DFLer Bonoff takes on teachers union
Good Friday morning. No legislative meetings today, and with the long Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend here, no doubt much of the Legislature has left town and gone fishing. Or maybe Phishing? More likely the former.
The Environmental Initiative, which brings business, environmentalists and government together all Minnesota-like, holds its Legislature preview this morning at the Science Museum. Reps. Hackbarth, McNamara, Garofalo, Hansen and Sen. Dibble among the bipartisan speakers.
Minority Leader Paul Thissen holds a news conference at 10.
Gov. Mark Dayton will provide remarks at the Department of Natural Resources annual roundtable (Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Northland Ballroom, 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park) at 10. Open press. In the afternoon, Dayton will meet with Dan Boivin, chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Conference call with MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU Board Chair Tom Renier, and MnSCU Board Vice Chair Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Plus staff and commissioners.
Dayton appointments to the Compensation Council: Gary Evans – Winona; John Frobenius – St. Cloud; Shirley Hughes – Minneapolis; Julie Kleinschmidt – St. Paul; Morrie Lanning – Moorhead; Khani Sahebjam – Eden Prairie; Anthony Sertich – Chisholm; Janelle Waldock – Eagan. The council makes recommendations to the Legislature regarding the salaries of judges, constitutional officers and legislators.
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will provide remarks at the University of Minnesota Policy Fellows Program and meets with staff and commissioners. Closed press.
Sen. Terri Bonoff is taking on the teachers union, reports the Strib's Ricardo Lopez. Republicans liking this.
A Minnetonka DFL senator broke with her party Thursday to take on some of its most powerful allies with a measure that could end the long-standing practice of teacher tenure, which makes job seniority the prime consideration during layoffs.