Today’s only the 14th day of the 2012 legislative session and already, so much has happened. Only a fraction of the 200 bills proposed this session survived last week’s committee vote deadlines.

This week, we’ll be keeping up the rapid pace. Most legislation will need its first floor vote this week to keep moving.

Get Involved/Stay Informed:

• The House Higher Education Committee is having informational hearings on two bills we care about – and this is a great chance to show your support! On Tuesday, February 21st, the committee will hear the Oregon Education Investment Board Legislation (SB 1581) starting at 3:00 PM in Hearing Room F. At 4:30, they’ll open a hearing on Tuition Equity. Stand leaders, members, and staff will be testifying in support of these two bills.
• Susan Nielsen’s Editorial on Thursday, February 16th calls on Oregon to tackle the tough and important education issues before getting a waiver from NCLB. She makes some great points, and her perspective is worth reading.

UPDATES ON STAND FOR CHILDREN'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

K-12 School Budget:  After what’s been a very quiet month for the budget (in incredibly tough times), there was a little dust-up this week. However, it looks like K-12 education funding will remain unchanged and the state reserves probably won’t be spent down more than ~$10 million. Here’s some recent news coverage:

Tap reserves to prevent prison closures, other cuts, Gov. John Kitzhaber asks Oregon budget writers, The Oregonian

Governor releases budget counterproposal, Salem Statesman Journal

Kicker Reform (SJR 202): After an impressive public hearing on February 10th in the Senate Revenue Committee (where Stand and many other organizations testified in support of the proposed kicker reform measure), it appears that the legislation is dead for this session.

Governor’s Education Reform legislation (SB 1581): This legislation is awaiting a hearing in the Ways & Means Education Subcommittee. In the meantime, the House Higher Education Committee is holding an informational hearing on Tuesday, February 21st at 3:00 PM in Hearing Room F. David Sarasohn had an editorial in the Oregonian on Saturday calling for additional funding to reach the 40-40-20 goals.

As the legislature considers Achievement Compact legislation, the OEIB is designing what the Compacts will look like. The Oregon Education Investment Board’s Achievement Compact subcommittee will hold its 2nd of 3 meetings on Friday, February 24th from 2:30-4:30 PM in the DAS West Building, 155 Cottage Street, NE, Salem, OR 97301, Conference Room A. Their 3rd meeting isn’t scheduled yet. After they develop the Compact, it will go to an Advisory Committee for final say (and Stand will have a representative on that committee). It will be important that the Compacts prioritize a small number of key metrics that are comparable across school districts.

Teacher & Principal Evaluation (HB 4102): This bill number is officially dead. No updates at this time.

Class Size Reporting (HB 4161): This bill number is officially dead. No updates at this time.

Tuition Equity – The Tuition Equity hearing has been moved to immediately follow the informational hearing on SB 1581. The House Higher Education Committee will hear Tuition Equity on Tuesday, February 21st, 4:30 PM in Hearing Room F. Testifiers will include Stand Leader Dena Hellums and one of her students, Stand Staff Adriana Rodriguez, and Stand Beat the Odds Scholarship Recipient Edith Gomez.

OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST

Governor’s Early Learning Legislation (HB 4165) – This legislation passed out of the House Human Services Committee (with some minor amendments) and is now in Ways & Means.

Autism Treatment Insurance Coverage (SB 1568): This bill number is officially dead. No updates at this time.  

Mandatory Reporting (HB 4016): This legislation passed the House Education Committee unanimously on February 14th, and passed the House floor 56-0 on February 16th. Now the legislation is headed to the Senate Education Committee in its amended form.