Mediator may be called in for budget talks; U.S. Congress works on budget; No Child Left Behind discussed; Citizen League wants your opinion

No budget deal yet

As Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leadership look to a special session to set the budget for the 2012-2013 biennium, the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy met yesterday to hold public conversations about the status of the state budget. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter and Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans were asked to speak in front of the panel, but Dayton called the hearing "political theater," and said they would not appear before the commission as requested. Republicans expressed disappointment in their absence. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said she expects the commission to meet again next Tuesday and will once again invite the two commissioners.

Meanwhile, Dayton has said a third-party mediator may be needed to end the budget impasse, but Republican leaders have rejected that idea. House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said they were elected to lead. Koch said she remains optimistic that they can reach agreement before July 1.

Gov. Dayton and Republican leaders met earlier today to talk about the budget and begin negotiations to set the stage for a special session, and both sides called it productive. The deadline leaders are now working against is June 30, the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Both parties have said they agreed to meetings beginning next week. Koch said the scheduled meetings call for a budget agreement by June 21 and a special session starting June 27; however, Dayton said he won't call a special session until there's a deal.

Congress working to set fiscal year 2012 budget

The U.S. House of Representatives has been working hard to pass all 12 fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills, and so far the Homeland Security bill and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill have passed the full House. Four other spending bills; Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, Defense, and Agriculture have passed their respective House subcommittees and are awaiting action by the full Appropriations Committee and will then move to the House floor. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education bill is still awaiting action. The Senate appropriations subcommittees, while holding hearings, have not started marking up the bills yet. The Senate has been on recess this week while the House was in session. The House is scheduled to recess this coming week, starting June 6.

U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan visits Minnesota

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Minnesota this week to discuss education, specifically the No Child Left Behind law. Duncan said the law is too punitive. "We simply can't continue to have the law on the books as an impediment to progress, this impediment to rewarding excellence. We're pushing Congress to act with greater urgency than you normally see," Duncan said. He said President Obama would like to have a new education law in place by the new school year this fall. Sec. Duncan also reflected upon the need for higher education providers to certify that standards required for high school graduation truly reflect college ready requirements and expectations.

Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Congressman John Kline, of the second district in Minnesota said about Duncan's visit, "I'm pleased Secretary Duncan will be in my home state of Minnesota (today) to discuss education. Our education system is in critical need of improvement, but we have all seen what can result when Congress hastily crafts sweeping legislation to meet an arbitrary deadline. The future success of America's students is far too important to risk on a flawed process. Instead of focusing on timelines and rhetoric, the House Education and the Workforce Committee is advancing a series of thoughtful reform initiatives that will address key areas for improvement in the nation's classrooms. Just last week, the committee approved the Setting New Priorities in Education Spending Act, which will streamline and simplify the federal role in education…It is time to set preconceived notions aside and chart a new course that encourages innovation, reduces federal regulatory burdens, and puts the needs of students first. We look forward to working with the administration and the Senate in this effort."

Citizens League higher education study

The Citizens League, which involves citizens in studying public issues and developing policy solutions at the state and local levels, has published the first phase of its higher education study in the Minnesota Journal.

"Higher education-education beyond high school-is integral to the fabric of our nation and our state. In Minnesota, higher education has produced visionary and entrepreneurial leadership, productive workers, world-class research, engaged and active citizens, and increased equality and opportunity for many of our citizens. But there is growing concern that Minnesota’s higher education system is failing to deliver the outcomes-the educated workforce and informed citizenry-our state needs to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Our system of higher education is challenged by rising tuition and costs, students arriving unprepared for the academic demands of college, a growing workforce demand for post-secondary skills, and the loss of our graduates’ competitive edge in the global economy. As these pressures mount, we can no longer afford to ask should something be done. It is essential that we ask, and answer, not only what should be done and how, but why."

The May/June 2011 Minnesota Journal publication can be found here.

Performance based funding in public higher education financing

States around the country, including Minnesota, are grappling with budget deficits and cuts to public higher education. At the same time, there has been an increased value on human capital for economic security, which has led to President Obama's goal of leading the world in the proportion of college graduates by 2020. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities, or AASCU, has released the latest installment from its Policy Matters series entitled; Performance-Based Funding: A Re-emerging Strategy in Public Higher Education Financing. The policy brief looks at performance-based funding as one means of improving institutional effectiveness. The complete brief can be found here.

Final hours of the state session; Congress talks budget

Legislative Update
May 20, 2010

The last week of the legislative session usually brings with it many twists and turns as legislative leaders and the governor attempt to negotiate a session ending deal. This week has been no exception. Republican legislative leaders were hoping to reach a deal with Gov. Dayton prior to sending him the budget bills. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, has said all along that they don't want to send the governor bills that he will veto. But as the clock started ticking without any sign of an agreement, both bodies went to work passing the conference reports in a quick 48-hour period working through the night. The higher education conference report was passed by the House overnight Tuesday by a vote of 69-57. The Senate passed the bill Thursday evening 35-31. As a reminder, the bill can be found here.

Republican leaders and Gov. Dayton continue to meet more frequently, but House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said there's a lot besides the number that has to be negotiated in the conference reports, especially from a policy standpoint, and time is running out. State government conferees met with the governor today and Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, co-chair of the state government conference committee, was positive after the meeting. Lanning said he thinks the governor better understands what they are doing in the bill, and said he also thinks he understands the governor's perspective on some issues. "It's unfortunate that we didn't have this kind of meeting earlier. But be that as it may, we're now I think on the right path here," Lanning said.

