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Health & Fitness

Who Should Run Our Schools?

Who should run our schools: mayors or school boards? That's one of the topics expected to come up for a vote this week. School start dates, synthetic drugs, and stadiums may also be on the agenda.

Who should run our schools: mayors or school boards?  That's one of the topics expected to come up for a vote this week in the Minnesota House.  School start dates, synthetic drugs, and stadiums may also be on the agenda. 

MAYORS TO RUN SCHOOLS?  We will likely vote on legislation this week that authorizes the mayor of Minneapolis or St. Paul to take over governance of the school district if he submits written notice of intent to do so, holds a public meeting within the district seeking public comment, and develops and publishes a plan for governing the district.  Under the legislation, the mayor may govern the district for 10 consecutive years.  I'm not sure if proponents of this legislation are looking to eventually expand this concept to non-urban schools or not.   

SCHOOL START DATE.  There is a bill before the House this week that would allow school to start before Labor Day.  As it stands, the bill only applies to districts impacted by a natural disaster.  However, I expect an amendment to be offered that would enable all school districts to start classes before Labor Day.     

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SYNTHETIC DRUG LEGISLATION.  Minnesota, like other states, is facing a rapidly growing problem with synthetic drug manufacturing and dealing.  To avoid prosecution, drug dealers are now selling synthetic drugs with exactly the same impact on the user as illegal drugs, but with slightly different molecular structures.  HF2508, which addresses this growing drug problem, is expected to come up for a vote this week.  I am one of the authors of this bill. 

CAPITOL CASH UPDATE.  I continue to be deeply concerned about a proposal by Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker), Chairman of the House Capital Investment Committee, to spend $240 million on repairs and renovations of the State Capitol building, when we still don't have plans, specs or bids for the project.  I am meeting soon with a member of the Capitol Area Architectural Board to discuss it further. 

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STADIUM STALLED.  Several things would need to come together for a stadium bill to have chance of passage this session: 1) either the Minneapolis City Council would need to need to express firm support, or another site would need to emerge, 2) a funding source that does not rely on the general fund in any way would need to be agreed upon, and 3) a deal would need to be reached with charitable gambling organizations on allocation of electronic pulltab revenues. 

THE "OTHER" STADIUM.  The City of St. Paul is seeking funds for a new stadium for the St. Paul Saints.  Unlike the Vikings stadium, this legislation seems to be quietly and methodically gaining support on both sides of the aisle. 

REMINDER.  There is a technology levy referendum on Tuesday, March 27.  More info can be found at: http://www.invergrove.k12.mn.us/techlevy 

I welcome feedback on these or other legislative issues.  Please comment below, call me at (651) 296-4192, or email me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn.  You can also weigh in on some of the topics above in a new survey at www.JoeAtkins.com.

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