This week the house passed a public safety finance bill which, along with the senate version will be worked on in committee soon. The house also passed a funding package for jobs and housing that “includes funding for jobs, economic development and housing programs through several state agencies. The bill would temporarily increase the workforce development fee paid by employers and use the money for several new and existing employment programs, including a wage subsidy similar to the Minnesota Emergency Employment Development program of the early 1980s”.

Finally, the Early childhood finance omnibus bill also passed the house.

The omnibus early childhood finance bill was passed 84-47 by the House after a debate that featured 11 amendments offered by Republicans, just one of which was adopted. (Watch)

The bill’s short life ends here, however, as its provisions are expected to be divided in conference committee between the K-12 education finance and health and human services omnibus bills. Some early childhood programs are funded through each channel.

Its sponsor, Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood), said HF2088 addresses “three overarching goals” the division has maintained through the session: getting an early start on closing the achievement gap, increasing child care quality and readying children for kindergarten.

While most Republicans believe in those broad goals, they have different priorities about how best to target programs and funds to the most at-risk children, and prefer to direct funds to strengthen children within the context of their families over state-run programs.

Check the above link to see who voted for and against the bill.

The House Early Childhood Education Finance and Policy Division liked a proposal to create an inventory of early childhood services.

The division approved HF2028, sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood), as amended and sent it to the House floor. Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls) sponsors a companion, SF1797, which awaits action by the full Senate.

The State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care would gather comprehensive information about health care, education and human service programs serving children age 5 and younger. It would suggest budget allocations toward outcome areas to help the Legislature and executive branch plan coordinated services.

Slawik intends the proposal as an adjunct to HF641, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Peterson (DFL-New Hope), to create an Office of Early Learning that would coordinate a high quality early childhood system. Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) sponsors its companion, SF487, which awaits action by the Senate E-12 Budget and Policy Division.