Friday, March 27, 2009

Bills moving, Textbooks discussed, New Office of Higher Education Director named, IFO contract approved, Nuclear energy voted down

Legislative Update
March 27, 2009

Flurry of policy bill activity this week, budget bills soon to follow

Both the House and Senate met in brief floor sessions every day this week, except today, to process committee reports and bill introductions. With the first committee deadline today for policy bills, frequent floor sessions were necessary in order to facilitate the movement of bills between committees.

Finance bills are still being developed, however, with the intention of finance divisions passing appropriation bills by April 16. The House Ways and Means Committee approved a resolution today limiting general fund expenditures to $30.6 billion over the next two fiscal years. Now that the budget resolution has been set, lawmakers will turn to trying to balance the $6.4 billion budget deficit for the 2010-11 biennium.

Ways and Means Chair Rep. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids, said the resolution lays out a plan for a balanced budget in the 2012-2013 biennium as well, which is required by a new law. Solberg said committees have flexibility, but they will need to stay within their committee budget targets. Solberg said that there may need to be target adjustments in the coming weeks because federal stimulus money is still being worked through.

Looking ahead to next week, Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher said in a press conference today that the House Capital Investment Finance Division will begin to draft a bonding proposal focused on projects that maximize job creation. The Senate already has passed their bonding bill. Kelliher said other scheduled legislative activity next week includes a House Tax Committee hearing on a proposal by the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to overhaul the state’s tax system.

Policy makers continue to grapple with the high cost of textbooks

The Higher Education Budget Division heard a variety of bills Thursday, including SF 1540, authored by Sen. Claire Robling, DFL-Jordan, which requires the Office of Higher Education, in consultation with textbook publishers, the Student Advisory council, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota and the Private College Council, to report on the implementation of textbook information requirements. The bill requires the report to include a template that publishers may use to provide the required information in a consistent format to all Minnesota campuses and to make recommendations of methods to disseminate pricing information to help students and faculty make well informed decisions about course materials. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities recently announced the latest publication from its Policy Matters series, “Cracking the Books: Policy Measures to Contain Textbook Costs." In 2008, Congress took action by including provisions in the Higher Education Act aimed at requiring all stakeholders and publishers, bookstores and institutions to increase transparency regarding textbook costs borne by students. The policy brief summarizes the federal legislation and looks at other potential influences affecting college textbook costs in the future.

David Metzen picked to head Office of Higher Education

Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced this week the appointment of David Metzen, former South St. Paul superintendent and a longtime University of Minnesota regent, including chair of the Board of Regents from 2003-05, to replace Susan Heegaard as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

“Minnesota has a world-class higher education system,” said Metzen. “Our challenge is to help more Minnesotans achieve the promise of higher education while enhancing the performance of our higher education institutions. I look forward to helping Governor Pawlenty further his vision for higher education and working with our partners around Minnesota.” Metzen began his new position March 26.

Inter faculty organization contract approved by commission

The Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations approved the 2009-2011 IFO contract this week with no across-the-board salary increases or annual step increases for the next two years. Now that the subcommittee has given its approval, the contract will become part of a bill that will make its way through the legislative process.

Unanimous praise for collaboration on employment training and education goals

The Senate Business, Industry and Jobs committee took up SF 1569 today. The bill, being carried by Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, originally was to transfer the responsibility of adult basic education from the Department of Education to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the responsibility of workforce centers from the Department of Employment and Economic Development also to the system.

The bill was completely revised in committee with a delete-all amendment and replaced with language that establishes four local collaboration projects established by the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) instead of transferring responsibility. DEED, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are to be involved in the local projects. Each local project is to develop a plan to meet the goals of engaging low-skilled workers in increasing their skill levels; provide skill training while upgrading basic skill levels; improve the provision of skill training to individuals currently working; integrate employer contact efforts to improve responsiveness to employer’s needs; strengthen employer input with training curriculum; improve access to service and training to public assistance recipients; integrate career planning and job placement efforts among institutions; maximize coordination and reduce duplication among providers; systematically evaluate industry training needs; and provide non credit remediation at no cost to students.

The four local projects are to be established by August 1, 2009, and each project must begin to implement its plan no later than July 1, 2010, continuing through July 1, 2011.

Committee Chair Metzen originally was concerned that the bill did too much too soon, and said that he was pleased that Sen. Clark worked with all the involved parties to amend the bill to include a collaborative approach on the local projects. The bill, as amended, passed and was sent to the floor.

Nuclear energy voted down

A joint meeting of the Legislative Energy Commission of the House and Senate Energy Committees met this week to decide if Minnesota should remove its moratorium on creating new nuclear energy sites. The commission heard testimony on Wednesday from leading nuclear energy experts. Melissa Savage of the National Conference of State Legislatures said 16 states are right now considering removing their moratoriums on producing nuclear energy. Savage also said that President Obama reduced funding for Yucca Mountain, a nuclear waste repository. This means that different storage areas might need to be considered for nuclear waste and could have an impact on how much nuclear energy the United States could use. She said if more states move down this path, there will need to be an interim solution on where to store waste while determination is being made regarding Yucca Mountain. Senate Energy Chair Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL- St. Paul, said that at one point, Minnesota was being considered as a nuclear waste depository site. She asked Savage if the North Star state would be considered again. Savage said she is unsure; however, the current U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, is proposing a blue-ribbon panel come together to study new repository sites. Savage said the National Conference of State Legislatures supports this proposal.

Testimony was then sought from expert supporters and opponents of removing the moratorium. Jerome O’Leary of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry said removing the moratorium would produce jobs for laid-off workers. However, before a plant could be built, a federal license is needed. It takes 36 months or more to get a license, so the soonest jobs could come would be in three to four years. Adrian Heymer of the Nuclear Energy Institute said nuclear energy is the preferred, clean method of energy based on what is generated. It is a reliable source and can produce what is needed, more than wind or solar.

Speaking against removing the moratorium was Arun Makhijani from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research. He said that France has been using nuclear energy and doing much harm to the environment. He said Minnesota is an unusual wind state, and the cost of producing energy through wind is coming down. The House Energy committee met again Thursday to vote on the proposal and voted against lifting the moratorium. New nuclear energy plants cannot be built unless the moratorium restriction is removed. The Senate has not taken action.

Here's What's Happening at the Capitol:

This schedule shows all meetings that we are aware of at the time of publication that MAY have an impact on the system. This schedule may change. Please watch the House and Senate schedules posted on the Legislature web site.

