Today we found out that the state of Minnesota will face a $1.2 billion deficit over the remainder of the biennium (ends June 30, 2011). This is on top of a $6.4 billion deficit originally dealt with by the legislature. The picture does not improve going forward; a $5.4 billion deficit is already projected for the 2012-2013 biennium. This $1.2 billion deficit is the result of a slower than anticipated economic recovery with higher than expected unemployment and lower wages. These factors combine to create a decrease in income tax revenue. Check out Minnesota Budget Bites for more detailed analysis of the budget picture.What’s Your Parenting Goal?
A new year is beginning! It’s time for new hopes and expectations for better things to come! And that can also include improving your parenting style. A lot of us have goals we strive for in our lives. Why not include a parenting goal for the new year? I’m sure we all have areas in our parenting we’d like to improve.
The process of adopting a goal involves taking time to decide on one and working toward achieving it. Let’s look at an example. If you feel you yell too much at your children, your goal could be to find other ways to get their attention. Some ideas could include: talking less and enforcing consequences more, counting to ten and breathing deeply before dealing with an issue, or giving children positive attention before bad behavior creeps in. Your goal, as well as your way to achieve it, should not be complicated. Otherwise, you will give up on it after a time. If you are not sure how to achieve your goal, there is all kinds of helpful information out there—your ECFE instructors, parenting books and reputable, research-based websites. Checking the progress of your goal from time-to-time is important. Are you on track? Do you need to refresh or revise your goal?
Being a parent is one of the most challenging tasks you will ever undertake. Parenting is a process of ups and downs but the consistency of following along the path will pay off in the long run. The “goal” of parenting is to work yourself out of a job! Remember this as you help your children reach their goals and achieve independence.
Jill Phillips
ECFE Parent Educator
YMCA Holiday Open House
Title: YMCA Holiday Open House
Location: YMCA, Mt. Iron
Description: Make this holiday season a healthy one! Use the pool, sauna, hot tub, shoot hoops, work out, try classes all for Free! Contact the Y for open house schedules & holiday building hours.
Date: December 21, 2009 through January 3, 2010.
Community Dialogues on the Virginia Greenhouse …come be a voice for our children!
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Mesabi College-Virginia Campus, Commons area
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Miner’s Memorial Building
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
11:00am - 1:00pm
Virginia Public Library Auditorium
Community Dialogues on the
University of MN Partnership Feasibility Study: the Virginia Greenhouse
(CAUTION: This is a very large, 26MB file.)
We are seeking input, resources and creative ideas from all citizens about potential & new long-term sustainable uses for the Virginia Greenhouse. We will also discuss the current feasibility study and goals. See you there!!
Hosted by Virginia City Councilor Nevada Littlewolf & Virginia Park and Recreation Director John Bachman in partnership with the City of Virginia, the Virginia Sustainability Task Force, the Friends of the Greenhouse, and the NE MN Sustainability Partnership.
In the face of deficit, to cut early childhood is like dropping our best performing stock
From Ready 4 K
Today we found out that the state of Minnesota will face a $1.2 billion deficit over the remainder of the biennium (ends June 30, 2011). This is on top of a $6.4 billion deficit originally dealt with by the legislature. The picture does not improve going forward; a $5.4 billion deficit is already projected for the 2012-2013 biennium. This $1.2 billion deficit is the result of a slower than anticipated economic recovery with higher than expected unemployment and lower wages. These factors combine to create a decrease in income tax revenue. Check out Minnesota Budget Bites for more detailed analysis of the budget picture.One thing from this picture is clear: we must continue to make investing in early care and education a priority. We know this is the best investment we can make for both our short-term and long-term economic prosperity. To cut early care and education to solve the projected $1.2 billion state deficit would be like dropping our best performing stock and is exactly the wrong thing to do.
When parents know their children are well cared for they receive the assurance they need to be productive at work. Plus, giving children access to high quality programs maintains jobs for the trained professionals who work in the field. These investments also lay the foundation for future economic prosperity by ensuring that our youngest Minnesotans will be successful in school, career and life.
Ready 4 K is committed to being a voice for Minnesota’s youngest citizens. We are preparing for the 2010 legislative session and protecting our investments in the face of the $1.2 billion deficit. But we need your help. Join our network today and find out more about how you can be an advocate for children. Stay tuned for more information about Minnesota’s budget picture and its impact on Minnesota’s youngest children and families.