At the time of this update, both the House and Senate are in recess. Lawmakers and the governor plan to work over the weekend to try and reach a deal before midnight Monday. If they cannot, Gov. Dayton will need to call a special session in order to pass a budget.

The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8 late Thursday that sets the 2012 legislative session start date for Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at noon.

We will keep you updated on the weekend activities and will send out a complete summary when lawmakers adjourn the regular session.

Updates from Washington D.C.

A “Dear Colleague” letter is making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate having originated with Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., expressing support for keeping the Pell Grant maximum award at $5,550 in fiscal year 2012. Many members of Congress have signed on to the letter. The House letter can
be found here.


The U.S. Department of Education released the final fiscal year 2011 funding information, which provides more details about the specific program cuts made when Congress passed the 2011 budget last month. You may recall the Pell Grant program was funded at the maximum award level of $5,550, but other programs did not fare as well. The detail can be
found here.

Congress will meet next week, and then the Senate will recess for a week beginning Monday, May 30, and the House will recess the following week, starting Monday, June 6.

Budget deal coming?: Conference committee bills move; U.S. Congress reviews job training; Senate considers DREAM Act; Federal budget talk timeline

Legislative Update
May 13, 2011


Conference reports demonstrate momentum with 10 days remaining

Higher education, K-12 education and state government are among the conference reports conferees have negotiated to a single legislative position this week. Gov. Dayton said the conference reports need to only be posted, not sent to the floors for passage by the full Legislature, before he will start negotiating, so we should see the governor start to engage. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said legislative leaders want the governor to sign the bills. “We don’t want to send a bill to veto land,” Michel said. He said they’re still optimistic and there’s plenty of time to reach agreement.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said there’s an increase in the level of engagement with the governor and his staff. Koch said once the committee reports are posted, they will work with the governor to achieve a timeline. When asked by the media why leadership has not publicly released their conference committee targets, Koch said they are “working targets,” that are continually moving. She indicated the target position will be posted with the conference committee reports. When asked if leadership is moving away from the $34 billion budget target down to $32 billion with further cuts in some of the bills, Koch wouldn’t comment, but said they will continue to live with what’s in the checkbook. “We ultimately want agreement with the governor,” Koch said.

House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said he is confident the work can be completed because Gov. Dayton and Republican leaders get along well. “This is a game of personal relationships,” Zellers said, and called Dayton a very genuine man. Dayton left this afternoon for the governor’s fishing opener in Grand Rapids with an expected return of Saturday evening. Lawmakers plan to meet in floor session Saturday, and leaders will work through the weekend to get closer to a deal. Dayton is expected to engage in negotiations this weekend when he returns. Given this movement, many wonder if a May 23 adjournment is within reach. Still remaining however, is the philosophical difference that exists between Republican legislators and the governor on raising taxes. Stay tuned.

Higher education conferees finalize bill

Conferees wrapped up the higher education finance bill Thursday night. The cut for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system ended up at $130 million, or 10.7 percent, for the 2012-2013 biennium from the fiscal year 2011 base doubled. (If you look at the numbers from the fiscal year 2012-2013 forecasted base, the cut comes out to be $180 million, or 14.3 percent, over the biennium). The total appropriation for the system each year is $540.5 million, down from the fiscal year 2011 budget of $605 million.

The House language that provided for a one percent performance set aside of state appropriation was included in the report and will be made available based on the achievement of three of five goals. Those goals include; (1) increase by at least seven percent, compared to fiscal year 2009, graduates or degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred; (2) increase by at least ten percent, compared to fiscal year 2010, the number of students of color; (3) increase by at least fifteen percent, compared to fiscal year 2010, the full year equivalent enrollment of students taking online or blended courses or the number of online and blended sections; (4) increase by at least one percent the fall 2011 persistence and completion rate for fall 2010 entering students compared to the fall 2010 rate for fall 2009 entering students; and (5) decrease by at least two percent, compared to calendar year 2009, total energy per square foot.

Also related to the budget, the House language was adopted that requires the Board of Trustees to place the highest priority on meeting the needs of employers for a skilled workforce when making reductions, approving programs of study, establishing requirements for completion of programs, and approving course offerings and requirements for credentials. The Board is also required to focus on the efficient delivery of higher education, eliminate duplication throughout the system and streamline the operation of the system to provide an education that prepares students for the workforce needs of Minnesota.

The bill caps tuition for the state universities at five percent in the first year of the biennium and four percent in the second year. For the state colleges, the bill caps tuition at three percent each year of the biennium. Regarding tuition and fees, language was included in the bill that reads; "The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must limit the rate of increase for any mandatory fee charged to a student at a university or college to four percent per year in the biennium ending June 30, 2013, unless a higher increase is approved by a public majority vote by the recognized campus student association." Mandatory fees are those that are generally charged to all students at a college or university.

Also adopted in the report is the House language regarding the undergraduate tuition guarantee plan that encourages the Board of Trustees to offer entering students a plan providing stable tuition for two-years for students pursuing a two-year degree, or four-years for students pursuing a four-year degree.