Monday, March 30

10:30 AM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
HF1756 (Kath) Federal funds allocated for clean water and drinking water loans and grants, money appropriated.
HF925 (Sertich) Official measure of unemployment expanded.
HF116 (Ward) Type III school bus driver qualifications modified.
HF1048 (Brynaert) Eligibility for benefits under certain training programs provided - WIRED bill
HF927 (Mahoney) Construction codes and licensing modified, high pressure piping profession provisions added, appropriations restrictions modified, and authority to adopt rules for obtaining boiler licenses extended.
HF411 (Olin) Board of Animal Health prior appropriation modified to allow certain payments.
HF2072 (Greiling) Education finance reference updated.

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
House in Session

3:00 PM (televised and webcast live)
House Capital Investment Finance Division
**Note: Change in meeting room
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: Omnibus Capital Investment Finance bill presentation - HF 855 (Hausman) University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities asset preservation funding provided, bonds issued and money appropriated.

3:00 PM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda:
S.F. 702-Tomassoni: State employees vacation donation program modifications.
S.F. 1110-Chaudhary: Natural resources, fishing, state park, outdoor recreation and reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program provisions modifications; off-highway vehicles seizure and forfeiture provisions and criminal penalties imposition; all-terrain vehicles operating res.
S.F. 1284-Lourey, T.: Lawful gambling and gambling board provisions modifications.
S.F. 1158-Bakk: Charitable organization audit requirement modification.
S.F. 295-Gimse: Electronic conduct of state meetings requirement.
H.F. 801-Gimse: State reports and documents distribution provisions modification.

Tuesday, March 31

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda: SF104 (Kelly) Cannon Falls library and fire station construction design-build contracts authorized.
HF938 (Reinert) State employees with disabled veteran status provided additional sick leave.
SF237 (Obermueller) Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day designated as the first Sunday in October.
HF774 (Knuth) Greenhouse gas emission registry provided.
SF423 (Swails) Non-campaign disbursements specified.
SF261 (Jackson) Death deed transfer clarifying, technical, and conforming changes made, common element certificates of title expanded to include planned communities, designated transfer requirements exempted, cartways in cities procedures established, and power of attorney provision modified relating to real property transactions.

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
Discussion of various State Grant Proposals
S.F. 570-Dahle: Minnesota campus compact and service learning grants appropriation.
S.F. 1493-Skoe: Higher education student grant program modifications.
S.F. 1563-Clark: Higher education state grant program living and miscellaneous expense allowance.
S.F. 1933-Robling: Higher education appropriations, achieve scholarship program online course award, residency status modifications.

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: HF939 (Mahoney) New job training funding provided for hard-to-train individuals, and money appropriated.
HF165 (Dettmer) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' human resources systems improvements provided

2:45 PM
House K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: HF2033 (Faust) Research-based professional development funding provided for the St. Croix River Education District, "response to intervention" problem solving included, money appropriated.
HF1046 (Mariani) Minnesota reading corps program established, and money appropriated.
HF1177 (Garofalo) Early graduation achievement scholarship program established, money appropriated.
HF1702 (Davnie) Grants authorized for the concurrent enrollment programs in the same manner as advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs, and money appropriated.
HF751 (Benson) School districts authorized to create site-governed schools, and money appropriated.

2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: HF 855 (Hausman) Omnibus Capital Investment bill mark-up and passage
HF 2134 (Hausman) Asset preservation for various state agencies and higher education facilities funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

6:30 PM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda: HF855 (Hausman) University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities asset preservation funding provided, bonds issued and money appropriated.
HF2134 (Hausman) Asset preservation for various state agencies and higher education facilities funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF1467 (Nelson) Rail safe technology federal grant application directed.
HF775 (Beard) Vehicle service fees credited to the vehicle services operating account.
HF2073 (Greiling) Education finance obsolete reference removed.

7:00 PM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room 107 Capitol
Chair: Senator Don Betzold
Agenda:
Final consideration of the 2009 Omnibus Retirement Bill; in the form of delete-all amendment S0191-DE3 to S.F. 191 (Betzold); H.F. 723 (Murphy, M.).
Revision/clarification of:
- Erroneous deduction/overpayment recovery provisions (PERA; First class city teachers).
- Commission staff technical correction/clarification amendments
Approval of prior Commission meeting minutes.
Other items as designated by the Commission chair

Wednesday, April 1

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda: HF1744 (Hilty) Technology accessibility standards and advisory committee established.
HF955 (Morrow) Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board renamed, and duties and membership of board clarified.
HF1218 (Lillie) State labor contracts ratified.
Pending approval in the Local Government Division:
HF1849 (Nelson) Local Governmental unit mandates removed, extended, and modified.
HF1955 (Holberg) Temporary transfers authorized from the metropolitan livable communities fund accounts and the right-of-way loan acquisition fund for transit operating deficits, and funding sources modified for metropolitan livable communities fund accounts.

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 1679-Bakk: Public employment retirement incentives.
S.F. 1889-Gerlach: State settlements and recovery payments to general fund.
S.F. 1153-Pappas: Domestic partners health insurance eligibility.
S.F. 278-Rest: United States senate or representative in congress and state legislature vacancy election procedures modifications.
S.F. 1600-Rest: Technology accessibility standards establishment for government operations; advisory committee for technology standards for accessibility and usability; appropriation.
S.F. 915-Dibble: Public employees insurance program school districts employee health insurance coverage purchase requirement.
S.F. 1230-Clark: Office of strategic and long-range planning provision modifications; state demographer duties modifications; milestones performance measures report requirement.
S.F. 407-Moua: Children's federal and state funding sources map of money.
S.F. 1938-Cohen: Minnesota Management and Budget (finance) department and state auditor federal stimulus money reporting and oversight appropriation.

12:30 PM
House in Session

2:45 PM
House K-12 Education Finance Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: HF1127 (Eastlund) National Guard and reserve member pay differential clarified for teachers.
HF214 (Bly) School boards authorized to form business entity solely for wind energy projects, and production tax exemption provided.
HF1179 (Mariani) Omnibus K-12 policy bill. - pending referral

Thursday, April 2

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Richard J. Cohen
Agenda:
Cash Flow Presentation
Charlie Bieleck, Director of Budgeting, Planning and Operations, Minnesota Management and Budget. Jim Schowalter, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Management and
Budget
S.F. 182-Pogemiller: Legislative and congressional districting principles establishment and redistricting commission creation.
S.F. 530-Rest: Budgeting revenues relative to personal income report requirement repeal.
S.F. 666-Marty: Foster care children benefits eligibility to age 21.
S.F. 713-Robling: State employee suggestion system for cost-savings to the state award program.
S.F. 1298-Gimse: Finance department and employee relations department name change to Minnesota Management and Budget.
S.F. 97-Murphy: Medical use of marijuana.
S.F. 694-Berglin: Prenatal alcohol or drug use grant appropriation repeal.

10:30 AM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
S.F. 155-Pappas: Midwest higher education compact appropriation.

