Higher ed bills pass; Field hearings held; College completion toolkit;

Higher education omnibus bills are headed to the floor

Committees have been working around the clock this week to pass budget bills prior to today’s deadline. Legislative leadership has set budget targets that address the $5 billion budget deficit with all cuts. Lawmakers and the governor agree that they can solve $1.3 billion of the deficit with the K-12 school aid shift, which leaves approximately $3.7 billion left to cut. With snow still on the ground, lawmakers are ahead of schedule; we typically do not see spending bills on the floor in March. But Republican leadership has said they are placing a high priority on the budget this year and do not want to wait until May.

Higher education was part of the flurry of activity as both the House and Senate committees met long hours to craft their bills. The House unveiled their higher education omnibus bill late last week, but took it up in committee Tuesday. After multiple votes on proposed amendments, members passed it by a vote of 8-6 and sent it to Ways and Means, where it was approved without any amendments. In the Senate, Higher Education committee members approved their version of the higher education omnibus
bill by a vote of 7-6 this week and sent it to the Finance Committee, where it was also approved. Both versions of the bill are now headed to their respective chambers for a floor vote next week. Once the bills are passed off the floor, a conference committee will be formed to work through the differences in the bills.

Representatives of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system weighed in on both bills in the House and Senate higher education committees regarding the reductions and tuition caps in the bills. Presidents Edna Szymanski of Minnesota State University Moorhead, Larry Litecky of Century College and Pat Johns of Lake Superior College requested the support of committee members for local control of tuition. The Senate higher education bill caps tuition increases for the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's four-year institutions at 4 percent and the two-year institutions at 3 percent.

This is a slight change from the House higher education bill that caps the state universities at 4 percent and the two-year colleges at 2 percent. Higher Education Policy and Finance Chair Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, said the committee is expecting the systems to make up about a third of the reduction in state appropriation by increasing tuition at the set caps. Nornes said, “They will also need to reduce spending and reform to live within their means.”

President Litecky said that honoring the local control of tuition-setting is a concern for all the colleges and universities in
the system, and indicated that as a result of tuition caps and the cut in the bill, it could mean fewer class offerings for students at his college. Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, said that cuts to the system today will cost students and the state additional money in the long run, because students will not be able to get the classes they need and therefore will not be able to graduate on time.

In addition to the tuition caps in both bills, the Senate bill cuts the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system $167 million over the biennium from the 2012-2013 forecasted base. In comparison, the House bill cuts $201 million from the same base, while the governor recommended a cut of $75.6 million. This brings the system’s annual base down to $546.8 million in the Senate. The House bill reduces the system's base to $529.8 million, and the governor's recommendation brings the system's base to $592 million. In testimony this week, Chancellor Jim McCormick told committee members that if we want Minnesota to be competitive, we have to do better than these cuts to higher education.

The Senate bill also specifies that if there are any salary savings to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system caused by legislation that limits, reduces, or eliminates salary increases in any other bill, the savings are to be used to mitigate tuition increases or be allocated to institutions under the Board of Trustees allocation model. The State Government omnibus bill in its current form includes a salary freeze provision for state employees that prohibits any increases during the 2012-2013 biennium.

Both the Senate and the House bill include the provision on senior citizen tuition age. The language reduces the age of a senior citizen in statute to be eligible to receive reduced tuition back to age 62 from 66 (the statute was changed in 2010 from 62 to 66). Also similar to the House bill, the Senate bill sets a statutory amount for the tuition and fee maximum used to calculate the state grant award to the highest tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public college for two-year programs, and the highest average tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public university for four-year universities.

The House bill, HF 1101, can be found here.

The Senate bill, SF 924, can be found here.

We can expect long floor sessions next week as lawmakers work to get the spending bills to conference committee. House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Gove, said in a press conference today that he expects six major finance bills to be voted on next week, including the higher education bill Tuesday, March 29. The Senate has not yet indicated when they will take up the higher education bill. Zellers said lawmakers are focused on balancing the budget and “getting out of here on time.” What remains unclear is the action Gov. Dayton will take on the budget bills when they reach his desk. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn May 23.

Field hearings examine local solutions to improve education and the economy

This week, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline, R-Minnesota, held two field hearings in Pennsylvania and New York entitled, “Reviving our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and Development.” The field hearings were designed to solicit feedback on education and workforce needs in
American communities. Each hearing featured panel discussions on the state of the local economy and the ability of higher education institutions to successfully prepare graduates to join the workforce.

