Senate supplemental budget bill provides $22.1M for U of M
Senate supplemental budget bill provides $22.1M for U of M
Over the past week, the Senate Finance Committee has held several hearings regarding its version of the omnibus supplemental budget bill. As of now, the bill provides funding to the University of Minnesota for the following initiatives:
- Health Training Restoration - $5 million
- Mining Innovation Minnesota - $3.1 million
- Tuition relief - $13 million
- Forever Green - $1 million
The Senate is expected to vote on its supplemental budget bill next week. View a comparison of the House's and Senate's supplemental budget proposals.
House Ways and Means amends higher ed bill
On Tuesday, April 19, the House Ways and Means Committee heard its higher education bill. The committee amended the fetal tissue research center provision to address some University concerns. The bill contains provisions related to Department of Psychiatry clinical drug trials and a collegiate recovery program at the University of Minnesota Rochester. The House is expected to vote on the bill next week.
U leaders advocate for legislative request
Throughout the legislative session, University leaders have submitted letters to the editor across the state in support of the University's legislative requests. The following op-eds were recently published:
- "UMC needs Legislature's help on facilities" Grand Forks Herald by Chancellor Fred Wood
- "UMD STEM education and research fuel Minnesota economy" Duluth News Tribune by Regents Dean Johnson and David McMillan
- "Beeson, Omari: Preparing Minnesota's future thinkers, leaders, creators" Twin Cities Pioneer Press by Regents Richard Beeson and Abdul Omari
- "U of M student experience deserves Minnesota Legislature's support" MinnPost by Nick Wilson
Women's hockey team honored by governor
On Monday, April 20, Governor Dayton hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the Gopher Women's Hockey team winning the NCAA championship. The governor also proclaimed April 18, 2016, to be Gopher Women's Hockey National Champions Day. Read the proclamation.
Third deadline yesterday
Yesterday marked the third committee deadline at the legislature. Committees of jurisdiction must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills in order for the bills to continue in the legislative process.