Friday, April 3

9:00 AM
Legislative Audit Commission Subcommittee on Topic Selection
Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Working session to select five to eight topics for consideration by the full Legislative Audit Commission

Friday, March 20, 2009

Governor and House budget released, Bonding bill passed in Senate, Oral practitioner bill advanced, Credit caps discussed, OLA report released

Legislative Update
March 20, 2009

The governor and House release budget plans

After the Senate released its budget plan last week proposing a 7 percent across-the-board budget cut for both the 2010-11 and the 2012-13 bienniums, the governor and House followed suit this week. On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his revised budget recommendation. For the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, this means a base cut of $161.8 million for the 2010-11 biennium, about $16 million more than the $146 million cut he originally recommended in January. The governor also has recommended $133 million in one-time federal stimulus funds for the system. You may find more detail about the governor’s budget here.

The House of Representatives released its budget targets Thursday, echoing the governor's cuts: a $161.8 million cut to the system's base budget in 2010-11, with $133 million awarded to the system in federal stimulus funds. Moving into the 2012-13 biennium, the governor reverted back to his original cut of $146 million for an annual system budget of $608.597 million. The House, on the other hand, leaves the base higher than the governor at $656.597 million. Compared to what was forecast, the House is recommending a cut of $50 million to the system in 2012-13.

The House budget plan also calls for $1.5 billion in new revenue. Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said the House Tax Committee would be coming forward with recommendations next week. Kelliher said the Tax Committee Chair, Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, is considering a progressive tax. More information on the House Tax Committee work can be found here.

Education was one priority for the House in shaping its budget. “Our highest commitment is to Minnesota students – that includes those in early childhood to those in higher education,” Kelliher said.

Bonding bill passes Senate

The full Senate passed the capital investment bill on the floor Tuesday with only eight no votes. For the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the bill has $90.28 million for projects including $50 million in repair and replacement funding and $40 million for the five vetoed projects from 2008. As a reminder, those projects include $11.55 million for the health and science center addition at Lake Superior College, $5.25 million for carpentry and industrial mechanical technology shops at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, $5.7 million for the smart classroom center at Metropolitan State University, $13.97 million for the center for business and technology at North Hennepin Community College, and $3.8 million for the systemwide classroom renovation initiative at six institutions.

In the House, the Capital Investment Committee heard from finance division chairs with their committee's bonding recommendations. Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Chair Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, presented the higher education recommendation. Rep. Rukavina recommended $50 million in repair and replacement money and the five vetoed projects for the system. The committee only heard division chair recommendations and did not pass a bill out of committee. We should know more next week what the House bonding bill will look like.

Oral health practitioner bill advances

After the Senate agreed to create two versions of dental therapists with different training requirements last week and advanced one bill with both the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities oral health practitioner program and the University of Minnesota dental therapist program, the Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division took up the bill this week. Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, said the aim of SF 1106 is to increase access to dental health services in underserved areas and includes two tracks for educational requirements. Both Dean Marilyn Loen, College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Metropolitan State University, and Dean Patrick Lloyd, School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota, explained their individual programs.

Sen. Lynch emphasized that the two models in the bill are not competing. She said the need for dental services is so great that both models could address that need. The bill was approved and advanced to the full Finance Committee.

Senate learns about program credit cap

The Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division heard three bills relating to the maximum number of credits for bachelor’s and associate degrees in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, known to many as “60-120.”

SF 644, authored by Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, allows the system’s Board of Trustees to determine the credit requirements for the two degrees. Current law sets the maximum number of credits for a bachelor’s degree at 120 credits or the equivalent and the number of credits required for an associate degree at 60 credits or the equivalent. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

SF 579, sponsored by Lynch, DFL-Rochester, also relates to the maximum credit issue. Lynch said the measure offers a different approach. The bill exempts an associate of applied science degree from the 60-credit limit. At the direction of the two-year student and faculty associations, this bill was amended to exempt the associate of applied science degree until July 2, 2012, from the 60-credit limit. The measure was approved and re-referred to the Rules and Administration Committee.

The third bill, SF 972, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, allows waivers to the policy setting semester credit requirements. Sen. Erickson Ropes said the measure allows the board to provide a process for granting waivers for emerging and innovative programs and programs of special merit or need. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

OLA releases report on occupational programs

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its evaluation report of the system’s occupational programs this week. Jody Hauer, program evaluator, Office of the Legislative Auditor, said the state colleges respond well to economic conditions and workforce needs, but they also need to more routinely assess job prospects for their occupational program graduates. Hauer said colleges rely heavily on program advisory committees to identify employer needs, but not all committees work effectively. You may find a complete copy of the report here.

Recipients of the state grant program discussed in the House

The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division defeated a bill this week that would eliminate financial aid for students at private, for-profit colleges. HF 1414, sponsored by Rep. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove, would have made students at schools such as Rasmussen College and Minnesota School of Business ineligible to receive money through the state grant program.

Grants to students at for-profit schools currently account for more than $20 million annually. Rep. Bigham said the bill would redirect the funds to students at public colleges and universities and also private nonprofit schools. Supporters of the bill argued the proposal would prioritize state dollars during a time of record deficits. Opponents said it would unfairly restrict the options for students to choose the education they think is best suited for them. The companion bill awaits a hearing in the Senate.

Federal Stimulus explained

A new resource guide to help understand the federal stimulus is available here. The guide provides an overview of all the various state programs and the different areas of the federal grants they are administrating. The document will be continually updated as more information becomes available. “Our goal is a transparent process allowing citizens to understand how and where these federal dollars are being used,” said the state of Minnesota’s federal stimulus coordinator, Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Tom Hanson. “This guide will provide citizens the most up-to-date information on the federal funds and how to access them.” Funds are available to stabilize education funding and for workforce development. “The state is committed to maximizing the economic benefits of the federal stimulus package by quickly identifying and investing in quality projects that are ready to go,” Hanson said. “We want to get the money into the economy as quickly as possible in order to create jobs and revitalize the economy.”

You also can view a video of Commissioner Hanson presenting the federal stimulus to the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce by clicking on the Minnesota Budget Video link.

The federal stimulus funding has left many people wondering what funding is available for which projects. Projects can be submitted with many federal agencies including the National Institute of Health, the National Endowment of the Arts the Environmental Protection Agency and many others. Academic Affairs in the Office of the Chancellor is working collaboratively with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Management and Budget and the University of Minnesota to promote access of funds within the state. A site tracking many of the grant deadlines and available funding for projects is available here.

User improvements made to Web site

Improvements have been made to the government relations Web site of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to better assist users. The site contains daily and weekly happenings at the state Legislature, links to Minnesota legislation publications, state and federal request material, and bill tracking. Feel free to check out the new site here.

Here's What's Happening at the Capitol:

This schedule shows all meetings that we are aware of at the time of publication that MAY have an impact on the system. This schedule may change. Please watch the House and Senate schedules posted on the Legislature web site.

