community members and representatives from the district.
The committee meets monthly, usually on the second Wednesday of the month in the board room
of the district’s Administration Building. Current members of the Wayzata LAC include the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sarah Johansen, Citizen Chair
Katie Rodriguez, Citizen co-chair
John Moroz, Board representative
Sue Droegemueller, Board alternate
Amy Parnell, Staff liaison and director of communication
Chace Anderson, Superintendent
Jodi Olson, Wayzata Education Association president
Zohka Tridane, Birchview representative
Maureen English-Carroll, WMS/WHS representative
Andrea Cuene, Greenwood/CMS representative
Dean Eyler, Oakwood representative
Karin Cotter, EMS representative
Nina Perdue, Sunset Hill representative
Cathie Lorenz, CMS/WHS representative
Jackie Layton, WHS representative
Monica Dawson, community/parent representative
Lynn Stranghoener, community/parent representative
Brenda Heim, IOCP/Caring for Kids Initiative community representative
Additional information on the Wayzata LAC is available on the district’s website at
www.wayzata.k12.mn.us under the “Involvement” section. For more information about the
Wayzata Public Schools LAC, contact Amy Parnell, director of communication and staff liaison
to the committee, 763-745-5068, [email protected].
3
Long-term Priorities
We urge the Governor and Legislature to lead a broad cross-section of
stakeholders in a process to develop the desired future for E-12 education
that promotes innovation, reform and transformational change. The items
below are meant to stimulate thinking on needed change and a clearly
articulated vision for the future.
• Reform E-12 education funding system to provide
adequate and stable funding, fully fund the basic
instructional needs of all students, and reduce the
dependence on operating levies to fund district
operations
• Allow local school boards to generate and spend
financial resources to best meet local needs
• Continue to support the teacher alternative
compensation (QComp) program and explore
other innovative strategies to build the skills of all
teachers
• Recognize the reality of higher labor costs in the
metro area and implement the location equity
index or similar provision to help districts pay for
these increased costs
• Reduce administrative mandates that create
•
inefficiencies and address the maintenance of
effort provision on special education to allow
more local control
Encourage and reward innovative reform
initiatives that focus on better meeting the needs
of all students and closing the achievement gap
• Invest more in our state’s youngest learners by
increasing funding for programs and services
for children ages birth-K and their families; and
allow flexibility for districts to direct other funding
toward early childhood programs
For more information visit the LAC page
at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us under Involvement
The 2012 Legislative Platform was approved by the Wayzata Public Schools
Board and its Legislative Action Committee (LAC)
2012
Legislative Platform
The mission of Wayzata Public Schools is to
ensure a world-class education that prepares
each and every student to thrive today and excel
tomorrow in an ever-changing global society
District Vision
The vision of Wayzata Public Schools is to be a model of excellence
where all students discover their unique talents, develop a love and
tenacity for learning and demonstrate confidence and capacity for
success through:
• Exceptional student learning,
experiences and relationships
• Community trust,
confidence and partnership
• Operational excellence
Short-term Priorities
For the 2012 Legislative Session, we urge the Legislature and
Governor to:
• Support legislation to preserve E-12 education
funding and make investment in students a top
priority for Minnesota
It is essential for the Legislature to create a long-term strategic vision
for E-12 education in Minnesota, including short-term problem
solving and long-term planning.
To that end, the Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action
Committee (LAC) has organized its 2012 Legislative Platform in two
sections: short-term priorities, as well as priorities for the state’s longterm E-12 education vision.
• Develop a plan to reimburse Minnesota public
school districts for the state aid payment shift
• Support legislation to allow districts the maximum
flexibility in establishing a school-year calendar
that provides for year-round learning opportunities
• Invest in the state’s youngest learners by
supporting legislation that allows the district
the flexibility to use early childhood and all-day
kindergarten funding to most effectively serve
early childhood children and families
• Reduce the need for school districts to pay for
the excess cost of special education programs
by having the state pay its full share of special
education costs
Contact Information for Area Legislators
Senator Warren Limmer – District 32
Minnesota State Senate
122 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-2159
[email protected]
Committees
 Judiciary and Public Safety, Chair
 Local Government and Elections
 Rules and Administration
 Taxes
Senator Gen Olson – District 33
Minnesota State Senate
235 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-1282
[email protected]
Committees
 Education, Chair
 Finance
 State Government Innovation and
Veterans
Senator Terri Bonoff – District 43
Minnesota State Senate
133 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-4314
[email protected]
Committees
 Education
 Commerce and Consumer Protection
 Finance
Representative Joyce Peppin – District 32A
Minnesota House of Representatives
503 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-7806
[email protected]
Committees
 Government Operations and Elections,
Chair
 Civil Law
 Legacy Funding Division
 Rules and Legislative Administration
Representative Kurt Zellers – District 32B
Minnesota House of Representatives
463 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-5502
[email protected]
Committees
Representative Zellers serves as the
Speaker of the House and does not serve as
a member of any committees.