The language on credit transfer originally in the House bill was amended and then adopted that reads; “When providing the report required by Laws 2010, chapter 364, section 38, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall provide the information about progress made toward achieving the goals described in the system's Smart Transfer Plan, and shall provide information about the number of students transferring between and among the system's two- and four-year institutions during the previous fiscal year. In addition, the Board of Trustees shall include a system study of mechanisms for effective transfer in other states.”

Conferees put more money into the state grant program to partially fund the state grant projected deficit for 2012-2013. The program will see an additional $21.1 million over the biennium. This equates to a $6 million decrease from the House position and a $14 million increase from the Senate position.

The language relating to senior citizen tuition that was in both the House and Senate bills, was included in the final conference report. The language reverses the law set last session that moved the age from 62 to 66 to receive tuition benefits. This language moves the age back to 62.

And finally, the House repealers were adopted. They include; the requirement for public institutions to sell American-made clothing and apparel in their bookstores to the extent possible; the requirement that public employers purchase or require employees to furnish uniform or protective accessories that are made in America; the matching state grant program that is part of the Minnesota College Savings plan; and the requirement to provide one-time Achieve grants to students who were eligible before Jan. 1, 2009 and have not yet been awarded the grant.

Some of the provisions not adopted in the conference report include the language that says any transformational initiatives in the system can only be funded out of the Office of the Chancellor and shared services appropriation; the cap of $120,000 (governor’s salary) on the chancellor and presidents salaries; the allocation of any system salary savings to be used to mitigate tuition increases or allocated under the Board's allocation model; and the provision that requires the system to do a comprehensive evaluation of the system's structure and report back to the Legislature.

The spreadsheet for the bill is attached to this email for your review. The conference report is available here.

Legislative leaders have indicated they will hang onto the conference reports and not sign them in order to negotiate a global agreement with the governor.

State government conference committee reaches tentative agreement

There was quite a bit of activity in the state government conference committee this week. Earlier in the week, conferees spent time discussing state employees, including the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's employees in relation to the provisions in the bill. Russ Stanton with the Inter Faculty Organization, or IFO, testified that the IFO supports the House language that exempts the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system faculty and administrators from the salary freeze. Stanton said the system has already taken reductions, and the current higher education bill already includes cuts.

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter said he appreciates the interest in the competitiveness for the employees in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, but would hope the rest of state government would be exempt from a salary freeze as well. Schowlater said he understands the budget situation, but a salary freeze puts the state at a competitive disadvantage and will not get Minnesota where leaders are looking to go as a state. “We need to develop a trained and skillful workforce,” Schowalter said, and asked conferees to look at the policy from a workforce point of view as well. He said the language doesn't provide for any flexibility.

In regards to exempting the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system from many of the state agency cuts or salary freeze, Rep. Mike Benson, R-Rochester, told Senate conferees that he sits on the higher education committee and heard the commitment the system already has on trimming the budget. He said the system has done a good job of managing costs and has already demonstrated the ability to look at the efficiencies needed to bring costs down. Co-Chair Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said the Legislature should treat the system the same way they treat the University of Minnesota. Rep. Keith Downey, R-Edina, echoed Benson's comments, and added that the Office of the Chancellor has already undergone a lot of scrutiny in regards to the system's back office functions. Downey said the Office of the Legislative Auditor recommended a couple "tweaks" last year, but overall the system functions well.

As the end of the week drew near, conferees began taking action not only on identical and similar language between the House and Senate bills, and some of the more controversial policy provisions, but began to talk money. Conferees reached a tentative agreement Thursday night to set the overall cut to state government operations at 34 percent, which more closely resembles the House bill. Lanning said conferees will not sign the report right away, but instead will discuss it with Gov. Dayton and his administration. Another conference committee is scheduled for Monday evening. Once the report is available, it will be posted here.

Congressional review of job training programs in higher education subcommittee

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education held a hearing earlier this week regarding removing inefficiencies in the nation’s job training programs. This is a subcommittee of the House Education and the Workforce Committee chaired by Rep. John Kline, R-MN.

The Government Accountability Office, or GAO, identified 47 separate employment and training programs administered across nine federal agencies, which cost an estimated $18 billion in fiscal year 2009. The hearing was an attempt to look at consolidation and improved coordination among workforce development programs. Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-NC, asked for ideas of red tape that can be eliminated. She said the administrative dollars in this type of work can be spent better, and believes the states provide an opportunity to innovate.

Andrew Sherrill, Director for Education, Workforce and Income Security in the GAO office, discussed the benefits of co-location services, which allows a better delivery of services for clients. Sherrill researched states that consolidate services and agencies, and some states said they were able to save money from greater administrative efficiencies; however, they were unable to quantify it.

Larry Temple, Executive Director of the Texas Workforce Commission, provided an example of what’s been done in Texas. Temple said in 1995, the Legislature created the Texas Workforce Commission combining 20 plus services into one new commission. Temple said when leaders were asked to create the commission, there was no example or blue plan to follow so it was created without much knowledge on what should be done. He said the workforce commission has been able to save a lot of money by consolidating the services, especially in rural areas.

Evelyn Ganzglass, Director of Workforce Development with the Center for Law and Social Policy, said her organization does not believe in a one-size fits all approach. She said physical co-locations of services are not always the best fit. Ganzglass said the Center for Law and Social Policy believes Congress should align programs and encourage organizations to work together, provide multiple pathways to postsecondary education, and streamline paperwork with eligibility requirements.