Monday, March 23

10:00 AM
LCC Subcommittee on Employee Relations
Room: 107 State Capitol
Agenda:
Elect officers,
Approve Subcommittee rules,
Review/approve collective bargaining agreement with State University Faculty,
Other business as determined by the chair

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Betzold
Agenda:
SF 1298 (Gimse) Finance dept. and employees relations dept name change to Minnesota Management and Budget
SF 1016 (Murphy) Minnesota First bonds sale authorization
SF 713 (Robling) State employee suggestion system for cost-savings to the state aware program
SF 334 (Prettner Solon) State employee veterans with service-related disabilities additional sick leave provision.
SF 1192 (Betzold) Campaign finance and public disclosure board appropriation.

12:30 PM
Senate Business, Industry and Jobs
Room: 1233 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Metzen
Agenda:
SF 1513 (Torres Ray) Highway construction mitigation grant program establishment
SF 122 (Dibble) Cocoa bean shell mulch retail sellers warning sign posting requirement
SF 1232 (Anderson, E.) Green job zones businesses tax incentives and regulations
SF 1062 (Rosen) Green job opportunity building zones (green JOBZ) and tax incentives; small business investment company job growth investment tax credits; public utilities biomethane energy.
SF 1454 (Saltzman) Shared work plan establishment
SF 1143 (Murphy) Unemployment insurance benefits eligibility during voluntary leave

1:00 PM
House in Session

2:45 PM
House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba
Agenda: HF1367 (Juhnke) Minnesota Noxious Weed Law provisions modified, assistance fund and advisory committee established, grants provided.
HF1886 (Juhnke) Feeding Minnesota Task Force established.
HF1447 (Otremba) Veterinarian education loan forgiveness program established, and money appropriated.
HF1579 (Otremba) Dog food fee incidence changed.

2:45 PM
House Energy Finance and Policy Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bill Hilty
Agenda: HF1852 (Knuth) Renewable energy payment incentive period extended, payments directed to other projects from projects whose eligibility to receive payments expires, and money appropriated.
HFXXXX (Johnson) Solar Cities initiative
HF1434 (Johnson) Mass transit zone for utility reinvestment and cost recovery created.
HF1425 (Sailer) Renewable energy standard technology options modified for certain public utilities.
HF1478 (Sailer) Distributed energy resources regulated.
HF1533 (Sailer) Energy; Cost recovery for utility's renewable facilities and high-efficiency utility rate options provided.
HF1605 (Kalin) Conservation investment's incentive rate plans regulated.
HF1623 (Kalin) Energy storage equipment and its installation in publicly owned buildings included in the definition of a qualifying solar electric project.

Tuesday, March 24

8:30 AM
Meeting Time Note: If necessary, the committee will recess and reconvene in 500 North at 6:30 P.M.
House K-12 Policy Committee
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF648 (Mariani) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator instruction guidelines established.
HF1667 (Mariani) Instruction of students temporarily placed outside of their district provisions modified.
HF751 (Benson) School districts authorized to create site-governed schools, and money appropriated.
HF981 (Bly) Charter school provisions amended, New Schools Minnesota commission established, private nonprofit corporation authorized.

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: HF908 (Urdahl) Shared work employer plans extended by one year.
HF1785 (Norton) Accountability measures and reports required as a condition for receiving state funds.

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House in Session

2:45 PM
House K-12 Finance Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda:
HF116 (Ward) Type III school bus driver qualifications modified.
HF466 (Carlson) State Board of Education established.
HF106 (Swails) P-20 education partnership established.

4:30 PM
House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Nora Slawik
Agenda: HF1188 (Winkler) E-16 reforms pursued to improve and expand opportunities for all students to attain educational success, and E-16 advisory subcommittees established (information only)
Presentation by the Department of Human Services on the Governor's supplemental budget recommendations
Presentation by Karen Effrem, Policy Analyst and Board Member, EdWatch

Wednesday, March 25

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 182-Pogemiller: Legislative and congressional districting principles establishment and redistricting commission creation.
S.F. 1354-Rest: State Capitol building bond issue and appropriation.
S.F. 1395-Betzold: State government finance and appropriations; technology lease-purchase, state appropriation bonds, statewide electronic licensing system; cooperative purchasing; environmental quality board transfer to pollution control agency.

12:30 PM
House in Session

2:45 PM
House Energy Finance and Policy Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bill Hilty
Agenda: HF680 (Kalin) Federal stimulus funding allocated for energy programs

3:00 PM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda:
S.F. 2-Cohen: State budget recommendations development requirement and requirements modification.
S.F. 1004-Scheid: Construction codes and licensing provisions modifications; high pressure piping profession provisions addition; boiler licenses rules adoption authority extension.
S.F. 260-Bonoff: State primary election date change; state partisan primary ballots endorsed candidates provisions modification.
S.F. 1036-Metzen: State labor contracts ratification.
S.F. 562-Moua: Criminal history evidence in actions against private employers limitations; racing commission occupational licenses issuance authority expansion.
S.F. 446-Rest: Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote adoption.
S.F. 1600-Rest: Technology accessibility standards establishment for government operations; advisory committee for technology standards for accessibility and usability; appropriation.

Thursday, March 26

8:30 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 1649-Clark: Educational quality rating and improvement system; prekindergarten exploratory projects and appropriations.

Friday, March 27

12:15 PM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Loren Solberg
Agenda: Budget resolution

Friday, March 13, 2009

Senate moves bonding bill, releases budget and shapes higher education omnibus bill; Oral practitioner bill advances; Federal Appropriations passed

Legislative Update
March 13, 2009

Bonding bill on fast track in Senate

After the Senate Capital Investment committee put its bill bonding bill in order earlier this week, the Senate Finance Committee passed the $367 million bill, with close to 60 percent of the bill for asset preservation projects that can begin immediately. Finance Committee Chair Richard Cohen, DFL-Minneapolis, said the bill provides a limited kick start to Minnesota's economy by directing funds to projects that are ready to go.

Included in SF 781, authored by Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, is $90.28 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, including $50 million in repair and replacement projects, along with the five vetoed projects from 2008. Those projects include $11.55 million for the health and science center addition at Lake Superior College; $5.25 million for carpentry and industrial mechanical technology shops at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College; $5.7 million for the smart classroom center at Metropolitan State University; $13.97 million for the center for business and technology at North Hennepin Community College; and $3.8 million for the system wide classroom renovation initiative at Central Lakes College, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Pine Technical College and Rochester Community and Technical College.