College Completion Toolkit available

Vice President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Education have announced the availability of a toolkit for states concerning college completion. In 2009, President Obama proposed the American Graduation Initiative, which established the goal that by 2020, the U.S. would regain its position as the nation with the highest percentage of its population with postsecondary degrees. The College Completion Toolkit highlights key strategies that state leaders can use to help colleges in their state increase their completion rates. The “toolkit” can be accessed at the U.S. Department of Education Web 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 28

10:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:00 PM
House in Session

15 minutes after session
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 898-Gimse: Omnibus transportation appropriations.
S.F. 1047-Parry: State government and veterans affairs appropriations;
Minnesota Sunset Act; state agency positions modifications; zero-based
budgeting proposals implementation; federal offset program
implementation; health care savings account.

2:00 PM or call of the chair
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda:
HF1049 Jobs and Economic Development Omnibus Bill
HF1039 Agriculture Omnibus Bill

Tuesday, March 29

10:00 AM
Senate in Session

10:30 AM
House in Session

15 minutes after session
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Omnibus bill to be announced

5:00 PM or call of the chair
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda:
HF440 Judiciary Omnibus Bill
HF853 Public Safety Omnibus Bill
Wednesday, March 30

10:00 AM
Senate in Session

10:30 AM
House in Session

Budget bill out; Mandate reductions in bill; MSCSA goes to Washington; Congress passes CR

Legislative Update
March 18, 2011

House higher education committee releases budget bill with cuts to the system

Early this week, the House Ways and Means committee adopted the budget targets, including a 15 percent cut for higher education. Committee Chair Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, said, "We feel that these numbers are living within our means, and that we'll be able to meet the necessary needs of the state in the numbers reflected in this target." Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, offered an amendment that reflects Gov. Dayton's proposal of a 6 percent reduction to higher education. The amendment did not pass. With the approval of the targets, the finance committees got to work right away crafting their spending bills.

The House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee released their bill Thursday, which includes significant reductions to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Lawmakers looked at both the 2012-2013 forecasted base as well as the 2010-2011 base, which drives different percentages. If reduced from the 2012-13 forecasted base (which is what the governor's proposal does), it's a cut to the system of 16 percent. If reduced from the 2010-2011 base, it's a cut of 13.3 percent to the system. Either way you look at it, the reduction brings the system's annual base down to $528.7 million.

The bill caps tuition and mandatory fees for a Minnesota resident undergraduate student at 4 percent per year for the state universities and 2 percent per year for the state colleges. A provision is also included that encourages the Board of Trustees to offer entering students a plan providing stable tuition for students pursuing two-year or four-year degrees.

The bill provides language that holds back 1 percent of the fiscal year 2013 appropriation to the system until after the Board of Trustees demonstrates the system has achieved at least three of five goals: increase the number of graduates or degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred; increase the enrollment of students of color; increase the number of students taking online or blended courses or the number of online or blended sections; increase persistence and completion rates; and decrease energy consumption. The Board is also required to place the highest priority on meeting the needs of Minnesota employers for a skilled workforce. They are to focus on efficient delivery of higher education, eliminate duplication throughout the system and provide an education that prepares students for the workforce needs of Minnesota.

Other provisions in the bill include reducing the age of a senior citizen in statute to be eligible to receive reduced tuition back to age 62 from 66 (the statute was changed in 2010 from 62 to 66); and language regarding transfer that reads by Feb. 15, 2012, the Board of Trustees must adopt a policy requiring every college and university in the system to grant credit for a course taken for credit at any of the colleges or universities in the system. The transfer provision also addresses the transferability of credits from 2+2 programs, including the Anoka STEP program.

In relation to the state grant program, the bill makes whole the 2012-13 state grant projected deficit of $34 million, and sets a statutory amount for the tuition and fee maximum used to calculate the state grant award to the highest tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public college for two-year programs, and the highest average tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public university for four-year universities. The bill also sets the living and miscellaneous expense allowance, or LME, at $7,000 each year.

The bill can be found here.

The spreadsheet can be found here.

The committee is expected to mark-up the bill Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. If they do not finish by the end of the scheduled time at 2:15, they will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. to pass the bill. The Senate is expected to release their higher education finance bill early next week. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said it will be a busy couple of weeks as bills move to the Finance and Ways and Means committees and then to the floor. Koch indicated the finance bills would make their way to conference committee and to the governor’s desk prior to the start of the spring recess April 18.