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, asked Dr. Sherrill if he found any duplication of services between the 47 employment and training programs. Sherrill responded that GAO found some overlap, but did not find any duplication. For example, Sherrill said they found TANF recipients who received training, also received training employment services. Chairwoman Foxx said she understands the local level is working on programs to help local people, but bureaucrats in Washington are trying to regulate the programs. Foxx said she thinks the nation might be better off by sending the money to the states and letting the states regulate their workforce programs.
An archived webcast of the hearing is available here.

DREAM Act re-introduced in Senate

On Tuesday, President Obama outlined a plan for immigration reform that included the DREAM Act, which was then reintroduced in the U.S. House and Senate on Wednesday. The DREAM Act would provide certain undocumented youth who have been in the United States for at least five years, have good moral character, complete high school or earn their GED, and complete two years of college or military service, the opportunity to apply for permanent legal status. The bill also includes a repeal of the ban on in-state tuition for undocumented students.

In support of the DREAM Act, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-CO, said, “The Administration can and should act now to grant deferred action to exemplary students who meet the rigorous requirements for eligibility under the DREAM Act. Not only will these children be better off for it, our country will be better off as well.” In response, House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-TX, argued, “I am sympathetic to the young illegal immigrant children who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents, but the DREAM Act doesn't solve our illegal immigration problem, it exacerbates it. Amnesty will encourage millions more parents to bring their children to the U.S. illegally."


Allocation and timeline announced for fiscal year 2012 budget

This week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee announced the fiscal year 2012 allocations for each of the 12 appropriations subcommittees and provided a tentative timeline for action on the bills. The 2012 allocation for the Labor, HHS, Education Subcommittee is being proposed at $139.2 billion, which is approximately $18 billion less than the fiscal year 2011 level at $157.4 billion. In comparison, President Obama is recommending an appropriation of $180 billion to Labor, HHS, Education for fiscal year 2012. This reduction in funding raises concern about funding the Pell Grant Program. Committee Chairman, Hal Rogers, R-KY, said he anticipates the committee mark-up and approval of all 12 appropriation bills before the August recess. The mark-up for Labor, HHS, Education is scheduled for July 26 for the Subcommittee and August 2 for the full Appropriations Committee. “I promised when I became Chairman that I would complete our Appropriations work on time and on budget, and I will do everything I can to fulfill that promise,” Rogers said.

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.

Saturday, May 14

10:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
House in Session

Monday, May 16

8:00 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda:
HF211 (Wardlow) Liability limits modified for tort claims against the state and political subdivisions, conciliation court claims regulated, right of appeal provided on class action orders, statute of limitations on claims modified, prejudgment interest modified, attorney fees regulated, and cause of action for sex trafficking violations provided.
HF637 (Drazkowski) Food, beverage, and lodging establishment statutes exemption modified.
HF705 (Crawford) Counties permitted to perform private audits that meet state auditor requirements, publication and reporting requirements eliminated, surplus law library funds provided, county clerk hiring requirements repealed, seed and feed loan provisions repealed, Ramsey County Community Corrections Department duties provided, and clarifying and technical changes made.
HF1025 (Beard) Energy provisions modified relating to energy rates, energy conservation and savings programs, utility cost recovery and investments, qualifying facilities and non generating utilities, energy-related rate impacts, large energy customers, cold weather notices to energy consumers, hydropower, an innovative energy project, transmission lines, Public Utilities Commission approval for security issuance by utilities, assessments, establishment of Energy Reliability and Intervention Office, the Energy Conservation Information Center and residential weatherization programs, and membership in Melrose Public Utilities Commission.
HF1068 (Beard) Transportation and public safety policies governing provisions provided including data practices, bicycles and bikeways and bridges, transportation construction contracts, motor vehicles, traffic regulations, driver licensing and training, alternative financing for transportation projects, railroads, motor carriers and commercial drivers, and agency reporting, establishing fees and an account, pilot program expanded, seaplane base variance provided, provisions repealed, technical changes made, and money appropriated.
HF1423 (Gottwalt) Adoption assistance reform, child protection, child support, and technical and conforming amendments provided.
HF191 (Downey) Redundant Technology Elimination Act proposed, state agency information technology systems and services consolidated, Office of Enterprise Technology duties transferred, and money appropriated.
HF1261 (Holberg) Metropolitan area transit and paratransit capital expenditure additional financing provided, and certain obligations issued.
SF346 / HF554 the language of HF554 (Johnson) will be offered as a delete-everything amendment to SF346 .

6:00 PM
Conference Committee on S.F. 1047: Omnibus state government bill
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Sen. Mike Parry and Rep. Morrie Lanning
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Parry; Gazelka; Thompson; Daley; Vandeveer
HOUSE: Lanning; Downey; Benson; Stensrud; Anderson
Agenda: S.F. 1047-Parry: Omnibus state government, military affairs and veterans affairs appropriations; Minnesota Sunset Act.

Higher education conference committee mets; Trustee Englund confirmed; Senior citizens bill moves; State government bill stalled; Congress meets

Legislative Update
May 6, 2011

Conferees hear testimony on the importance of higher education

The higher education conference committee met this week to hear testimony from those organizations affected by the House and Senate higher education bills. Testifying on behalf of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system was Chancellor Jim McCormick who asked conferees to provide the system with as much flexibility as possible so that there are tools available to preserve services to students as budgets are being reduced.