Langseth said he would like the bill to be done quickly, at least by April 1. The bill heads next to the Senate floor. Over in the House, the Capital Investment Committee is scheduled to hear from the Finance Division chairs next week with their committee's bonding recommendations. When House leadership was asked today in their weekly press conference about a bonding bill, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said she thinks the House bill will be a little more conservative than the Senate bill, but could not speak to a number until leadership had discussions with Capital Investment Chair Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul. Once the House and Senate agree on a compromise bill in conference committee, it will go to the governor for signature. However, Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s spokesperson, Alex Carey, has said that while the governor is open to a bonding bill, he would like a limited bonding bill that’s related to state obligations to make full use of the federal stimulus package.

A copy of the Senate bill can be found here.

The bonding proposal spreadsheet can be found here.

Senate leaders propose budget plan, House to set plan next week

As lawmakers and the governor wrestle with a $6.4 billion budget deficit, Senate leadership proposed a 7 percent across-the-board budget cut this week for both the 2010-11 and the 2012-13 bienniums. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said the Senate is thinking about the budget problem as a long-term structural issue and will be taking a four-year balanced budget approach. The 7 percent reduction, which represents $2.4 billion in cuts, includes higher education as well as K-12 education. Pogemiller said there is no way to take K-12 off the table with so large a deficit. He also said that the federal one-time stimulus funds of $2 billion will help through this time of transition, but will not help solve the long term problem. In addition, Majority Leader Pogemiller said the Senate majority is proposing $2 billion in new revenue. He said if the state does not resolve the budget problem now, it never will get ahead of the game.

House leaders said they will release their budget proposal next week. Speaker Kelliher said in a press conference today that the House’s budget targets, which should be available by March 20, also may include plans for increasing revenues. However, she said the details of any tax increases would be left up to the House Tax Committee.

Kelliher said the House’s solution to the budget deficit also will focus on balancing the budget for four years, not just the coming biennium. House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, said he appreciates the Senate leadership taking the four-year balanced budget approach, too. Sertich said once the first committee deadline of March 27 passes, folks will start to get a sense of what issues will take precedence. As a reminder, according to the committee deadlines set by the House and Senate, all omnibus appropriation bills are to be done by April 16. Stay tuned.

Senate higher education omnibus bill begins to take shape

The Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division processed multiple bills this week including SF 361, sponsored by Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park. The bill creates course equivalency guides for military course work. Latz said the bill saves time and tuition dollars for veterans and creates an incentive for veterans to come to Minnesota for postsecondary education. Deputy Commissioner Michael Pugliese, Veterans Affairs, said the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system already does a good job of providing credit for courses transferred from military experience. The bill was approved and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Also heard was SF 537, sponsored by Sen. Ron Latz. The bill requires postsecondary institutions to notify prospective students of the potential effects of a criminal conviction on future employment. Mark Haase, director of public policy for the Council on Crime and Justice, said the bill saves time and tuition for students who have a criminal background because they would be warned about future employment restrictions prior to entering their field of education. The committee adopted an amendment offered by Sen. Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato, to add a notification for postsecondary students regarding the effect a criminal conviction may have on obtaining federal, state and other higher education financial aid. The bill was approved as amended and was re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. The bill also was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Legislators determine two versions of an oral health practitioner is better than one

Two bills offering different approaches to establishing the requirements and practice limitations for an oral health practitioner were the focus of the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee this week. Members heard extensive testimony on both bills before advancing one combined measure to the Finance committee.

SF 1106, sponsored by Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, establishes licensure and practice limitations for an oral health practitioner. SF 641 sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth, establishes licensure and practice limitations for dental therapists.

Lynch said SF 1106 sets forth the licensure requirements for an oral health practitioner. Under the bill, the individual must have graduated with a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited or approved oral health practitioner education program, passed a comprehensive, competency-based clinical exam and an exam on the state's laws and rules relating to dentistry. The bill also allows the oral health practitioner to use the services of dental assistants, dental technicians and licensed dental hygienists. Lynch said the bill requires the practitioner to practice under the supervision of a Minnesota licensed dentist and limits the practice to settings that serve low-income, uninsured or underserved patients or settings located in a dental health professional area.

Metropolitan State University President Sue Hammersmith said that the dental hygiene faculty are experienced and ready to teach students. Minnesota has people in need of dental care now. She said, “It’s time to move ahead. The children are waiting, the elderly are waiting and so are the low-income.”

David Penua, a parent whose children would not have had access to dental service without the Children’s Dental Service, an organization that serves the underserved, said, “My children are excited about getting their teeth cleaned (because of this service).”

Marilyn Loen, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Metropolitan State University, described the curriculum that the university has developed for oral health practitioners. She said the scope of practice is widened under the Metropolitan State approach to allow the individual to provide services to the underserved while the collaborative dentist is off-site.

Sen. Prettner Solon described the other bill, SF 641, that requires a dental therapist to work under the supervision of a Minnesota licensed dentist and requires the collaborating dentist to accept responsibility for all services authorized and performed by the dental therapist. The bill also provides that a dental therapist may perform preventive, evaluative and educational oral health services. Patrick Lloyd, dean, described the curriculum developed by the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota. He said under the university's model the dental therapist could provide services only when the collaborative dentist is on-site.

The committee agreed to create two versions of dental therapists with different training requirements. One version would require more oversight, and the other could operate more independently. Members adopted an amendment attaching the language of SF 641 to the language of SF 1106 and advanced SF 1106 as amended to the Committee on Finance.

The companion bills in the House also were heard this week in the House Licensing Division chaired by Rep. Cy Thao, DFL-St. Paul. After hearing similar testimony, committee members decided to advance both bills separately.

President Obama signs FY2009 Appropriations Bill

The U.S. Senate passed the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill earlier this week that will fund federal programs for fiscal year 2009, and President Obama signed the bill into law. The bill is a compilation of nine spending bills that the previous Congress was unable to finish before adjourning, including the Labor-HHS-Education bill. Overall, the bill spends $410 billion and provides a $4.4 billion increase in funding for educational programs over the fiscal year 2008 level. Included in the bill is $17.3 billion for Pell grants. In addition to the funds provided in the stimulus package, $17.3 billion would provide a maximum award of $5,350 and is an increase of $3.1 billion over the prior fiscal year.

GEAR UP, a discretionary grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, also received a funding increase. The bill provides $313 million for the GEAR UP program , an increase of $9.8 million over fiscal year 2008 levels. And the bill increases the funding for the Perkins Loan program by $2.8 million to a level of $67.2 million for fiscal year 2009.