House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said, “The budget is the main thing.” He continued to say that the Republican leadership thinks they have a good balance with opportunity for anyone who wants to be part of the process. Zellers said the intent of the aggressive timeline is to move the process quickly instead of waiting until the last week of session.

Elimination of higher education mandates included in omnibus bill

Committees heard multiple bills this week as they worked to put together their respective omnibus finance bills. The House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee heard HF 849, a bill introduced by Committee Chair Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls. The bill proposes eliminating four higher education mandates in statute. Nornes said as committee chair he has been looking for relief from mandates this session and chose to eliminate four that include; the prohibition of higher education institutions entering into agreements with credit card companies to market to undergraduate students; the mandate that requires notice to be provided to students regarding possible impact of obtaining a job in certain fields for students with a criminal record; the requirement that to the extent possible bookstores sell clothing made in America; and the requirement that public employers purchase or require employees to furnish uniform or protective accessories that are made in America.

Committee members amended the bill to remove the repealer of the mandate that requires notice to be provided to students regarding possible impact of obtaining a job in certain fields for students with a criminal record, and then laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. With the release of the higher education omnibus bill yesterday, the committee included two of the four repealers; the requirement for public institutions to sell American-made clothing and apparel in their bookstores to the extent possible, and the requirement that public employers purchase or require employees to furnish uniform or protective accessories that are made in America.

Two-year students travel to Washington D.C.

Students with the Minnesota State College Student Association, or MSCSA, spent the early part of the week in Washington D.C. sharing federal priorities with lawmakers and interest groups and talking about the important role higher education plays in our country's future. Students advocated on behalf of full funding of the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, as well as reforms that would protect access to state loans, such as Minnesota's SELF Loan. Students met with the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation.

Congress votes to provide three more weeks of federal government operations

The U.S. House, Senate and the Obama administration will continue current fiscal year budget negotiations with the passage of the sixth continuing resolution, or CR. On Tuesday, the House approved the measure by a vote of 271-158 that will prevent a government shutdown through midnight April 8. There were 54 Republican members that voted against the bill that makes $6 billion in cuts from fiscal year 2010 funding levels, citing frustration with what they have said is too little of a reduction. House Republican leaders acknowledged that a longer-term bill that sees the federal government through the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30 is preferable, but blamed the Democratic Senate and President Obama for failing to put forth an alternative spending bill that can pass. The Senate passed the continuing resolution by a vote of 87-13 on Thursday. The $6 billion reduction includes $2.1 billion in rescissions of funds that have not been used; $2.5 billion in earmark terminations; and $1.1 billion to financial services/general government programs.

Congressional members have returned home to their districts for a week-long recess, but congressional leaders continue negotiations in Washington in the hopes of finding a compromise on the current fiscal year budget. President Obama has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the maximum Pell Grant award remains at $5,550.

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's web site.

Monday, March 21

9:00 AM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF 934 (Garofalo) Education finance statute obsolete reference removed.
Omnibus education finance bill walk through

9:30 AM
Rules and Legislative Administration
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Matt Dean
Agenda: Proposed House budget

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
S.F. 692-Hall: Natural resources department (DNR) peatland area management; recreational trail and snowmobile watercross requirements and mineral coordinating committee membership modifications; Blakeley state wayside repeal.
S.F. 759-Kruse: Coon Rapids dam commission creation; Three Rivers park district grant appropriation.
S.F. 907-Nelson: State building efficiency, fleet management improvements, and Medicaid and tax fraud prevention and detection consulting services contracts for improvements to state-operated systems and services requirements.
S.F. 908-Carlson, J.: Strategic sourcing request for proposals.
S.F. 813-Hoffman: State and public employees retirement plans member and employer contribution rates modifications.
S.F. 812-Gazelka: Salary reduction for state employees and elected officials.

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
S.F. 591-Nelson: University of Minnesota and Mayo foundation research partnership appropriation.
S.F. 799-Miller: Student records and data usage liability clarification.
S.F. 897-Sheran: Higher education provisions modifications and appropriations.
S.F. 695-Fischbach: Human cloning prohibition.

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: S.F. XXXX-Olson, G.: Education Finance Omnibus.

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, March 22

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda:
S.F. XXXX: Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee Omnibus Budget Bill.

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda:
HF1101 (Nornes) Postsecondary education provisions modified, and money appropriated.
HF821 (Nornes) Senior citizen higher education program eligibility changed.
HF849 (Nornes) College and university mandates eliminated.
*HF1101 will become the Omnibus Higher Education Bill. If necessary, Tuesday’s meeting will recess at 2:15 PM and reconvene at 5:30 PM in Room 200 until all amendments and testimony on the omnibus bill have been heard.