McCormick said the Board of Trustees, presidents, students, faculty and staff have been grappling with the fiscal challenges the state has been facing for several years. He asked conferees to do what they can to minimize budget cuts to the system. He said the colleges and universities enrollment is at a record setting pace, and the institutions want to continue being able to provide the education students seek. McCormick said, “The students and the institutions that comprise the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are a national success story. We offer high quality, affordable education to the people of Minnesota, and we ask your help in protecting and preserving this public asset in the years ahead.”

Also offering a message of minimizing cuts to higher education was University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks who said the University of Minnesota is one of the most productive universities in America, and cuts will erode the University's mission. Bruininks said the University expects to be part of the solution, but if the proposed cuts were enacted, it would take them back to 1998. He said state funding is essential to the quality of the University of Minnesota.

Ted Tollefson, Metropolitan State University faculty, informed conferees that he chose to teach at Metropolitan State because he supports the mission of the system; to provide an accessible and affordable education. Tollefson said higher education is an expense, but it is also an investment.

Kevin Lindstrom, Vice President for the Minnesota State College Faculty, told conferees that MSCF is concerned with how the cuts will impact access, quality, the communities they serve, and morale among the faculty. Lindstrom also said that the cuts will force bad decisions that will be the beginning of a downward spiral.

Don Larsson, President of the Inter Faculty Organization, and Russ Stanton, Director of Government Relations for the IFO, both testified that the IFO would like to see improvements in appropriation to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Stanton said the Board of Trustees tuition consultation process with the system should be allowed to work and the Legislature should not set tuition in law. Larsson said the IFO does not support salary caps for presidents or the chancellor. He said Minnesota needs quality people in those positions.

Andrew Spaeth, Chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association told conferees that the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is a valuable asset for the state of Minnesota. Spaeth also informed members that the best form of financial aid is low tuition, and that cutting the system to fully fund the state grant program sacrifices quality to the system.

Members listened to all the testimony and adjourned the meeting. Co-chair Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, holds the gavel and will call the next conference committee meeting, likely next week.

With two weeks left, lawmakers and governor are not any closer to an agreement

Committees met this week to process policy bills before the final deadline today, and some of the conference committees made progress by adopting provisions that are the same or similar between the House and Senate versions. However, Gov. Dayton asked Republican legislative leaders to pick up the pace on the budget and said he would rather go to a special session than agree to the current legislative budget plan of $34 billion.

Republican leadership has said throughout session that the state will live within its means, and the budget will be at $34 billion, and the ten budget bills reflect that. When asked this week if they would move off that position to avoid a special session, Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said you need 34 votes in the Senate, 68 votes in the House and ultimately the governor’s signature, and indicated there is a way to work with the governor. Koch went on to say the Republican caucus is not going to raise taxes, but there are two-and-a-half weeks left to continue discussions.

Gov. Dayton continues to say he will negotiate with legislative leadership when they have a single position through passage of the conference committee reports. Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, co-chair of the state government conference committee, said this afternoon that he is disturbed that the governor does not want to engage during the conference committee process. “This means I have no idea how this is going to wrap up by May 23,” Lanning said. Koch said conference committees would meet six days next week and hopes some conference reports might be able to be brought to the floor for a vote. With only two weeks from Monday, Capitol watchers are not very hopeful there will be a May 23 adjournment, but two weeks in the legislative world is actually a very long time. Stay tuned.

Senate confirms Trustee Englund

Senate Higher Education committee members unanimously confirmed Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustee member Jacob Englund earlier today. The committee’s confirmation will head next to the Senate floor, where it is to be taken up by the full Senate with the other five trustees confirmed earlier by the committee. Those trustees are: Duane Benson, Phil Krinkie, Alfredo Oliveira, Tom Renier and Michael Vekich.

Sen. Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato, asked Trustee Englund what he believes to be the most critical issues the system faces. “Students are our number one priority,” Englund said. He said the budget is the biggest issue trustees are currently dealing with, and he tries to think about students when making budget decisions, which includes keeping tuition as low as possible. Englund said he also thinks about students when determining how to maintain a quality education in this time of budget reductions. As a trustee, Englund said he sees his responsibility as meeting the needs of the workforce, providing an affordable education and getting students out the door with a great education.

Senior citizen tuition bill moves through process

On the House floor this week, HF 821, a bill introduced by Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, that reduces the age from 66 to 62 for senior citizens to receive reduced tuition, passed by a vote of 126-4. The Senate also took action on the bill this week. The Senate Higher Education committee took up the bill today and amended it to include language that exempts the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities farm or small business management program that includes on-site individualized instruction, from the tuition benefit.

After a long discussion about the merits of offering free tuition to senior citizens, and at what age the benefit should be offered, if at all, Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, offered an amendment, that was eventually approved, that brings the age to 64 for senior citizen students to receive free tuition. The bill was sent to the floor.

The original senior citizen language (that does not include the two amendments adopted today) is also included in both the House and Senate versions of the higher education finance omnibus bill. As a reminder, this language would reverse the law passed last session that increased the age from 62 to 66.

Stalemate for the state government conference committee

The ten conferees for the state government finance bill met early in the week and adopted policy provisions that were the same or similar in the House and Senate versions of the bill. One of the provisions adopted includes the plan to create a “Sunset Advisory Commission.” This group would be tasked with recommending the abolishment or reorganization of state agencies based on certain criteria like duplicative services. Another provision includes requiring the Department of Administration to issue a request for proposals for a “strategic sourcing initiative” to save money on state procurement.

