Posted 8/15/01 Lawmakers donít deny that Education Minnesota is a strong force at the state capitol By T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter House Speaker Steve Sviggum considers them one of the top three special interests groups and few lawmakers would deny that Education Minnesota is a force at the Capitol. As several lawmakers pointed out, the ingredients are all there. Representing some 68,000 state educators, Education Minnesota ñ the stateís largest teachersí union ñ has a reported annual budget of $22 million and is able to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lobbying and other political activities. It has a large, well educated membership. In general, lawmakers are keen on education. And Minnesotans have historically cared about education. When Education Minnesota and several other education associations ran radio and television ads last session about the proposed K-12 budget, the ads generated at least 22,000 contacts between the public and lawmakers, said Education Minnesota President Judy Schaubach. ìWe certainly felt we made some progress from where we started,î she said. But what do lawmakers think of Education Minnesota? Do they think the union is effective lobbying at the Capitol? Are there any complaints? Children, Families and Learning Commissioner Chris-tine Jax said the union was ìinstrumentalî in implementing the Profile of Learning. And Education Minnesota is useful in learning programs are being received by teachers, she said. ìI donít think they (Education Minnesota) are necessarily objective. But theyíre not supposed to be,î said Jax. The union is more open to change than she suspected it might be, said Jax. Certainly, Education Minnesotaís financial resources gives it power the average person doesnít have. But that goes so far. ìI see legislators go toe-to-toe with them,î said Jax. ìI donít think they necessarily scare anyone into submission,î she said. Rep. Alice Seagren, R, Bloomington, K-12 education finance committee chair, said Education Minnesota is ìabsolutelyî one of the top special interest groups at the Capitol ñ effective lobbyists. While saying the union sometimes seems more intent on the status quo than reform, Seagren said Education Minnesota has been supportive of such reforms as alternative pay for teachers. ìI think it depends on the issue,î Seagren said of the unionís flexibility. Education Minnesota is effective in getting out the message that education and educational funding are important issues, Seagren explained. The union can be ìvery toughî on officials whom donít share Education Minnesotaís viewpoints, she said. ìSometimes I agree with them, sometimes I donít,î said Seagren. Sen. Jane Krentz, DFL, May Township, saw a certain sadness in the ad campaign conducted by Education Minnesota and others last session. ìIt sort of is a sad commentary on our times when we have to advertise for education,î she said. Though Gov. Ventura has been critical of the union, he ìsort of set the stageî for the unionís lobbying efforts by proposing a K-12 budget that was inadequate, Krentz explained. Rep. Sondra Erickson, R, Princeton, said while teacher salary and benefits are important ñ by no means are teachers overpaid ñ she believes Educa-tion Minnesota has failed to move the teaching profession forward. ìIíve never really heard them lobby for accountability,î she said. ìThey have not been outspoken on the Profile of Learning,î said Erickson, a retired teacher and Profile opponent. ìThat smells of mediocrity,î she said. Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL, St. Paul, E-12 education budget division chair, said historically she would have placed Education Minnesota among the top special interests at the Capitol. ìNot anymore. Iíd put the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce there,î said Pappas. If you look at whose agenda was really successful last session, the Chamber edged out the teacherís union, Pappas explained. She probably agrees with Education Minnesota much of the time ñ they have differing opinions on charter schools and other issues, said Pappas. ìI havenít found them shrill or threatening,î said Pappas. The educational debate at the Capitol is better for having them there, she said. ©Post Review