Calling all Minnesota Homeschoolers... This is a PSA for Minnesota homeschoolers that I am passing on from a mailing list - there is important legislation that can affect homeschoolers. Please read and take whatever action you feel is appropriate. For those not in Minnesota - it still pays to know what is going on in other states, because similar things can occur where you are.

Peace,
Tenn

February 10, 2004
>
> Calls needed to stop Homeschool regulation bill
>
> Dear Minnesota HSLDA members and friends:
>
> Minnesota is one of five or six states that offers some kind of tax
> break for families with children in home or private schools. A new
> bill in the Minnesota House would regulate every school that accepts
> a child from a family that claims any tax credit or deduction for
> educational expenses, including homeschools. This bill must be
> defeated.
>
> ACTION REQUESTED:
>
> (1) Please call every member of the House Education Policy, listed
> below. Politely say, "Please vote against House Bill 1787. Private
> and homeschool families save Minnesota millions in taxes. Don't take
> away their freedom!" All numbers are in the 651 area code. If the
> Representative is unavailable, leave a message with a staffer or with
> the main switchboard.
>
> Chair: Barb Sykora (R)
> 296-4315
>
> Vice Chair: Mark Olson (R)
> 296-4237
>
> Lead-DFL: Lyndon Carlson (DFL)
> 296-4255
>
> Jeff Anderson (R)
> 296-4193
>
> Dick Borrell (R)
> 296-4336
>
> Mark Buesgens (R)
> 296-5185
>
> Randy Demmer (R)
> 296-9236
>
> Rob Eastlund (R)
> 296-5364
>
> Sondra Erickson (R)
> 296-6746
>
> Bud Heidgerken (R)
> 296-4317
>
> Jeff Johnson (R)
> 296-5511
>
> Karen Klinzing (R)
> 296-1147
>
> Philip Krinkie (R)
> 296-2907
>
> Doug Meslow (R)
> 296-5363
>
> Carla Nelson (R)
> 296-0573
>
> Scott Newman (R)
> 296-1534
>
> Stephanie Olsen (R)
> 296-4280
>
> Alice Seagren (R)
> 296-7803
>
> Marty Seifert (R)
> 296-5374
>
> Dean Urdahl (R)
> 296-4344
>
> Lynn Wardlow (R)
> 296-4128
>
> Kurt Zellers (R)
> 296-5502
>
> Connie Bernardy (DFL)
> 296-5510
>
> Len Biernat (DFL)
> 296-4219
>
> Jim Davnie (DFL)
> 296-0173
>
> Kent Eken (DFL)
> 296-9918
>
> Mindy Greiling (DFL)
> 296-5387
>
> Mike Jaros (DFL)
> 296-4246
>
> Ron Latz (DFL)
> 296-7026
>
> Carlos Mariani (DFL)
> 296-9714
>
> Gene Pelowski (DFL)
> 296-8637
>
> Nora Slawik (DFL)
> 296-7807
>
>
> BACKGROUND:
>
> Unlike most states, Minnesota currently provides a tax credit for low
> income families with children in private or homeschools, and a tax
> deduction for families who make more money. This is a real benefit
> for families, but it provides a tempting target for legislators who
> want to regulate private education. House Bill 1787 would force
> every school that accepts a child from a family that plans to take a
> tax credit or tax deduction to make several changes.
>
> (1) The school would have to comply with the state's high school
> graduation requirements, instead of the school's own standards.
>
> (2) The state would restrict the school's ability to expel students
> and would regulate the school's control over which courses the
> students can take.
>
> (3) Schools would be required to perform criminal background checks
> on school employees.
>
> This bill appears to be a straightforward attack on private school
> freedom. To the best of our knowledge, there are no specific problems
> in current law that support the proposed changes. Whether or not
> your family currently takes advantage of these tax breaks, this bill
> is a slap in the face to every Minnesota family that spends their own
> money to educate their own children. It must be defeated.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Scott Somerville
> HSLDA Staff Attorney