Two great pieces up today at MN2020.org.
First, John Van Hecke’s weekly Journal tackles the politics of distraction during tough budget times.
Second, Duluth East High School principal Laurie Knapp shows how “No Child Left Behind” sets students up for failure.
Today at MN2020.org, David Greenwood-Sanchez looks at more fee dollars not used for their intended purpose:
Minnesota’s various health-related boards collectively serve to promote the health, safety, and welfare of Minnesotans through careful regulation. These 15 boards cover a wide spectrum of health-related disciplines such as nursing, psychology, veterinary medicine, social work, and marriage & family therapy. Funding for these boards comes from various licensing fees imposed on individual practitioners, and the fee revenue is pooled together as a sub-fund within the State Government Special Revenue Fund to be later distributed among contributing boards*. These boards then use their allocated portion of the funds to cover their particular licensing and administrative costs.
Sometimes, if a fee is set too high or if costs unexpectedly decrease, a board may accrue a surplus, which must be stored within the State Government Special Revenue Fund. This can be used to lower future fees, expand services, cover unexpected legal costs related to contested cases, and to serve as a rainy day fund, should something unexpected occur in the future.
Nevertheless, in recent years Minnesota has gotten into the habit of raiding the fund’s accumulated surplus when pressed for money.
Click here to read the full report.
John Fitzgerald takes a look at teacher salaries not keeping up with growing student loan debt for new teachers.
Our weekly Quick Poll asks what you think would be a correct budget solution.
As always, be sure to check back here and at www.MN2020.org for the latest information on the issues that matter.
In his weekly column, John Van Hecke calls out President Obama’s education plan & urges him not to adopt Pawlenty-style “performance pay.”
Lee Egerstrom continues his coverage of Minnesota in a recession, this time focusing on our state’s inventors.
As always, be sure to check back here and at www.MN2020.org for the latest information on the issues that matter.
Conrad deFiebre shows how the city of Benson got creative in the face of cuts to get its bike trail project moving.
It’s Thursday and time for your comments in our Your Take section. This week we have responses on tax fairness, newspaper co-ops, and high-speed rail.
As always, be sure to check back here and at www.MN2020.org for the latest information on the issues that matter.
John Fitzgerald takes a look at the importance of extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, state underinvestment is putting the future in jeopardy.
We’re reprinting a great story from Twin Cities Daily Planet about Metro Transit’s high ridership and declining funding.
As always, be sure to check back here and at www.MN2020.org for the latest information on the issues that matter.
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