A push for college affordability

College affordability should be a top policy priority in higher education. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education is making the recommendation even as the nation experiences a difficult economy. In the statement, “The Challenge to States: Preserving College Access and Affordability in a Time of Financial Crisis,” the organization argues that now is not the time to raise tuition, a practice common to help balance the budget. Some of the included new state policy approaches include:

• Rejecting budget cuts to higher education that are disproportionately larger than reductions for other state services;
• Avoiding substantial increases in tuition and supporting financial aid for needy students, even if that means redirecting some funds from institutional aid or merit-based student aid programs;
• Admitting all eligible undergraduate students to an institution that can adequately serve them, even if that means freezing or reducing enrollment in some graduate and professional programs;
• Shifting faculty teaching from graduate to undergraduate education and increasing teaching expectations, if necessary, to maintain undergraduate enrollments;
• Setting clear targets for increasing colleges' and universities' efficiency and effectiveness;
• Streamlining college administration and eliminating unnecessary state regulations; and
• Using one-time revenues, including federal stimulus funds, to preserve access and affordability and to invest in efforts designed to increase productivity and instructional quality.

The full statement could be found here.

Here's What's Happening at the Capitol:

This schedule shows all meetings that we are aware of at the time of publication that MAY have an impact on the system. This schedule may change. Please watch the House and Senate schedules posted on the Legislature web site.

Monday, March 16

9:30 AM
Legislative Audit Commission
Room: 107 State Capitol
Chairs: Rep. Michael Beard, Sen. Ann Rest
Agenda: Release evaluation report: Minnesota State Colleges and Unviersities Occupational Programs

10:30 AM (televised and webcast live)
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda: Presentation on cooperative purchasing by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and Commissioner Dan McElroy
HF72 (Norton) Lifelong learning account program established, tax credits allowed to employers and employees for contributions to lifelong learning accounts, funding provided and money appropriated.
HF619 (Hornstein) Public Safety Department authorized to collect fuel decal fee for International Fuel Tax Agreement, and cost of decal rule removed.

11:00 AM (televised and webcast live)
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 334-Prettner Solon: State employee veterans with service-related disabilities additional sick leave provision.
S.F. 1395-Betzold: State government finance and appropriations; technology lease-purchase, state appropriation bonds, statewide electronic licensing system; cooperative purchasing; environmental quality board transfer to pollution control agency.
(SF 1395 is an information only discussion)

1:00 PM (televised and webcast live)
House in Session

Tuesday, March 17

8:30 AM
Senate Education
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 1253-Wiger: Prekindergarten through grade 12 education policy provisions modifications.

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF1441 (Brynaert) State measures of student achievement growth established.

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: HF1116 (Davnie) Unemployment benefit requirements waived for dislocated workers, Minnesota investment fund authorization expanded, unemployment provisions modified, appeals required to be filed online, collection fee provided, unemployment benefit filing regulated, terms defined and clarified, and money appropriated.
HF42 (Thissen) Four-month waiting period waived for unemployed persons for Minnesota Care, and money appropriated.
HF1048 (Brynaert) Eligibility for benefits under certain training programs provided.

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
Institutional accreditation and financial aid eligibility: Office of Higher Education, Unaccredited career schools
HF1414 (Bigham) State grant program eligibility changed
HF1560 (Atkins) State grant program modified
HF1374 (Buesgens) Stable tuition rate guarantee

2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: Bonding recommendations from Finance Divisions

7:00 PM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room 123 Capitol
Chair: Senator Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 921 (Betzold); H.F. 1124 (Murphy, M.): MSRS-C; Department of Corrections recommendations for plan coverage expansion.
S.F. 1191 (Rosen); H.F. 1383 (Gunther): Fairmont Police Relief Association; Amortization target date extended from 2010 to 2020.
S.F. xxxx; H.F. 1279 (Paymar), Articles 3 and 4: Correctional state employees retirement plan revised; vesting period for retirement annuity modified; service credit transfer permitted.
Other items as designated by the Commission chair

Wednesday, March 18

8:30 AM
Meeting Time Note: Committee will recess at 10:00 AM and reconvene at 6:30 PM in the House K-12 Education Policy
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF1538 (Mariani) Educational innovation fostered to improve student and school performance.
HF1188 (Winkler) E-16 reforms pursued to improve and expand opportunities for all students to attain educational success, and E-16 advisory subcommittees established.
HF575 (Simon) Driver education requirements modified for obtaining an instruction permit.
HF1186 (Mariani) Center established for legislative educational analysis research and navigation in the next generation.
HF1212 (Brown) Deaf or hard of hearing resource center provisions modified.
HF1359 (Peterson) School districts required to offer at least two academic years of elective high school level world languages courses.

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: HF1029 (Winkler) BioBusiness Alliance funding provided, and money appropriated.
HFXXXX (Brynaert) International Renewable Energy Technology Institute funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF1549 (Mahoney) Pine Island; Water and sewer infrastructure grant provided, and money appropriated.
HF1575 (Mahoney) Matching grant program established, and money appropriated.

12:30 PM
House in Session

2:45 PM
House Energy Finance and Policy Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bill Hilty
Agenda: HF680 (Kalin) Federal stimulus funding allocated for energy programs.
HF958 (Olin) State agencies authorized to develop plan for using federal stimulus funds dedicated to energy projects to install energy-efficient windows in government and residential buildings, to weatherize residential buildings, and to train installers, and money appropriated.
HF1052 (Olin) Kennedy; Energy conversion of former school building funding provided, green economy promoted, and money appropriated.
HF1408 (Eken) Small power producer grant program created, and money appropriated.
HF1469 (Johnson) St. Paul; commercial and industrial energy efficiency improvement demonstration program funding provided, and money appropriated.

3:00 PM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
S.F. 952-Sparks: Bio Business Alliance appropriation.
S.F. 1057-Olson, M. A.: Opportunities industrialization centers appropriation.
S.F. 1197-Tomassoni: Unemployment insurance state law federal stimulus funds conformance modifications and appropriation.
S.F. 1198-Bonoff: Employment and economic development and unemployment insurance regulations policy and technical provisions modifications.
S.F. 1329-Frederickson: Clean water and drinking water revolving fund loans and grants use of federal stimulus funds.

Thursday, March 19

8:30 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 866-Saltzman: Teachers reading instruction competence assessment licensure requirement.
S.F. 851-Saltzman: Minnesota reading corps program establishment and appropriation.

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF1665 (Swails) Education; Best practices center for shared services established.
HF1630 (Kalin) Schedule established for aligning assessments to academic standards.

8:30 AM
State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda: HF817 (Kahn) Postsecondary institution requirements expanded to report resident student information to the secretary of state for voter registration purposes, and enhanced access required to voter registration records of returned absentee ballots on the World wide Web.
HF1053 (Simon) Public officials required to provide additional data to the secretary of state for use in maintaining the voter registration system, and automatic voter registration of applicants for a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card provided.