The House sponsor, Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said adopting the provisions that are the same or similar between the two bills is the easy part. The bigger question, he said, is the fiscal provisions, which conferees attempted to tackle today. One of the provisions with substantive differences between the House and Senate bill is the salary freeze provision. The House bill exempts Minnesota State Colleges and Universities faculty and administrators from the freeze, but the Senate bill does not. As of the time of this writing, conferees have not debated that specific provision, or any others, because testimony from the affected agencies changed the course of the conference committee meeting.

Commissioners that represent the affected agencies in the state government bill testified to what a 15 percent reduction to their workforce would mean to their respective agencies. Governor Dayton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Michele Kelm-Helgen was asked about the governor’s position on the state government bill. Kelm-Helgen reiterated what Gov. Dayton said publicly this morning, that it is important the House and Senate establish one position in order to be compared to the governor’s position. She said once the positions are clear, then the governor will begin negotiating on the bill. Lanning questioned if the governor understands that his viewpoint will only delay finding a resolution on the budget. Co-Chair Sen. Mike Parry, R-Waseca, asked if the governor think his commissioners should be presenting worst case scenarios to the committee. Kelm-Helgen said that while she cannot speak for him, the governor feels it’s important that the commissioners articulate the potential impacts of the bill.

Chair Parry recessed the committee in order for Minnesota Management and Budget, or MMB, Commissioner Jim Schowalter to provide detail to the conferees regarding the direction provided to the respective commissioners on the bill. During the recess, Lanning and Parry held a press conference and said it’s clear that the agencies believe the bill does a lot of things it does not. Lanning said the commissioners are painting the worst case scenario, which is an exaggeration of the bill. He said the 15 percent reduction to certain agencies is not going to happen right away, but rather over four years, which is a misunderstanding. Lanning also said misinformation is being circulated that the 15 percent reduction is on top of other reductions in other bills, and clarified that every department is not going to receive a 15 percent reduction, but rather it is a goal across the state.

Congress returns to Washington and discusses the debt ceiling

After a brief recess last week for members of Congress to return to their home districts, Congress reconvened this week where the debate has centered on the fiscal year 2012 federal budget and the debt ceiling. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said this week that trillions in real spending cuts should be made if the debt ceiling is raised. The $14.3 trillion legal limit on borrowing will be reached by Aug. 2, and Republicans are calling for immediate cuts and spending caps as concessions from the Obama Administration to raise the debt limit. Democrats have talked about a debt trigger that would require automatic tax increases or spending cuts later to ensure the debt is declining as a percentage of the economy. The debt ceiling has been raised almost 100 times since the early 1900’s.

Upcoming Education and Workforce Committee hearing

Minnesota Congressman John Kline, Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, announced a hearing for Wednesday, May 18, at 9:00 a.m. (CST) on “Removing Inefficiencies in the Nation’s Job Training Programs.” Webcasts of committee hearings are available at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/Webcast/

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, May 9

8:00 AM (will reconvene 30 minutes after session)
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 54-Jungbauer: Claims against the state appropriation.
S.F. 288-Howe: Dental laboratories regulations.
S.F. 1244-Dahms: Wetland conservation act provisions modifications; state environmental permit coordination and management requirements; environmental review procedures modifications; consumptive use of water permit authority.
S.F. 920-Gimse: Miscellaneous transportation and highway provisions modifications.
S.F. 918-Gerlach: Microdistilleries and various liquor licenses authorization.
S.F. 1363-Ingebrigtsen: Outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund appropriations and provisions modifications; outdoor heritage provisions modifications; Clean Water Legacy Act and clean water council provisions modifications.

8:30 AM
Conference Committee on S.F. 887: Omnibus jobs and economic development
Room: 107 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Geoff Michel and Rep. Bob Gunther
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Michel; Pederson; Miller; Daley; Lillie
HOUSE: Gunther; Hoppe; McFarlane; Sanders; Kieffer
Agenda:
S.F. 887-Michel: Omnibus jobs and economic growth and development appropriations.

8:30 AM
Conference Committee on H.F. 42: Omnibus tax bill
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman and Rep. Greg Davids
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Ortman; Rosen; Senjem; Chamberlain; Limmer
HOUSE: Davids; Lenczewski; Runbeck; Anderson; Loon
Agenda: H.F. 42-Ortman: Omnibus tax bill.

9:00 AM
Conference Committee on S.F. 1030: K-12 education
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chairs: Sen. Gen Olson and Rep. Pat Garofalo
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Olson; Nelson; Thompson; Kruse; Wolf
HOUSE: Garofalo; Kelly; Doepke; Fabian; Erickson
Agenda: S.F. 1030-Olson, G.: Omnibus early childhood through grade 12 education policy provisions modifications and appropriations.

