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Pending Legislation. 4/21/11. Budget. Both chambers have passed budgets, we await conference to bring them into compliance with one another. Both budgets include cuts to K-12 education of over 6% from the current year.
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Pending Legislation 4/21/11
Budget • Both chambers have passed budgets, we await conference to bring them into compliance with one another. • Both budgets include cuts to K-12 education of over 6% from the current year. • A portion of the cut to the district is off-set in each budget by directly taxing employees for retirement. • The remaining cut will need to be balanced by cutting the current MDCPS budget. (layoffs, furloughs, salary roll-backs, etc.)
RetirementSB 2100(Budget)/ HB 1405 (Workman) • Both bills have passed their respective chambers, they differ and therefore will be part of the Conference process. • These bills are directly tied to how they balance the budget and give tax breaks to others while instituting an income tax (contribution) on public employees. • % of tax, flat vs. progressive tax rate, continuation of DROP, etc.
Class SizeSB 1466 (Simmons) & 2120/ HB 5101 • Redefines “Core Classes” and provides statutory flexibility that did not pass in November as a change to Constitutional requirements. • No house companion to 1466, but the issue has been included in budget implementing bills in both chambers. • Implementing bills are a version of a “Train” for anything that can be directly linked to budget.
Dues DeductionSB 830 (Thrasher)/HB 1021 (Dorworth) • 1021 passed the House and is in Senate Messages. • 830 was amended and is on the Senate Calendar, 2nd reading. • Senate could take up either version or neither, depending on whether they have votes. • If they pass 830, as amended, it would return to House for another vote.
<50% DecertificationHB 1023 (Plakon) • No Senate Companion. • 1021 in House Government Operations Committee. • Current situation makes it unlikely to pass, but monitoring to see if they try to add it to another bill referred to as a “Train” • By rules, it would need to be germane to the other bill, but the current majorities allow for rule waivers, etc.
Anytime Decertification OptionSB 1720(Hays)/HB 1025(Brodeur) • No action thus far on 1720 • 1025 is in House Government Operations Committee • Current situation makes it unlikely to pass, but monitoring to see if they try to add it to another bill referred to as a “Train” • By rules, it would need to be germane to the other bill, but the current majorities allow for rule waivers, etc.
Expansion of CTC VouchersSB 1388 (Flores)/ HB 965 (Horner) • Expands the list of companies that can divert tax dollars to Corporate Tax Credit (CTC) scholarships. • Provides access to CTC groups to solicit diversion of tax dollars. • Maintains the public records exemption preventing the public from knowing who diverts tax dollars to these organizations. • 1388 on Budget Committee agenda 4/25 • 965 on House Calendar, 2nd Reading
Church/State SeparationSB 1218(Altman)/ HB 1471 (Plakon) • Constitutional Amendment to change the state’s establishment clause • Would remove a significant hurdle to the further expansion of vouchers • 1218 in Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee • 1471 on House Calendar, 2nd Reading • If passed will be on ballot in November 2012 unless another bill is passed to schedule a special election
State Revenue Limitation (Constitution)(Sometime referred to as TABOR)SB 958 / HB 7221 • 958 passed Senate and is in House messages • 7221 on House Calendar, 2nd Reading • House can take up either version • Likely they will just take up 958 and pass it • Would be on ballot in November 2012, unless another bill passes to schedule a special election