Continued on page 7
6
Continued from page 6
Representative Steve Smith – District 33A
Minnesota House of Representatives
543 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-9188
[email protected]
Committees
 Judiciary Policy and Finance
 Public Safety and Crime Prevention
Policy and Finance
 Ways and Means
Representative Connie Doepke – District 33B
Minnesota House of Representatives
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-4315
[email protected]
Committees
 Education Reform, Vice Chair
 Higher Education Policy and Finance
 Taxes
Representative Sarah Anderson – District 43A
Minnesota House of Representatives
549 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-5511
[email protected]
Committees
 Redistricting, Chair
 Commerce and Regulatory Reform
 Rules and Legislative Administration
 Taxes
 Ways and Means
Representative John Benson – District 43B
Minnesota House of Representatives
289 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul MN 55155
651-296-9934
[email protected]
Committees
 Education Reform
 Property and Local Tax Division
 Rules and Legislative Administration
7
Schedules for House and Senate Education Committees
The following are the regular schedules of the House and Senate education-related committees.
• House Education Reform Committee, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:15-10 a.m.,
Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
• House Education Finance Committee, meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:302:15 p.m., room 5, State Office Building
• Senate Education Committee, meets Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.,
room 15, State Capitol
Even though the meetings listed on the schedule are standing dates, it is always wise to check the
schedule prior to attending to see if changes have been made. Daily committee schedules are
available at www.house.leg.state.mn.us and www.senate.leg.state.mn.us, or by calling the House
Public Information Office, 651-296-2146, or the Senate Public Information Office, 651-2960504.
You can also subscribe to regular updates that include committee schedules and agendas. These
updates are a great way to keep track of committee activity. Follow the instructions below to
sign up:
House – go to www.house.leg.state.mn.us
• Click on “House Mailing Lists”
• Then click on “House Schedule”
• Type in your email address
Senate – go to www.senate.leg.state.mn.us
• Click on “Minnesota Senate Email List Subscription Form
• Select “Subscribe”
• Under “Select List”, click on “Senate Schedules”
• Type in your email address
8
Citizen Advocacy: How to Get Involved
Parents and citizens play an important role in the legislative process. When legislators are
considering legislation that affects education, it is critical that they understand how each piece of
legislation affects local school districts. It is also important for them to know how their
decisions may affect people who they represent.
Parents can help legislators understand the real-world impact of their votes. Legislators are
bombarded with facts and figures, but do not always hear how individuals are affected. By
getting involved in the legislative process, parents can help share the “personal” side of
education policy issues.
Here are three simple steps that will help you get involved in advocating for public education and
issues that affect Wayzata Public Schools:
 Build relationships with local legislators – It is important that local citizens know who
represents them in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives. Once you know
who represents you, introduce yourself by attending a local event, calling their office,
sending an email or visiting them in their office. The process of working with legislators is
much less intimidating if legislators know you.
 Get informed and stay informed – Issues that affect public education can be complicated.
Even though you probably know a great deal about the school district, more information is
always available. You can call the school district with questions about issues or check the
district’s website.
 Take action – When an issue arises that concerns you, it is important to let your legislators
know your position. Sharing your thoughts with a legislator by a phone call, email, letter or
in person is a great way to connect.
9
Staying Informed on Legislative Issues
Wayzata Public Schools website is one source of information about issues important to the
district. The website, www.wayzata.k12.mn.us, includes the following:
 Information on the LAC including contact information for legislators
 Updates on important K-12 developments at the Legislature
 Links to important news items in the district
 Regular updates from the LAC
The best sources of information about what is happening at the Legislature are the House and
Senate websites. Information on these sites, www.house.leg.state.mn.us and
www.senate.leg.state.mn.us, includes the following:
 Agendas and schedules for education-related committees
 Complete contact information for all legislators
 Summary information on bills introduced in the Legislature
 Daily and weekly summaries of legislative activity
 Answers to frequently-asked questions
 Directions to the Capitol
Through the website, you can also sign up for email updates including committee schedules.
If you do not have access to the website, legislative information is available by telephone, mail
or in person at the Capitol.
 To find out more about these resources in the House of Representatives, contact the House
Public Information Office at 651-296-2146
 To find out more about these resources in the Senate, contact the Senate Public Information
Office at 651-296-0504
10
Tips for Contacting Legislators
Letters, e-mails, and telephone calls – especially from voters in a legislator’s own district – really
count. Every legislator has a story of how a seemingly small number of calls or letters –
sometimes only one – made the difference on an issue.