10:30 AM
Senate in Session

Tuesday, May 10

10:15 AM
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: HF959 (Howes) Flood hazard mitigation grant funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Wednesday, May 11
3:00 PM (or 15 minutes after session)
Senate Capital Investment
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David H. Senjem
Agenda: To be announced

6:30 PM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda:
H.F. 409 (Poppe); S.F. xxxx: IRAP/TRA; MnSCU employee retirement coverage specified, and employer required to provide certain notices.
H.F. 1354 (Lesch); S.F. 1088 (Pappas): SPTRFA; Postretirement adjustment procedures revised, refund interest rate reduced, interest payments on reemployed annuitant savings accounts terminated, and deferred annuity augmentation rate lowered.
H.F. 1628 (Murphy, M.); S.F. xxxx: DTRFA; Definition for vesting added, and leave of absence, retirement, survivor, and disability benefits eligibility modified.
H.F. 1668 (Murphy, M.); S.F. xxxx: PERA; Duluth and Duluth Airport Authority optional correction of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions.
H.F. 1528 (Morrow); S.F. 1277 (Sheran): MSRS; Increased annuity for survivors of DOT employee killed while engaged in emergency response to flooding.
Other Items as Designated by the Commission Chair.

Schedules posted

As a reminder, legislators are on break. Here is a preview of what to expect when lawmakers come back to work next week.

Monday, April 25
Easter/Passover Legislative Break

Tuesday, April 26
8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF1487 (Myhra) Statewide literacy initiative formulated to ensure students succeed in achieving grade-level reading proficiency by the end of grade 3, and data provided to improve student outcomes.
HF1381 (Erickson) Prekindergarten through grade 12 education policy provided, including general education, education excellence, special programs, facilities and technology, early childhood education, and student transportation.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 509-Limmer: Voter photo identification requirement; picture identification issuance provisions; provisional balloting procedure establishment; challenged voter eligibility list establishment; electronic polling place roster standard for use establishment and use.

8:30 AM
Conference Committee on H.F. 42: Omnibus tax bill
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman and Rep. Greg Davids
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Ortman; Rosen; Senjem; Chamberlain; Limmer
HOUSE: Davids; Lenczewski; Runbeck; Anderson; Loon
Agenda: H.F. 42-Ortman: Omnibus tax bill.

9:00 AM
Conference Committee on S.F. 887: Omnibus jobs and economic development
Room: 107 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Geoff Michel and Rep. Bob Gunther
CONFEREES:
SENATE: Michel; Pederson; Miller; Daley; Lillie
HOUSE: Gunther; Hoppe; McFarlane; Sanders; Kieffer
Agenda: S.F. 887-Michel: Omnibus jobs and economic growth and development appropriations.

10:30 AM
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Chris Gerlach
Agenda:
SF 26 (Rest): Homeowners insurance surcharge disclosure requirement
SF 918 (Gerlach) Omnibus Liquor Bill
SF 1208 (Sparks) Life insurance and title insurance reserves regulation

12:00 PM
House in Session

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

7:30 PM
House Taxes
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda:
HF1231 (Paymar) Policy, technical, administrative, enforcement, and other changes made to individual income, corporate franchise, estate, sales and use, property, insurance, and other taxes and tax-related provisions, and conforming to Internal Revenue Code changes.
*NOTE: HF1231 is Governor Dayton's tax plan*

Legislature works to balance budget; Governor hosts higher ed round table; Conference committee met; President Obama signs budget bill

Legislative Update
April 15, 2011

Four working weeks remain to resolve $5 billion budget deficit

This week the agriculture finance bill made its way through conference committee, and the final conference report was approved by both bodies before sending it to Gov. Dayton for consideration. Dayton signed the bill today saying it closely matches his recommendations and fits within his budget framework. The bill accounts for less than 1 percent of the state's total general fund budget. Included in the bill is $94,000 each year of the biennium for statewide mental health counseling support to farm families and business operators through farm business management programs at Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said today that she is pleased the Legislature is three weeks ahead of last year’s schedule with the budget bills and called the signing of the agriculture bill a success. Legislative leaders characterized the current situation as one budget bill down (signed by the governor), nine more to go.

The signing of the agriculture bill was a moment of optimism in an otherwise tough week of disagreement and criticism between the Republican legislative leadership and Gov. Dayton. Dayton accused Republicans of pulling budget savings “out of thin air.” He said the budget plan that passed the House floor and is now in conference committee, is $1.2 billion out of balance, and the Senate approved plan is $1.1 billion off. Koch said Republicans are willing to work with Dayton to come up with numbers that they can both agree on. Republican legislative leaders continue to emphasize they do not support a tax increase as part of the solution to the deficit.

The House and Senate are scheduled to meet Monday for short floor sessions prior to recessing for a week-long Easter/Passover break. When asked today if leadership thinks they can come to an agreement with Gov. Dayton prior to the adjournment date of May 23, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel, R-Edina, said he sees a parallel to what is happing in Washington D.C., where Democrats in Washington have agreed with Republicans to cut spending and scale back some tax increases. Michel said the agreement in Washington “sets the tone for what we can do here.”

Koch said lawmakers will meet with constituents and hold town hall meetings over the break, but she said she also hopes they spend some much needed time with their families. Republican leaders did say they will continue meeting with Gov. Dayton’s office next week as they work to reach a compromise on the remaining nine budget bills before May 23.

Governor holds higher education round table

A panel of higher education leaders, faculty, students and staff met this week at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul for Gov. Dayton's round table discussion on higher education. Dayton heard about the impact the House and Senate proposed budget cuts would likely have on higher education, and participants discussed the future of higher education. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Jim McCormick said that studies show by 2018, 70 percent of jobs in Minnesota will require postsecondary education, and the current degrees and certificates will not be enough for the country to advance globally. He said more people need to obtain degrees.