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: HF1049 (Gunther) Jobs, economic development, and housing funding provided, and money appropriated.

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: K-12 omnibus bill

2:30 PM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: House file to be introduced Monday, March 21st

Wednesday, March 23

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda:
S.F. XXXX: Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee Omnibus Budget Bill.

2:00 PM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: TBA

2:30 PM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda:
HF960 (Howes) Flood hazard mitigation grant funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
John Finney, Chair, Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB)
Ron Harnack, Project Coordinator, RRWMB
Dan Money, Administrator, Two Rivers Watershed District
Rob Sando, Administrator, Roseau River Watershed District
Nick Drees, Administrator, Middle-Snake-Tamarac Watershed District
Kevin Ruud, Administrator, Wild Rice Watershed District
Jon Roeschlein, Administrator, Bois de Sioux Watershed District
Curt Johanneson, Mayor, Hendrum
Jeff Paloski, Mayor, City of Roseau
City of Crookston
Bruce Albright, Buffalo-Red WD, Oakport Township & Georgetown
Kerry Netzke, AREA II
City of Austin - Turtle Creek Watershed District
City of Newport
Bob Zimmerman, Moorhead
Kent Lokkesmoe, Cap Inv Manager, DNR

6:00 PM
Senate Capital Investment
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David H. Senjem
Agenda:
S.F. 204-Langseth: Flood hazard mitigation grants bond issue and appropriation.

Thursday, March 24

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

4:30 PM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: TBA

Budget targets out; Tuition freeze bill heard; Redesign state government; Congress crafts budget

Legislative Update
March 11, 2011

Legislative leaders propose reductions of 16 percent to higher education

Republican leadership announced the budget targets this week. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said government needs to live within their means. She said leadership implemented aggressive budget deadlines, and now the targets are turned over to committee chairs who will work to meet the March 25 deadline.

Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said, "We're building a budget on what is currently in Minnesota's checking account." Michel said this is a framework that doesn't include any details. "That's what the committee process is for," he said.

For higher education, the budget target is about a 16 percent reduction, which brings the proposed spending level for all of higher education to $2.505 billion. Gov. Dayton's budget proposal for higher education puts the fiscal year 2012-13 spending at $2.745 billion, a difference of $240 million.

We now turn our attention to the higher education committees in the Senate and House to see how they recommend spreading the cut. Republican leaders said today that the finance committees will be working overtime to put together the budget bills. The Senate Higher Education committee has said they expect to pass a budget bill March 23, and the House Higher Education committee has indicated discussion of a budget bill in committee on March 22. Senate Finance Chair Claire Robling, R-Jordan, said, "This earlier deadline will allow us to get done on time, and I think you are going to see that."

In addition to the state government cuts, the House’s budget plan includes cuts of $300 million in income taxes for low and middle class Minnesotans, and the Senate plan includes $200 million in tax cuts for businesses.

Gov. Mark Dayton’s spokesperson Katharine Tinucci said the governor believes a budget is a reflection of values and priorities, and these cuts will hurt school children, taxpayers, businesses and seniors. House Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, described the dilemma facing lawmakers and the governor, "We have very diverse beliefs about what is best for the state. I’m not sure how we are going to resolve it."

Tuition freeze bill receives second hearing

The bill that freezes tuition for the 2012-2013 biennium at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota, was heard in the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee this week. The bill was heard previously in the Senate Higher Education committee. HF 856, introduced by Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, also holds tuition increases to the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, for every year thereafter. Swedzinski said the bill provides long-term tuition guidance for students and their families.

Travis Johnson, President of the Minnesota State College Student Association, or MSCSA, said his organization does not support a tuition freeze, but rather a tuition cap, and said he would like to see a predictability measure in place going forward. Johnson said tuition increases should be limited to ensure a college education remains affordable.

Russ Stanton, Director of Government Relations with the Inter Faculty Organization, or IFO, testified against the bill and said the IFO advocates for low tuition. Stanton said the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is a highly efficient system and tuition rates are among the lowest in the state. He said the IFO does not like the idea of setting tuition rates in the public arena, but rather should be left up to the Board of Trustees.

Dawn Reimer, Chief Finance and Facilities Officer at North Hennepin Community explained to committee members that a tuition freeze will have a significant impact on the college's students and employees. Reimer said students come to the colleges and universities in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system because of the system's high quality instructors, innovative programs, and state-of-the-art facilities, labs and technology. With a tuition freeze and cuts to state appropriations, Reimer said growth in innovations and new programs at the college will be limited, physical improvements will be stalled, and quality education will be compromised.

