Almanac: At the Capitol

A group of parents and school supporters just held a press conference at the Capitol about the results of last night's bond and levy vote. About 67% of the ballot questions passed, some with mixed results. Rolf Parsons from White Bear Lake said the voters send two strong and not necessarily contradictory messages: they're willing to pay for schools but also are overwhelmed by skyrocketing property taxes. The other common theme was that bond and levy referendums are no way to fund schools. They all called for a new way to pay for education. They said it creates a system of have and have nots where cities like Edina and Minnetonka voted yes overwhelmingly. Bev Petrie, a parent from Stillwater, said "what a crazy insane system to fund our education." When pressed, Mary Cecconi from Parents United for Public Schools, would not say where the money should come from. A reporter asked about property taxes, but received no response. Lynne Osterman a former Republican lawmaker from Robbinsdale who credited a dishonest outside organization for defeating her ballot question said, "I'm tired, we cannot give up." Lawmakers and the governor's education commissioner will explore a new funding model this session, but it's a huge issue to chew on when the bridge and transportation not to mention health care reform are all also on their plate in what's supposed to be a short session. Sen. Kathy Saltzman, who may win the award for most active off-session lawmaker, minutes later announced a hearing to "address dysfunction in K-12 funding" on Nov. 27.