Another round table participant, Minnesota State University Student Association Chair Andrew Spaeth, said he's concerned about the future of Minnesota if the legislative proposed budget cuts are enacted. Spaeth said that the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is one of the most efficient systems in the country already.

President of Metropolitan State University Sue Hammersmith said there is a direct relationship between the disinvestment on the part of the state and the increasing tuition burden on the students. President Terry Leas of Riverland Community College said decisions will have to be made, whether it's closing programs to balance the budget or cut off access. Leas said his college has nationally recognized programs, yet they will have to choose among them when deciding what to cut.

Metropolitan State University professor Monte Bute said higher education is a public good and told Gov. Dayton that if he stands up for the public good, there are many Minnesotans who will as well. Gov. Dayton said the round table discussion gave him a strengthening of his resolve to stand firm on minimal cuts and resist the deeper cuts being proposed in the House and Senate bills.

There are other round tables scheduled to discuss higher education, including Congresswoman Betty McCollum's round table Thursday, April 28 at 9:30 a.m. at Metropolitan State University with a focus on the potential consequences of the federal budget cuts to higher education. On Tuesday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, DFL state legislators from around the 8th Congressional District, along with the Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Sheila Wright, will hold a town hall meeting to discuss ways to improve higher education in Minnesota.


Higher education conference committee holds brief meeting

Conference committees began meeting this week and started walking through the side-by-sides of the House and Senate bills. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said that conferees are getting a good start and have invited commissioners in Gov. Dayton’s administration to be part of the discussions.

The higher education finance conference committee met briefly Thursday afternoon, and House Researcher Kathy Novak walked through the side-by-side of the House and Senate bills, and Fiscal Analyst Doug Berg walked through the funding in both bills. There was no discussion, and no votes were taken.

You may find the side-by-side of the Senate and House bills here.

The spreadsheet for the bills can be found here.

Conference Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls and Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, said there is a possibility the conference committee will meet Monday, April 18 before the legislative recess. If not, they will meet after the break to take testimony on the two bills.

President Obama signs 2011 budget bill with $38 billion in reductions

At the time we sent out the weekly update last Friday, it looked like Congress was headed toward a federal government shutdown; however, President Obama and congressional leaders were able to reach a deal. This week, the House passed that budget deal by a vote of 260-167, and the Senate passed the bill 81-19. The legislation funds the federal government until September 30, 2011 at a reduced spending amount compared to fiscal year 2010 by $38 billion. Republicans who voted against the bill said it doesn’t cut enough, while the Democrats who voted no, said the bill makes too many painful reductions. President Obama signed the legislation this afternoon.

Under the measure, the maximum Pell Grant award of $5,500 was preserved, however the year-round Pell Grant was eliminated in order to pay for maintaining the maximum grant level. Other areas of reductions include the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and the GEAR UP program each reduced by $20 million; a $25 million reduction to TRIO; and the elimination of funding for the Career Pathways Innovation Fund. The Perkins Career and Technical Education program was also reduced by $138 million. With the fiscal year 2011 budget signed, Congress and President Obama now turn to the 2012 budget and the federal debt limit.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations has released a summary of the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution here.

The House Appropriations Committee has also released a summary, you can find it here.


Movement in Congress on fiscal year 2012 budget

The U.S. House voted today to approve a 2012 budget resolution put forth by Republican leadership. The plan cuts $6.2 trillion over the next 10 years from the budget submitted by President Obama. Obama has acknowledged that spending cuts will have to be made, but has offered a much different vision. Obama’s plan calls for cutting the deficit $4 trillion over the next 12 years without significantly changing any of the entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Obama’s plan also would repeal the Bush-era tax cuts on families making more than $250,000 annually.

The budget resolution now heads to the Senate where it is not expected to have any momentum. The Senate Budget Committee has not yet released their 2012 budget plan. The House Budget Committee released the report for the fiscal year 2012 budget plan which includes a proposed funding level of $7 billion below the current funding level for the Pell Grant, which if enacted could lead to a significantly reduced Pell Grant maximum award.

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, April 18

10:15 AM (Note: committee will recess by 12:00 and reconvene in the Basement Hearing Room at 1:00 p.m. or after session)
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda:
HF905 (Hamilton) Youth athletes with concussions resulting from participation in youth athletic activities policies established.
HF1440 (Beard) Hydroelectric facility municipal approval exception provided.
HF1470 (Stensrud) State government resource recovery program changes made.
HF1144 (Cornish) Former employees in the state employee group insurance program specified notice required for termination of rights.
HF1408 (Sanders) Vacancies in nomination procedures and requirements changed.
HFXXXX (Banaian) A bill for an act 1.1 relating to state government; assigning new duties to the Legislative Commission 1.2 on Planning and Fiscal Policy
HF1455 (Urdahl) State Capitol Preservation Commission established, and money appropriated.
HFXXXX (Peppin) A bill for an act relating to campaign finance; changing certain procedures and requirements of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
S.F. 247-Dahms: Public employees insurance program local government employees participation or withdrawal approval requirements.
S.F. 1100-Brown: Interest arbitration factor consideration for public sector labor relations.
S.F. 1146-Wolf: Public employees dues check off written request requirement for certain contributions.

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
S.F. 247-Dahms: Public employees insurance program local government employees participation or withdrawal approval requirements.
S.F. 1146-Wolf: Public employees dues check off written request requirement for certain contributions.

Tuesday, April 19 - Monday, April 25

Easter/Passover Break

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