Legislative Action Coalition

Community-driven advocacy dedicated to lobbying for educational policies and funding

The Hopkins Public Schools Legislative Action Coalition assists the Hopkins School Board in advocacy for education-related legislation. The LAC Steering Committee coordinates these advocacy efforts throughout the Hopkins School District by developing, proposing, and advocating for legislative positions designed to advance the cause of good schools in Hopkins and Minnesota. The Legislative Action Coalition and the LAC Steering Committee exist by Hopkins School Board policy and their activities are subject to Hopkins School Board approval.

Have questions or would like to get involved? Email LAC@HopkinsSchools.org.

Join our mailing list to receive email alerts from the Legislative Action Coalition.

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Students and members of the Legislative Action Coalition lobbying at the Minnesota Capitol

Join the LAC Steering Committee

Join Us!

Hopkins Public Schools' Legislative Action Coalition invites people to serve on the Steering Committee which considers and develops legislative priorities for the district. Open to all interested parents and community members who wish to advocate on behalf of Hopkins' students and students across Minnesota.

To join, email Catherine Callahan at LAC@hopkinsschools.org.

Become a Member

Coalition Makeup

The LAC welcomes members who reflect the demographic profile of Hopkins Public Schools, and provide representation from the early childhood programs, elementary schools, junior high schools, the high school, the community education programs, the community at large, and each of the state legislative districts that cover Hopkins Public Schools. Those legislative districts include Senate Districts 44, 45, 46, 48 and 49 and House Districts 44B, 45B, 46A, 46B, 48A, 49A and 49B. Members should be interested in education policy and funding, Hopkins Vision 2031, and legislative advocacy.

Participate in Legislative Action Coalition Activities

The Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition engages in a wide variety of advocacy activities. Parents and concerned community members can participate as their interest and schedules allow.

The Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition offers a wide variety of advocacy opportunities suited to all levels of experience. Whether you are a regular at the Minnesota State Capitol or have never spoken to an elected official, we value your participation. Parents and concerned community members can participate as their interest and schedules allow.

Learn about important educational bills for the session this year by checking out AMSD's Bill Tracker.

Attend a Meeting

The LAC Steering Committee meets every Friday in a Zoom format. Please email LAC@HopkinsSchools.org for the link and password each week.

Contact LAC

Events in the District and at the Capitol

Members of the Hopkins LAC visit the State Capitol throughout the legislative session, speaking with legislators, offering testimony during education hearings, and cultivating sincere working relationships. The LAC hosts an annual legislative breakfast in the District, at which the priorities of the Hopkins Public Schools are presented. During the session, the LAC members also partner with neighboring school districts to advocate for specific education bills and engage with like-minded individuals on behalf of all Minnesota students. Attending any of these events offers a great first-time opportunity for new members to get a taste of in-person advocacy and to show their support for public education.

Follow the Legislative Session

Check out our list of resources to stay up-to-date on education advocacy and the status of specific pieces of legislation.

Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD)

Representing 41 K-12 school districts, AMSD speaks with a unified voice to advocate for metropolitan school districts and their learners

AMSD Bill Tracker

Up-to-date tracking of education bills introduced in the House and Senate

Minnesota School Boards Association: eClippings

Subscribe to the free MSBA eClippings, which features K-12 news from around the state

Minnesota School Boards Association Weekly Advocate

Subscribe to The MSBA Weekly Advocate email delivered each Monday to understand the week ahead

MN Legislature

The official website of the Minnesota State Legislature

MSBA (Daily) Advocate

Keep up with daily bill introductions as well as upcoming committee hearings

Find your local legislators

Enter your address to find the legislators who represent you.

Minnesota Secretary of State's Office

The official website of the Minnesota Secretary of State

Legislative Platform

Each year the LAC works closely with District administrators to identify specific issues they feel are top priorities for state and federal legislators to address. The platform is then presented to the Hopkins School Board for approval. Once approval is granted, the LAC members develop position papers to assist in communicating with state and federal legislators.

We work closely with the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and the Minnesota School Boards Association, as well as neighboring school districts, to align our common legislative priorities.

2021 State Legislative Platform

2020 State Legislative Platform

Group photo of LAC Student Representatives and LT. Gov Flanagan at the State Capitol

Legislative Action Coalition Policy

Official School District Policy School Board Legislative Program

The Board, as an agent of the state, must operate within the bounds of state and federal laws affecting public education. If the Board is to meet its responsibilities to the residents and students of the community, it must work vigorously for the passage of new laws designed to advance the cause of good schools and for the repeal or modification of existing laws that impede this cause. To this end:

The Board will keep itself informed of pending legislation and actively communicate its concerns and make its positions known to elected representatives at both the state and national level.
The Board will work with its legislative representatives (both state and federal), with the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the West Suburban Consortium, and other concerned groups in developing an annual as well as a long–range legislative program. One of the major objectives of the Board's legislative program will be to seek full funding for all state and federally mandated programs.
The Board will annually designate a Legislative Action Coalition to act as legislative representative. This committee will work with the superintendent and Board in developing district positions and actions on legislation being considered by the Minnesota legislature.

Adopted: February 28, 1985

Resources

Upcoming LAC Events

Get Involved

COVID-19

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Minnesota's school districts have been taking care of their communities by providing critical services.

COVID-19 LAC Letter to Legislators

MN House File Addressing COVID-19 Education Funding