When communicating in general:
 State your purpose at the outset. Be constructive and suggest solutions or better
alternatives.
 Use specific facts and examples to illustrate your point. You are an expert on what is
happening with your child and your local schools. Legislators want to know how their
votes affect constituents.
 Don’t assume that legislators are as well informed as you are about a problem, issue, or bill.
Legislators keep track of many subjects in addition to K-12 education.
 Letters or calls about a specific piece of legislation should include the bill number. If your
legislator is an author of the bill, acknowledge it.
When communicating in writing (letter or e-mail):
 Be brief, but do not sacrifice clarity and completeness. A one-page letter or three or four
paragraph email on a single topic is best.
 Be certain that your name and address are on the envelope and letter. Type or write legibly.
In e-mail, also include your full name, address, and telephone number.
 Addressing correspondence to legislators requires particular etiquette. Address them as
“Representative” or “Senator” on the envelope, the inside address, and in the salutation.
When calling on the telephone:
 Identify yourself to the person who answers the phone. Be sure to say that you are a
Wayzata Public Schools resident and a constituent in the legislator’s district.
 If the legislator is unavailable, give the staff member your message. The legislator will
know that you called.
11
Guide to Legislative Jargon
Below is a guide to terms that are frequently used in the legislative process.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Amend: The action a legislator takes to change or propose a change in a bill, motion, report
or even another amendment by adding, removing or altering language.
Bicameral: A legislature containing two houses, such as the Minnesota Legislature with the
House and Senate.
Biennium: The two-year period by which the state budget is set. Money is appropriated for a
two-year budget cycle during the odd-numbered years. The fiscal biennium runs from July 1
in an odd-numbered year to June 30 in the next odd-numbered year.
Bill: A proposal calling for a new law, a change in current law, the repeal of current law, or a
constitutional amendment. It consists of a title, enacting clause and body (text), which is
examined and approved by the revisor of statutes.
Calendar: A list of bills that have passed General Orders and are awaiting their third
reading, or final passage, in either the House or the Senate.
Caucus: A group of legislative members of the same political party and same legislative
body such as the “House DFL Caucus,” the “Senate Republican Caucus.”
Chief Author: The main author or sponsor of a bill.
Committee of the Whole: All members of a legislative body acting as a committee to debate
and/or amend bills on General Orders.
Companion bills: Identical bills introduced in the House and Senate.
Concurrence: Action in which one body approves or adopts a proposal or action taken by
the other body.
Conference committee: A group of six or 10 members, with equal numbers from the House
and Senate, who are appointed to reach a compromise between the House and Senate
versions of a bill.
Conference committee report: Language of a bill as agreed upon by a conference
committee.
Consent calendar: A list of non-controversial bills that are ready for a second reading.
These bills bypass the Committee of the Whole and can receive final passage in one day.
Final passage: The vote taken on a bill after its third reading, requiring approval by a
majority of all elected members of the legislature.
First reading: The reporting of a bill to the body at the time of its introduction and referral
to committee.
General Orders: A list of bills that have had second readings and may be debated and/or
amended by the body acting as the Committee of the Whole.
Journals: Refers to either the Journal of the Senate or the Journal of the House, which are
the official records of the respective bodies.
Legislative intent: What the Legislature really meant when it approved a specific law.
Majority: The party that has the most members elected in either the House or the Senate.
Continued on page 13
12
Continued from page 1 2
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Minority: The party that has the fewest members elected in either the House or Senate.
New language: The language in a bill that is added, or proposed to be added, to existing state
law. New language in bills is always underlined.
Omnibus: A term used to describe tax, education, appropriations and other bills that contain
many different proposals.
Page: A person employed by the House or Senate to run errands, to assist committees and to
perform a variety of other legislative tasks.
Repeal: To eliminate a law, or section of a law, by an act of the legislature.
Second reading: Reporting of a bill to the body, following the adoption of the committee
report, that places it on General Orders or the Consent Calendar.
Sponsor: A chief author or co-author of a bill.
Stricken language: Language that is proposed to be eliminated from existing state law.
Stricken language in bills is always crossed out.
Veto: The constitutional power of the governor to refuse to sign a bill, thus preventing it
from becoming law unless it is passed again (with a two-thirds majority) by both houses of
the legislature.
Veto, line item: The power or action of the governor, rejecting a portion or portions of an
appropriations bill while approving the rest.
