by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 7, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue, WASB
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released its new COVID-19 Regulatory Flexibility Framework this morning (Friday 8/7) via a letter from State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor posted to the District Administrators’ chronological email webpage.
The framework consists of two parts: a COVID-19 flexibility application form and a series of policy provisions on key topics to address districts’ flexibility needs.
The policy provisions begin with the information attached to the State Superintendent’s letter, and cover topics such as pupil count dates, transportation, licensure, school nutrition, and the school day milk program. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Aug 6, 2020 | Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog
From The Hill:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday predicted that White House negotiators, Democratic leaders and Senate Republicans will reach a deal “in the near future” to approve another round of federal coronavirus relief.
“Exactly when that deal comes together I couldn’t tell you, but I think it will at some point in the near future,” McConnell said in an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” when asked about the chances of reaching a deal by Friday, a deadline set by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 4, 2020 | Election, Legislative Update Blog
Next Tuesday, August 11, is the date of Wisconsin’s August partisan primary election. The WASB government relations staff has identified at least 19 current or former Wisconsin school board members whose names will appear on the ballot, running for seats in either the Wisconsin Legislature or Congress. (If you are aware of others who we may have missed, please let us know and we will update this post accordingly.)
While the WASB is forbidden from making political contributions or endorsing candidate, we can take note of which of our current and former members have stepped forward to place their names on the ballot. These include:
(more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 3, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
In an earlier blog post, we reported on a different approach the Legislative Council is taking to its traditional interim period activities. Scrapped, for this year only, is the traditional study committee approach. In its place will be a series of virtual symposium sessions on selected topics.
The first of these will be a virtual Early Literacy Symposia Series that will take place over the course of several Wednesdays in the month of August and the first week in September. All of the virtual presentations will begin at 2 pm, starting this Wednesday (8/5).
Scheduled sessions include the following: (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 3, 2020 | Federal Budget, Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog
Progress on an additional federal coronavirus relief package seems to have stalled somewhat, dimming hopes that more federal relief for schools can be enacted before the new school year starts in many states. Also unaddressed is the fate of the expansion of federal coronavirus unemployment benefits that ran out over the weekend.
Although negotiations continue on Capitol Hill, key senators, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Senate majority leader, appear not to have been a part of them. For now, the talks are said to be largely taking place between the White House and the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly hosted the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and the Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, for closed-door meetings on Saturday. They were joined in further meetings today (Monday, 8/3) by Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
(more…)