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: Testimony from previously scheduled groups:
MINNITEXT Library Services, MNLINK Gateway
S.F. 579-Lynch: Minnesota state colleges and universities (MnSCU) associate of applied science degree requirements modification.
S.F. 644-Dille: Minnesota state colleges and universities (MnSCU) board of trustees semester credits policy requirement removal.
S.F. 972-Erickson Ropes: Minnesota state colleges and universities (MnSCU) semester credit requirement waiver authorization.
Legislative Auditor's Report: MnSCU Occupational Programs

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
HF925 (Sertich) Official measure of unemployment expanded
HF 1326 (Rukavina) Emergency employment development program established, wage subsidies provided, and money appropriated.
HF1081 (Mahoney) Small growth business growth acceleration program eligibility expanded, matching funds required, and money appropriated.

2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: Bonding recommendations from Finance Divisions

2:45 PM
House K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: HF1001 (Demmer) K-12 education state grants authorized to leverage quality improvements, and money appropriated.
HF1188 (Winkler) E-16 reforms pursued to improve and expand opportunities for all students to attain educational success, and E-16 advisory subcommittees established. (information only)

6:15-10:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
The bills will be announced Monday and later in the week as more are introduced and referred.

Friday, March 20

9:30 AM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room: 107 State Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda: TBA

10:00 AM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda:
S.F. 915-Dibble: Public employees insurance program school districts employee health insurance coverage purchase requirement.
S.F. 1052-Saltzman: School districts state employee group insurance plan (SEGIP) participation study.
S.F. 1109-Rummel: Legislative educational analysis, research and navigation in the next generation (LEARNING) center establishment.
S.F. 1113-Rummel: Legislative and citizen commission on the future of public education establishment and appropriation.
S.F. 954-Wiger: E-16 education reform recommendations establishment.
S.F. 531-Pappas: Elections affidavits of candidacy residence and telephone disclosures requirement.
S.F. 551-Olseen: Mail balloting expansion and election day polling hours modification.
S.F. 659-Olseen: Election judges restrictions clarifications and appointment lists modifications.
S.F. 804-Gerlach: Election provisions clarifications and modifications; school district transitions; local governing bodies uniform terms.

Friday, March 6, 2009

State forecast released, Federal stimulus effect on Minnesota, System bonding project mean jobs, Charter school bill moves forward

Legislative Update
March 6, 2009


February forecast released

State leaders released the February economic forecast for the 2010-11 biennium earlier this week. With help from the federal stimulus package, the budget shortfall appears a bit better than expected – $4.6 billion as opposed to $6.4 billion. While the federal stimulus dollars help, it is not a permanent budget solution and will help reduce budgetary pressures only through fiscal year 2011. State economist Tom Stinson warned that with revenue collections down and expenditures up, Minnesota will have a long-term deficit. “This is probably going to be the longest and deepest recession since WWII,” he said.

The federal stimulus also offers enough new money to make a second unallotment unnecessary for the current biennium. Minnesota now is expected to end the 2008-09 biennium with a surplus of $236 million.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the state is facing a challenging time, and the belt will have to be tightened. Pawlenty highlighted the Inter Faculty Organization settlement that negotiated a wage freeze, saying it was a step in the right direction and will help state agencies plan. “This won’t eliminate the problem, but it will minimize layoffs,” he said.

The governor also said he will include a bonding recommendation of nearly $120 million in his supplemental budget. Pawlenty warned that creating a capital bill should be approached with caution, saying, “We have to be very mindful of managing the debt load of this state.”

After the forecast was released, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said, “We are committed to solving our entire budget problem and positioning Minnesota for recovery and a brighter future.” House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, pointed out that his caucus will be working with Democrats on compromises. Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, said, “We need to solve this problem for the people that elected us.”

What does the federal stimulus bill mean for Minnesota?

The federal stimulus package has been the topic of conversation at the state Capitol this week. On Tuesday, House and Senate higher education committee members received an overview of how much funding the state would get for higher education. Mark Misukanis, acting director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, guided members through the federal legislation. Misukanis said about $800 million will come to Minnesota in the state stabilization fund. Eighty percent of this, or about $626 million, needs to be used for education, classified as K-12 or higher education. The federal stabilization funds are specifically intended to bring the state back to the 2006 education funding levels.

The federal stimulus package, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes a Pell Grant increase to $5,350 in 2009-2010. Minnesota students will receive $108 million in Pell grants. The measure also contains more funding for work study. Of the $200 million nationally for this, Minnesota students would receive $3.89 million for two years. Campuses are required to match these funds by 25 percent, so the total increase in the state will be $5.19 million over two years. The bill also contains funding for competitive grants and broadband access, of which Minnesota colleges and universities can apply.

Misukanis said the next step is the governor’s supplemental budget, which he said should be out in the next two weeks. Overall, there is still much debate on exactly how the federal dollars should be used. The governor’s budget will help advance those conversations.

System bonding projects will put people to work

The Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division heard more about the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota bonding proposals this week. Sally Grans, system director for facilities and programs for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, outlined the system’s current and future capital projects for committee members. Grans said five of the requested projects were approved by the Legislature last year, but later vetoed. The projects, which include renovation at North Hennepin Community College, classroom renovations on seven campuses, a health science center addition at Lake Superior College, a classroom center addition at Metropolitan State University and shop space addition and renovation at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, are ready for bid. Grans said an additional four capital projects that were partially funded in 2008 are part of the proposal and can be bid within 120 days of funding.

Included in the system's 2009 capital request of $117 million is $50 million for repair and replacement projects at campuses around the state. Grans said $40 million, or 80 percent, of these projects could be under contract by December. Grans told committee members that the proposed projects will put people to work at approximately 1,500 construction and related jobs.

Committee members also approved language in two additional bills, SF 990 and SF 781, to be forwarded to the Capital Investment Committee in the form of a letter. SF 990 provides for bonding for the 2008 vetoed and partially funded projects and the University of Minnesota Bell Museum. SF 781 contains the repair and replacement projects for the higher education systems: $50 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and $35 million for the University of Minnesota. The system’s bonding request is scheduled next to be before the Senate Capital Investment committee Tuesday evening.

Charter school discussion takes center stage at Capitol


After days of discussion and testimony, the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight committee approved a bill this week offering the most significant charter school reform in Minnesota since the state became the first in the nation to authorize charter schools in 1991. Session Daily reports that the original eight charter schools sponsored by school districts in 1991 were allowed to open as an experiment in school choice. Today, 153 charter schools sponsored by higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and school districts educate 32,000 Minnesota students.

The bill, HF935, would strengthen and clarify ongoing responsibilities of the schools’ sponsors, improve their governance and fiscal accountability, and clarify the Department of Education’s oversight role. “This bill represents a lot of compromise and months of work,” said the bill’s author, Rep. Linda Slocum, DFL-Richfield.