13
MHR
MINNESOTA HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Come to the Capitol
Directions, Parking, Visiting the Legislature, Tours, Dining
Directions
The State Capitol Complex is north of
Interstate 94, just minutes from downtown
St. Paul. It is accessible from the east and west on
I-94, and from the north and south on Interstate
35E.
• I-94 eastbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn left.
Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right.
• I-94 westbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn
right. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right.
• I-35E northbound: Exit at Kellogg Boulevard.
Turn left. Go to John Ireland Boulevard and
turn right.
• I-35E southbound: Exit at University Avenue.
Turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn left.
P
Sherburne Ave.
Administration
LOT
LOT
State Capitol
P
Visiting the Legislature
During session, all House and Senate floor
sessions are open to the public. No pass is required
for spectators to sit in the galleries of either chamber.
The House usually meets at 3 p.m. Monday and
Thursday, and the Senate generally meets at 11 a.m.
Monday and Thursday during the first few weeks
of session. As the session nears the end, however,
LOT
P
Aurora Ave.
Aurora Ave.
State
Office
P
P
Sears
Customer
Parking
LOT
P
Parking
Public metered parking is available in Lot Q,
north of the Capitol at Cedar Street and Sherburne
Avenue; Lot AA, across Rice Street from the State
Office Building on Aurora Avenue; Lot F, directly
behind the Transportation Building; Lot H, west
of the Veterans Service Building; Lot K, across
from the Armory on Cedar Street (enter from
12th Street); Lot L, east of the Judicial Center; in
the 14th Street Lot at the corner of North Robert
Street and 14th Street; and on the orange level of the
Centennial Office Building Ramp at Cedar Street
and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
During the interim there are a few metered parking
spots in front of the Capitol along Aurora Avenue.
Capitol Security personnel will issue tickets for
expired meters.
All-day parking permits are available from
Plant Management on the ground floor of
the Administration Building at 50 Sherburne
Ave., north of the Capitol, across University
Avenue. Cash or checks are accepted. For more
information, call 651-201-2300.
Outdoor disability parking is available in most
public lots within the State Capitol Complex.
However, most spots can be found in Lot N and
Lot F. Disability parking is also available on the
orange level of the Centennial Office Parking
Ramp and in the 14th Street Lot.
The main disability entrance to the Capitol is
on the northwest side of the building just off Lot
N. There also are drop-off entrances on the south
side under the front steps on the south side and
on the northeast side of the building.
NORTH
LOT
Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.
LOT
Kelly
Inn
LOT
P
P
LOT
I-94
I-94
Minnesota State Capitol Complex
Minnesota
History Center
St. Paul, Minnesota
History
Center
Parking
Building Locations and Parking
P denotes public metered parking section within lot
Centennial Ramp public parking on Orange Level only
Edited map courtesy Minnesota Department of Administration, Plant Management Division
both bodies may meet several times a week, often
into the night.
Visitors interested in observing these sessions
may call House Public Information Services
at 651-296-2146 or Senate Information at
651-296-0504 with questions.
Committee meetings are open to the public,
as well. Visitors wanting to attend a committee
meeting can access committee information
through the Legislature’s website at www.leg.mn.
House meeting schedules are available by calling
651-296-9283.
If group members want to meet with their
individual legislators or testify before a committee,
arrangements should be made at least a week in
advance.
For information on reserving a room for group
conferences, call the State Office Building room
scheduler at 651-296-0306 or the Capitol room
scheduler at 651-296-0866.
Tours
Tours of the Capitol are offered through the
Capitol Historic Site Program of the Minnesota
Historical Society.
Tour guides lead the 45-minute tours on the
hour Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and
2 p.m.; Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (last
tour leaves at 2 p.m.); and Sunday between 1 p.m.
and 4 p.m. (last tour leaves at 3 p.m.). The tours
begin at the Capitol information desk. Brochures
in about 20 foreign languages also are available
there.
Tour rates vary. Generally, 45-minute tours for
drop-in visitors to the Capitol are free of charge.
The society offers a number of specialized tours
for educational groups ranging from pre-school
students to high school seniors. Also, special
tour events are scheduled throughout the year.
A special events guide is available upon request.
For more information about the tours and fees
or to make a reservation, call the Capitol Historic
Site Program at 651-296-2881.
Dining
Year-round cafeterias can be found on the
ground floor of the Transportation, Centennial
and Stassen buildings, as well as the Judicial Center.
The Rathskeller in the State Capitol is open only
when the Legislature is in session.
House Public Information Services Office • 175 State Office Building • St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 • 651-296-2146
2/24/11
This document can be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities by calling 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550 toll-free (voice); or the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or
800-627-3529 (TTY).
Wayzata Public School District boundary with legislative districts