Citizen Advocacy Toolkit

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  Contact Information for Area Legislators – Pg 4  Schedules for House and Senate Education Committees – Pg 6  Citizen Advocacy: How to Get Involved – Pg 7  Staying Informed on Legislative Issues – Pg 8  Tips for Contacting Legislators – Pg 9  Guide to Legislative Jargon – Pg 10  Come to the Capitol: Information on Parking and Directions – Pg 12  Map of Legislative Districts Included in Boundary of Wayzata Public Schools – Pg 13

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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, Amy.Parnell@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

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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 sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn

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 sen.gen.olson@senate.mn

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 sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn

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 rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn

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 rep.kurt.zellers@house.mn

Committees Representative Zellers also serves as the Speaker of the House and does not serve as a member of any committees.

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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 rep.steve.smith@house.mn

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 rep.connie.doepke@house.mn

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 rep.sarah.anderson@house.mn

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 rep.john.benson@house.mn

Committees  Education Reform  Property and Local Tax Division  Rules and Legislative Administration

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Continued from page 10 • • • • • • • • • •

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.

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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