Emergency stopgap passes to fund federal government another week

The last Congress was unable to pass appropriation bills providing funds for fiscal year 2009 prior to adjourning for the year, but members did pass a continuing resolution that would provide funding until today at previous spending levels. Fast forward to a new Congress, which is acting quickly to pass one large FY09 omnibus appropriations bill. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a single measure incorporating the remaining nine appropriation bills, including Labor-HHS-Education, into one large bill. The bill provides $4.4 billion more compared to the fiscal year 2008 funding levels for education overall. The Senate was supposed to pass the bill early this week, but had difficulty when the amount of amendments offered forced continuing debate on the bill. It is anticipated the Senate will wrap up debate Tuesday and vote on final passage. The current continuing resolution expires tonight at midnight, so Congress chose to pass a stopgag measure to fund the government through next Wednesday to avoid a shutdown of federal government.

Here's What's Happening at the Capitol:

This schedule shows all meetings that we are aware of at the time of publication that MAY have an impact on the system. This schedule may change. Please watch the House and Senate schedules posted on the Legislature web site (www.leg.state.mn.us).

Monday, March 9

11:00 AM *Note: Meeting will end at noon
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 57-Rest: Minnesota management and budget (finance) commissioner duties modification.
S.F. 91-Rest: Searchable database of state expenditures web site requirement.
S.F. 107-Rest: State funds misuse provisions clarification, penalties enhancement and best practices for investigations development.

1:00 PM
House in Session
1:15 - Joint House/Senate Floor Session to elect the University of Minnesota Board of Regents

Tuesday, March 10

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy Committee
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF501 (Mariani) Alternative graduation means created for students who have not successfully passed the Minnesota basic skills-test.
HF1037 (Swails) Home school mandates reduced.

8:30 AMHouse State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and ElectionsRoom: 200 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski Agenda: HF1113 (Morgan) Early voting authorized.HF691 (Rukavina) Vacation donation program modified.

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: Discussion of OHE's Minnesota State Grant Review report
Discussion of OHE's Enrollment Patterns of Low-Income Families

2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: HF 919 (Scalze) Specific information required for local capital improvement requests.
HF 918 (Hausman) General obligation bond sale provisions amended.
HF 1106 (Hausman) St. Paul Port Authority provided an application fee credit toward a future bond sale.
HF 562 (Wagenius) Higher education asset preservation standards modified.

2:45 PMHouse K-12 Education Finance DivisionRoom: 10 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling Agenda: HF935 (Slocum) Charter school provisions modified.

4:30 PMHouse Early Childhood Finance and Policy DivisionRoom: 200 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Nora Slawik Agenda: HF106 (Swails) P-20 education partnership established HF1026 (Slawik) Early childhood education provisions amended

5:30 PM
Senate Capital Investment
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Keith Langseth
Agenda:
S.F. 781-Langseth: University of Minnesota and Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) asset preservation bond issue and appropriation, 2009 Capital Investment bill.

7:00 PM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room: 107 State Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda: SF197/HF318 (Skogen/Nornes): PERA; Service credit purchase for period of past due omitted contributions.
SF223/HF231 (Wiger/Lillie): MSRS/PERA; Teacher assistant retirement coverage exclusion option to qualify for deferred annuities augmentation.
SF281/HF260 (Anderson/Hausman); MFRA; Surviving spouse benefit eligibility specified.
SF305/HF122 (Bakk/Dill): MSRS; Disability benefit application filing date deadline exception.
SF605/HF757 (Jungbauer/Murphy, M.): DOT Pilots; Transportation department aircraft pilot disability and retirement provisions modification.
SF669/HF741 (Betzold/Kahn): MFRA/MPRA/PERA; Permitting Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and Minneapolis Police Relief Association membership in the Public Employees Retirement Association.
SF750/HF982 (Betzold/Murphy, M.): MSRS; Revise allowable service credit for job-share participants.

Wednesday, March 11

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF466 (Carlson) State Board of Education established.
HF1186 (Mariani) Center established for legislative educational analysis research and navigation in the next generation.
HF1187 (Mariani) Legislative and Citizen Commission on the Future of Public Education created.
HF648 (Mariani) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator instruction guidelines established.

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: HF1081 (Mahoney) Small growth business growth acceleration program eligibility expanded, matching funds required, and money appropriated.
HF744 (Mullery) Transitional employment training project funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF737 (Rukavina) Rehabilitation counselors for the blind certification provided.

12:30 PM
Senate Health, Housing and Family SecurityRoom: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. John MartyAgenda: *Note: The committee intends to act on SF1106. SF641 will be discussion only.
SF1106 (Lynch): Oral health practitioner licensure and regulation
SF641 (Prettner Solon): Dental therapists licensing and practice limitation

3:00 PM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda: S.F. 815-Berglin: Medical supplies and equipment purchasing alliance.
S.F. 545-Prettner Solon: Mental health and substance abuse review licensed doctoral level psychologist final determination not to certify authorization; psychological impact of medications in psychology practice; health care reform review council membership
requirements modified.
S.F. 999-Kubly: Medical laboratory science professionals licensure requirements and medical laboratory science professional licensing advisory council creation.
S.F. 487-Clark: Office of early learning creation.
S.F. 866-Saltzman: Teachers reading instruction competence assessment licensure requirement.
S.F. 872-Higgins: State interoperability executive committee designation.
S.F. 82-Latz: Minnesota False Claims Act.
S.F. 729-Rest: Hennepin county human resources board and department personnel rules modifications.
S.F. 660-Marty: Automatic voter registration for drivers license applicants; secretary of state additional data requirement from public officials for voter registration system maintenance.
S.F. 661-Pappas: Postsecondary institutions resident student information report to secretary of state for voter registration purposes expansion; voter registration enhanced access to voter registration records and records of returned absentee ballots on the world wide web.
6:15 PMHouse Licensing DivisionRoom: 200 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Cy Thao Agenda: HF1226 (Thao) Licensure and practice limitations established for an oral health practitioner, fees established, and rulemaking requiredHF823 (Norton) Dental therapist fees, licensing, and practice limitations established

Thursday, March 12

8:30 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 314-Skogen: Education finance operating referendum revocation voter signature requirement modification.
S.F. 851-Saltzman: Minnesota reading corps program establishment and appropriation.
S.F. 913-Bakk: Greenhouse gas emissions reduction; land use planning, development, incorporations and minimum acreage standards restrictions; redevelopment grant program bond issue and appropriations.

Friday, March 13

9:30 AMLegislative Commission on Pensions and RetirementRoom 107 CapitolChair: Senator Don BetzoldAgenda:S.F. 131 (Bonoff); H.F. 111 (Winkler): SBI; Require divestment of certain investments relating to Iran.S.F. 914 (Betzold); H.F. 1100 (Thissen): MERF consolidation with PERA-General.Other items as designated by the Commission chair.

Monday, March 16

9:30 AMLegislative Audit CommissionRoom: 107 State Capitol Chairs: Rep. Michael Beard, Sen. Ann Rest Agenda: Release evaluation report: MnSCU Occupational Programs