Remier told committee members that the Board of Trustees currently makes final tuition decisions based on data provided by the colleges and universities, and the Board requires each institution to consult with its students concerning its tuition and fee proposals. Remier said at North Hennepin Community College, Budget Task Force meetings are held with employees and students to work on the budget; and ensures budget cuts, operating efficiencies and other revenues are incorporated into the budget before tuition rates are determined.

As the committee begins to craft its omnibus bill, this bill was laid over for consideration.


Legislation to redesign state government receive hearings

Multiple bills, with the intent to redesign state government, have been making their way through committee. As lawmakers work to reduce the $5 billion budget deficit, many agree there is a need for change in the area of state government, but what that change will look like is still being debated.

The recently released budget target for state government in the House is a 34 percent reduction, and the Senate proposes reducing state government 53 percent. The impact of this is unclear as the committees work to put together a spending bill. Some of the proposals include; cutting the state workforce, salary freezes, consolidating backroom office functions, establishing a performance pay system, public and private sector salary comparisons, a zero-based budgeting process, early retirement programs, and reducing the number of state agencies.

At a press conference earlier this week, Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, said the state is going to have to look at doing things differently, because legislators can no longer tax or cut their way out of this problem. Many of the redesign bills making their way through the process and heard this week have been sponsored by Rep. Keith Downey, R-Edina, who said legislators and state workers need to embrace the need for a leaner, more efficient state government.

Some legislators however, are challenging some of the more controversial plans. During the House State Government Finance committee hearing this week, Rep. Kerry Gauthier, DFL-Duluth, said he has been hearing Minnesota has the leanest workforce, yet bills are being introduced that include pay cuts, and outsourcing. Downey said, "This is about empowering people and valuing people; not the structures, not the organization, not the processes that we’ve locked them into."

All eyes are on Washington as March 18 draws near

With Congress passing a continuing resolution last week to fund the federal government at fiscal 2010 levels until March 18, the U.S. House and Senate work to pass a bill before next Friday. Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, introduced a continuing resolution that maintains funding for many higher education programs at fiscal year 2010 levels. You may recall the House passed legislation that cuts $61 billion in spending, including higher education.

Today, House Republicans released a three-week continuing resolution to keep government operating that cuts $6 billion in spending. In order to avoid a government shutdown, a short-term funding bill is almost unavoidable, especially with negotiations between the House Republicans, Senate Democrats and the White House at a stalemate. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, said, "This is simply an extension to give negotiators more time." The House bill is expected to be voted on Tuesday.

Public policy agenda for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities, or AASCU, has released their legislative priorities and positions on higher education issues at the federal and state levels. AASCU has said their advocacy efforts in 2011 will focus on the policy principle of "Delivering America’s Promise" in four policy areas including; affordability, access and attainment, accountability, and competitiveness. To learn more about the four areas of AASCU’s public policy agenda, please go 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 14

10:15 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: Adopt budget targets

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF783 (Garofalo) Number of public school pupils covered by the permanent fund endowment apportionment expanded.
HF879 (Erickson) Annual evaluations for principals established, and a group of experts and stakeholders convened to recommend a performance-based system model for these evaluations.
HF360 (Peterson) School district requirement clarified that a school district is not required to provide educational services to students without disabilities from other states.

1:00 PM
Senate Local Government and Elections
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ray Vandeveer
Agenda:
S.F. 509-Limmer: Voter photo identification requirement; picture identification issuance provisions; provisional balloting procedure establishment; electronic polling place roster use requirement; recount procedure enacting; appropriating money.
S.F. 479-Howe: Voter photo identification and issuance requirement; picture identification and issuance at no charge; provisional balloting procedure establishment.

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
S.F. 208-Hann: Teacher employment contracts negotiating process establishment.
S.F. 650-Gazelka: Compulsive gambling appropriation.
S.F. 739-Lillie: Deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner positions reduction.
S.F. 146-Chamberlain: Priority-based budgeting process creation and state agencies sunset process establishment.

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
S.F. 698-Magnus: University of Minnesota (U of M) agriculture experiment station and extension service appropriation
Presentation on the Agricultural Special by the University of Minnesota
S.F. 342-Bakk: Cook county higher education board educational programs and academic support services appropriation.

