Hello, NDU members!
This past Wednesday, the 18th, was the deadline for members of the House of Representatives to introduce new bills. The deadline for Senators to submit bills is Monday, the 23rd. Stay tuned to these emails for updates on the session as it progresses. Didn’t catch our previous emails? Check our Issues and Action page to read about our legislative priorities.
Learn
Pensions
An additional bill to close the NDPERS defined-benefit pension program has been introduced. HB 1486 looks to replace the defined-benefit plan with a more volatile and expensive defined-contribution plan, with additional terms as to the source of funding. We will continue to oppose any bill that intends to take away an invaluable source of stability for public workers. Testimony will be heard January 26th at 8:30am.
In the meantime, SB 2239 has been introduced, which has NDU’s full support. This bill aims to invest in our current defined-benefit pension plan and preserve a popular benefit for under $1 billion. On the other hand, the three bills that intend to close the plan and replace it with a defined-contribution plan would cost $5.5 BILLION over 20 years. More than five times the cost! SB 2239 is clearly the fiscally responsible choice. A hearing on SB 2239 is set to take place on Friday, the 27th, at 9:45.
Please message Taylor Toso (taylor.toso@ndunited.org) if you would like to testify on either of these bills. Can’t make it to Bismarck? Ask Taylor how you can still share your story with the committee.
Vouchers
An issue that North Dakota United is committed to is keeping public dollars in public education. Many of you may be familiar with “school vouchers,” bills that are used to privatize education and send taxpayers’ dollars to non-public schools. While NDU has always supported a parent’s right to choose where they send their children to school, we also believe that we must keep public dollars in public schools so that teachers and students receive the resources they need.
This week, HB 1532 was introduced. This bill will establish an “education reimbursement program”. The program would require superintendents to pay private schools, when requested by the parents, at least 15 percent but not more than 30 percent of the student’s cost of attendance. State legislators are asking that 24 million dollars be put into this education reimbursement program. That is 24 million dollars going to private education rather than our public-school systems. Read more below on how you can send an email to your legislators opposing this bill that intends to reduce the resources of our public education system.
Act
ACTION ALERT – Vouchers
Now is the time where you as teachers, support staff, parents, public employees, and taxpayers need to raise your voices. We need you to send a message to legislators and committee members that it is vital we keep public dollars in public education. HB 1532 is heading to committee. Send an email in opposition of this bill now to ensure the committee members hear our community’s voice.
Lobby Day at the Capitol – February 19th and 20th
Join your fellow NDU members for a day of action as we meet with legislators and make sure they know what matters to educators and public employees! We will meet at the Radisson Hotel Bismarck on February 19th to learn how to be a more effective advocate during the legislative session, then meet with legislators to make your voice heard on February 20th at the State Capitol. We’ll provide meals, hotel accommodations, and mileage reimbursement! Learn more and register here: tinyurl.com/NDULobbyDay
Legislative Organizing Calls
Join us virtually on January 24th at 6pm for our legislative session organizing call, where we will review bills relating to our main priorities and talk about how you can make an impact on these issues. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the team working in the Capitol to represent you!
Up Next …
Advocacy Training
Whether you have been involved for years or are interested in getting started for the first time, we will be providing advocacy trainings where members can learn more about the importance of their advocacy, how to get started, and some best practices. The same training will be provided every two weeks starting Tuesday, January 31st at 6pm, so choose the Tuesday that works best for you and you only need to attend once to get all the information!
We’re monitoring bills that relate to our top priorities. Stay tuned to your email for action alerts as the session progresses.
If you have any questions, comments, ideas, etc. please contact me at ali.hoffman@ndunited.org.