House announces budget and bonding targets
House announces budget and bonding targets
Yesterday, April 7, House leadership announced its financial targets for a FY17 supplemental budget bill and bonding bill. The targets provide $600 million for a bonding bill and no increases in spending for higher education.
Last month, Governor Dayton proposed $76.25 million for higher education in his FY17 supplemental budget recommendations, including $35.25 million for University initiatives. In January, the governor proposed a $1.4 billion bonding bill, including $153.3 million for University projects.
The Senate is expected to release its targets next week.
Kaler and University leaders testify in House Higher Ed Committee
On Tuesday, April 5, the House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee heard several bills to be considered for its omnibus bill. Three of the bills would directly impact the University:
- The first bill, also heard last week, cuts the U of M's FY17 appropriation by $14 million and requires $1 million of the appropriation to be redirected to the establishment of a fetal tissue research center. If the center is established and becomes operational, the $14 million appropriation will be provided again in FY18.
- The second bill requires the state's mental health and developmental disabilities ombudsman to monitor the treatment of individuals participating in University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry clinical drug trials and requires the University to reimburse the state for the ombudsman's work.
- The third bill appropriates money to the University to expand and strengthen the oversight, compliance, and training functions of the University's institutional review board.
President Eric Kaler, Vice President for Research Brian Herman, and Medical School dean and Vice President for Health Sciences Brooks Jackson testified on these three bills and expressed their concerns.
HEAPR projects highlighted in Senate Capital Investment
On Tuesday, April 5, the Senate Capital Investment Committee held a hearing on asset preservation. Vice President of University Services Pam Wheelock testified in support of the University's capital request and, in particular, the importance of the University's first capital request priority, Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR). VP Wheelock highlighted several HEAPR projects across the state and expounded on the meaning of the slogan "HEAPR Is Cheaper." Nick Wilson, executive director of the Minnesota Student Legislative Coalition, testified in support of the request.
Rochester campus recovery program legislation heard in Senate
Also on Tuesday, April 5, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard the Senate version of the bill to fund a collegiate recovery program at the University of Minnesota Rochester. UMR vice chancellor Lori Carrell testified in support of the bill.
Second deadline today
Today marks the second deadline at the legislature. In order for a policy bill to continue in the legislative process, it must have been heard by all relevant policy committees in both the House and Senate.
Women's hockey team visits House
The House of Representatives recognized the Gopher women's hockey team on Thursday, April 7, for their seventh national championship win. Twenty members of the team, along with Coach Brad Frost, attended.