by Dan Rossmiller | Sep 11, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Sept 10 temporarily blocked an emergency order issued by Dane County’s joint city-county health department prohibiting public and private schools in Dane County from providing in-person instruction to most students in grades 3 through 12. That emergency order was issued on August 21 and later amended to allow special needs students to receive in-person services and instruction.
The decision came after challenges were filed by groups of religious schools and the parents of students enrolled in private schools in Dane County who went directly to the state’s highest court to ask for relief. In its order, the court agreed to hear that case on the merits at a later date. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Sep 11, 2020 | Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog
A pared down fifth coronavirus relief bill was blocked by Senate Democrats on Sept 10 leading GOP Senators to declare that no deals will be reached before the election on Nov 3. The GOP relief bill received a 52-47 vote but needed 60 votes to advance a procedural hurdle in the chamber. All Democrats voted against it in the latest development in negotiations to agree on a price tag for the latest relief bill.
From The Hill: “Democrats have offered to come down to $2.2 trillion, after House Democrats passed a $3.4 trillion bill in May. Senate Republicans offered an initial $1.1 trillion bill in late July, though (Treasury Secretary) Mnuchin has said they could come up to $1.5 trillion. But Republicans have rejected a request from (House Speaker) Pelosi and (Senate Minority Leader) Schumer that they increase their offer to $2 trillion — something administration officials and GOP senators have dismissed as a non-starter.”
Ed Week also reported that there were GOP school choice provisions inserted in the rejected bill. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Sep 11, 2020 | Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog
A controversial rule championed by United States Education Department (USED) Secretary Betsy DeVos that would have diverted additional CARES Act to private schools has been quietly rescinded after several federal courts ruled against it. This is good news for public schools in that they will be allowed to allocate equitable services to private schools like federal Title 1 funds as planned according to DPI guidance presented to and approved by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
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