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
S.F. 390-Nelson: Americorps Innovation Act.
S.F. 636-Olson, G.: Teacher licensure, evaluations, and tenure provisions modifications.

3:00 PM
House in Session

5:30 PM
House Education Reform
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF945 (Petersen) Teacher licensure, evaluations, and tenure modified.
HF947 (Erickson) Alternative teacher pay system modified.

Tuesday, March 15

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF638 (Myhra) School grading system created, school recognition program created, school report cards modified, rulemaking authorized, and report required.
HF558 (Downey) Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma mathematics exception removed.
HF329 (Bills) Public school employees prohibited from using public funds and resources to advocate to pass, elect, or defeat a political candidate, ballot question, or pending legislation.

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda:
S.F. 428-Sieben: Boiler inspector provisions modifications.
S.F. 437-Dahms: Minnesota inventors congress grants appropriation.
S.F. 501-Nelson: BioBusiness Alliance appropriation.
S.F. 708-Pederson: Twin Cities RISE! job training programs appropriation; job training and retention grant requirements modifications.
S.F. 486-Tomassoni: Conservation Corps Minnesota statewide youth job skills development and training program grant appropriation.
S.F. 300-Bonoff: Minnesota science and technology program.

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda:
HF900 (Abeler) Board of Trustees of MnSCU required to implement a policy on credit transfers relating to the Anoka STEP program, and report to the legislature required.
HF243 (Anderson) Optional student fees increase vote required.
HF862 (Benson) University of Minnesota and Mayo Foundation Partnership money appropriated.
HF849 (Nornes) College and university mandates eliminated

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda:
HF645 (Mullery) Minority population grant program provided for collaborative activities to reduce unemployment, and money appropriated.
HF995 (McFarlane) Womenventure funding provided for business development programs, and money appropriated.
HF983 (Gunther) Enterprise Minnesota, Inc. funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF893 (Gunther) Vinland Center for rehabilitation services funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF693 (McFarlane) Minority business development programs money appropriated.

2:30 PM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: HFXXXX (Howes) A bill for an act relating to capital investment; canceling appropriations and reducing the corresponding bond sale authorizations.

Wednesday, March 16

8:00 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF2 (Banaian) Zero-based budgeting required, and sunset advisory commission and sunset process established for state agencies.
Minnesota House of Representatives budget overview
General Fund Budget overviews by:
Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)
Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)
Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA)
Governor’s Office budget overview

1:00 PM
Senate Local Government and Elections
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ray Vandeveer
Agenda:
S.F. 509-Limmer: Voter photo identification requirement; picture identification issuance provisions; provisional balloting procedure establishment; electronic polling place roster use requirement; recount procedure enacting; appropriating money.
S.F. 479-Howe: Voter photo identification and issuance requirement; picture identification and issuance at no charge; provisional balloting procedure establishment.


Thursday, March 17


10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections Committee
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda:
HF1041 (Mack) State employee suggestion system for making state government less costly or more efficient established.
HF962 (Howes) Municipal tobacco license suspensions for sales to minors limited upon compliance with requirements.
HF681 (Downey) Minnesota pay for performance pilot program established, funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

State budget update; Trustees confirmed; Students, faculty testify; Alternative pathways passed; Transfer debated; Congress doesn't pass funding

Legislative Update
March 4, 2011

February forecast shows $1.2 billion improvement

Earlier this week, the February forecast was released predicting more than a billion dollar improvement from a $6.2 billion budget deficit to a $5.028 billion deficit for the 2012-2013 biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter said, “Federal action created some additional stimulus, and that’s what you see here.” Most of the additional revenue in the forecast comes from a temporary stimulus package of tax cuts passed by Congress in December. However State Economist Tom Stinson said that the unrest in the Middle East threatens to raise the price of oil and gasoline, which he said could diminish or even erase whatever stimulus the December tax package provided. The forecast documents can be found on the Minnesota Management and Budget Web site.

Following the announcement, Gov. Mark Dayton said he would eliminate from his budget proposal a temporary surtax on the state’s highest income earners. That surtax increase would have generated $918 million over the biennium. He said he would also reinstate $200 million in proposed cuts he made to human services, transit and economic development programs.

At $5 billion, lawmakers and Gov. Dayton are still faced with a very large budget problem, and disagree on how to resolve it. Republican legislative leaders want to balance the budget through spending cuts only, and Dayton is proposing raising revenue through an income tax on the wealthy to resolve the majority of the deficit. Republicans have said any proposal with a tax increase included is “dead on arrival.”

