Yesterday, Vice President of University Services Mike Berthelsen presented the University's Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) request to the Senate Capital Investment Committee. HEAPR funding allows the University to preserve and renew its existing infrastructure across the state to better serve students, support research, maximize its useful life, and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of building users.
Watch our HEAPR video and retweet to show your support to legislators! Many state legislators are active on Twitter and your retweets make a difference.
4 weeks remain
Now that the state legislature has returned from spring break, the House and Senate are focused on reaching agreement on major issues before the constitutionally mandated adjournment date of Monday, May 23.
Although there is no requirement for the legislature to pass any budget bills this session, with a projected $9.25 billion budget surplus and $1.15 billion from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, legislators on both sides of the aisle are eager to pass spending initiatives, tax proposals and a capital investment bill.
Supplemental budget
Before the spring break, House and Senate committees finalized their supplemental budget bills, proposing starkly different spending priorities. The DFL-controlled House provides significant new spending in numerous budget areas, including $3.6 billion in K-12 investments, meanwhile the Republican-controlled Senate proposal centers around $8.43 billion in tax relief.
For higher education, the House proposal increases total spending by $100 million, while the Senate proposes an increase of $19 million. Under these proposals, the University would see an increase of $32.5 milion from the House and $2.4 million from the Senate. Learn more about the University’s FY23 supplemental budget request.
Capital investment
A capital investment bill, also known as a bonding bill, is legislation that authorizes the issuing of bonds and other capital to pay for certain construction projects and infrastructure upgrades. A bonding bill that uses general obligation bonds is the only type of legislation that needs a higher threshold than a simple majority to pass; it requires a three-fifths vote in support in each chamber.
Historically, the bonding bill is one of the last pieces of legislation to pass. Neither the House nor Senate have released their capital investment proposals. Earlier this year, Governor Walz released his $2.7 billion proposal, recommending $213.8 million for University projects. Learn more about the University’s 2022 capital request.
We need your help
As we approach the end of session and critical negotiations, we need your help to increase funding for the University. Emails, phone calls, and tweets can influence legislators. If you haven’t done so already, please become a UMN Advocate to receive time sensitive action alerts. Your advocacy makes a difference in the final outcome of the legislative session.