Legislative leaders said today they are working on committee budget targets to be released next week. Finance committees will continue to work on spending bills prior to the March 25 deadline. When asked by the media today what the time frame will look like once the spending bills are sent to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said the chairs of the Ways and Means and Finance committees are working closely with the finance division chairs and they will let the process run its course. Zellers did indicate we can expect the bills to not be tied up in Ways and Means and Finance for weeks after the March 25 deadline. He said they tried to give themselves more time to solve the budget deficit this year, and then on the back end, allow for policy issues to be discussed.

Board of Trustees members confirmed by Senate committee

On Monday five of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustee members were confirmed by the Senate Higher Education committee. The full Senate still has to vote on the confirmation. The trustees include: Duane Benson, Phil Krinkie, Alfredo Oliveira, Tom Renier and Michael Vekich. Committee members asked questions of the trustees, including Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, who asked each trustee how they would feel about taking an oath to support the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. All five trustees said they would be happy to take an oath. Trustee Tom Renier said, “We feel we’re all here to make a good system even better.”

Students and faculty carry higher education message to the Senate

Senate Higher Education committee members heard from students and faculty with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota this week about the role higher education plays in their lives and in Minnesota, as well as the impact of cuts to the two systems. Some of the testimony included that of Geoff Dittberner, Vice President of the Minnesota State College Student Association. Dittberner said that without a strong Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, it would be impossible to meet the state's workforce needs, and he urged committee members to keep in mind the system's principles, which are access, opportunity and success; high quality learning; enhancing the global economic competitiveness; and innovating to meet educational needs.

Caitlin Stene, Vice Chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association, or MSUSA, told committee members that state university system students are interested in how they can push the system to be the most innovative in the nation. Stene also said the state cannot afford to restrict access to higher education. Chair of MSUSA, Andrew Spaeth, told members that the organization's 75,000 students would urge lawmakers to keep in the forefront of their minds that these students are the workforce of tomorrow.


Lawmakers pass legislation allowing alternative pathways to becoming a teacher

After a small conference committee met this week to work through the differences in the House and Senate versions of the alternative teacher licensure legislation, the House and Senate passed the report Thursday by a vote in the Senate of 46-19, followed by a House vote of 81-50. Under the measure, some of the requirements for teachers in alternative licensure programs include a 3.0 or higher grade point average; pass basic reading, writing and math skills exams; and obtain qualifying scores on subject area content exams and performance assessments. The bill grants the Board of Teaching authority to rescind an alternative teacher preparation program that fails to meet the requirements laid out in the bill. Lawmakers in opposition to the legislation said the bill is too open and does not stipulate enough quality assurance. Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, said she worries some alternative licensure programs will not hold high enough standards. Teacher union officials have said there are not enough supervision and oversight standards included in the bill. Some of the provisions Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius wanted to see in the bill did not make it in the final compromise, including assurances that the new teachers would be connected to higher education institutions.

Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, was given the opportunity to offer some closing remarks on the House floor due to his extensive involvement in the legislation in prior years. Mariani said while the bill, which reflects a compromise between Gov. Dayton and the authors, is not perfect, it will help address problems in some high-need areas. He compared the issue of alternative teacher licensure to open enrollment and post secondary enrollment options, or PSEO, under Gov. Rudy Perpich. He said both PSEO and open enrollment had massive opposition and many claimed it would ruin K-12 education. Mariani said those programs now enjoy great success and he believes alternative teacher licensure will as well.

After having reached a compromise earlier, Gov. Dayton is expected to sign the bill early next week.

Transfer discussion continues at Capitol

The issue of credit transfer was once again a topic of the House Higher Education committee this week with the introduction of HF 717. The bill author, Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, said he introduced the bill to continue advancing the discussion of transfer and push well-intended institutions to move the issue forward. The bill requires the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to adopt a policy requiring colleges and universities to grant credit for a course that is taken for credit at any college or university in the system.

Following Abeler's presentation of the bill, Mike Lopez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, spoke about the Improving Transfer of Credit report the system prepared in response to legislation from last session that required the system to develop and implement a plan to improve credit transfer within the system.

Lopez walked members through the Smart Transfer Plan which includes; establishing course outlines available on all college and university Web sites; e-Transcripts, which is an electronic transcript process for transfers within the system; a policy that clarifies that DARS and u.select databases are the official repository of course equivalencies between system colleges and universities; enhancements to the student appeals process, and information available to students; and continuous training for college and university staff who advise students in the area of transfer.

Chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association, Andrew Spaeth, told committee members that in coordination with the Office of the Chancellor, the student organizations completed a survey on transfer and continue to work together to make progress. Spaeth said the Board of Trustees has been involved and open to hearing students' concerns and recommendations regarding transfer.

Travis Johnson, president of the Minnesota State College Student Association, said he appreciates that the issue of transfer has received attention from the Legislature and the Board of Trustees and he views transfer as an area for continuous improvement.

The bill was held over for possible consideration in the committee's omnibus bill.

President signs measure to keep government running through March 18

With the expiration of the continuing resolution set to take place today, March 4, Congress passed legislation earlier this week that would extend the continuing resolution two weeks, and President Obama signed it into law Wednesday. This stopgap funding measure will keep government running through March 18. The Republican House and the Democratic Senate now need to work out a compromise on keeping government running through September 30 (the end of the fiscal year), and have both said they prefer a longer-term funding measure to a series of shorter-term ones.

Congress did not pass any of the 12 spending bills by the start of the 2011 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. While this is not uncommon, it has set off a series of stopgap measures, known as continuing resolutions. This allows the federal government to continue operating at current budget levels. What remains unclear right now is how much time it will take congressional leaders to come to an agreement by March 18 when they vary so significantly on what the budget should look like. You may recall the House Republicans previously passed legislation that makes $61 billion in cuts for the remainder of the fiscal year, which includes cuts to the maximum Pell Grant award by $845 from $5,550 to $4,705. Senate Democrats and the White House have proposed approximately $10 billion in cuts; the $4 billion in the stop gap measure signed by the President and $6.5 billion proposed Thursday.


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's web site.

Monday, March 7

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
SF 161 (Pederson) Lake Pepin phosphorus standard establishment
SF 196 (Pederson) Water rulemaking moratorium and study requirements
SF 449 (Magnus) Higher education veterans assistance program expiration date repeal

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
S.F. 504-Miller: Higher education institutions administrative spending cuts requirement.
S.F. 546-Fischbach: Senior citizen higher education program qualifying age modification.

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, March 8

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF339 (Kelly) Teacher employment contracts negotiation process identified.
HF464 (Norton) Teacher collective bargaining agreement deadline and process changed.
HF558 (Downey) Graduation-Required Assessment for Diploma mathematics exception removed.
HF329 (Bills) Public school employees prohibited from using public funds and resources to advocate to pass, elect, or defeat a political candidate, ballot question, or pending legislation.
If necessary, the committee will reconvene at 6pm in the Basement hearing room.

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF174 (Peppin) Department of Revenue required to issue a request for proposals for a tax analytics and business intelligence contract.
HF191 (Downey) Redundant Technology Elimination Act proposed, state agency information technology systems and services consolidated, Office of Enterprise Technology duties transferred, and money appropriated.
Minnesota Management and Budget budget overview: Commissioner Jim Schowalter

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Higher Education Facilities Authority Presentation
HF856 (Swedzinski) Tuition increase temporary freeze and permanent limitation at public higher education institutions.

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: Presentation of governor's Department of Labor and Industry budget proposal

1:00 PM
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Doug Magnus
Agenda:
"Agriculture's Contributions to Improving Water Quality"
Presentations from the MN Agriculture Water Resources Coalition, MN Department of Agriculture & University of Minnesota

Wednesday, March 9

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF192 (Downey) Reinventing Government Employment Act proposed, public employee compensation freeze provided and future compensation method determined, state employee gainsharing system established, and state contract restrictions with private vendors removed.

6:00 PM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF273 (Woodard) Students at low-performing schools enrollment options established.
HF638 (Myhra) School grading system created, school recognition program created, school report cards modified, rulemaking authorized, and report required.
HF617 (Woodard) AmeriCorps Innovation aligned to federal law.
HF575 (Erickson) Probationary teacher and principal status governing requirements clarified.

Thursday, March 10

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: HF821 (Nornes) Senior citizen higher education program eligibility changed.
University of Minnesota Presentation on Agriculture Initiatives


Monday, March 14

1:00 PM
Senate Local Government and Elections
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ray Vandeveer
Agenda:
S.F. 509-Limmer: Voter photo identification requirement; picture identification issuance provisions; provisional balloting procedure establishment; electronic polling place roster use requirement; recount procedure enacting; appropriating money.
S.F. 479-Howe: Voter photo identification and issuance requirement; picture identification and issuance at no charge; provisional balloting procedure establishment.