FY 2016 Federal Budget: What Now?
Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) ended his last week in Congress by working with Senate leadership to hammer out a two-year budget deal. The agreement covers federal FY2016 and FY2017. It sets the top-line budget numbers, lifts the budget caps, and removes the threat of sequestration (automatic budget cuts).
The federal government is operating under a continuing resolution until Friday, December 11. Congress must act on appropriations bills and reallocate the new funding levels by that date.
Congressional negotiators are working through the details and must resolve not only specific funding issues but also if the final legislation will include such policy riders as those defunding Planned Parenthood and blocking the immigration of Syrian refugees. A government shutdown seems unlikely when the continuing resolution expires on December 11, but there is a possibility of one or more funding extensions before a final deal is worked out. Let's optimistically hope for a resolution before the end of the calendar year.
Taxes: Another To Do before the End of the Year
It is unclear whether Congress will approve a one-year across-the-board extension or a longer-term deal that makes permanent some tax breaks, such as the research tax credit, the above-the-line-deduction for qualified tuition, and the individual retirement account charitable rollover. All of these provisions are set to expire on December 31.
Perkins Loan Program
University of Minnesota students receive more than $5 million in Perkins loans-federal low interest loans. The program is set to expire if Congress doesn't act. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend the program, but the Senate did not. President Kaler participated in a Big Ten presidents letter to Senate leadership advocating for the extension of this loan program. Minnesota Senators Franken and Klobuchar are supportive of extending Perkins.
Visiting a Federal Facility?
REAL ID is a federal law passed post-9/11 that requires states to adopt a more stringent process for issuing driver's licenses. The Minnesota legislature has not adopted the new standards.
While it is unclear when this law will go into effect, faculty and staff traveling by air or visiting federal agencies should carry a federally recognized form of identification-an enhanced driver's license or passport-after January 1, 2016.
HHS Secretary Burwell and Sen. Klobuchar
The Center for Magnetic Resonance and Research (CMRR) hosted Health and Human Services secretary Sylvia Burwell and Senator Amy Klobuchar for a tour and a public roundtable, "Cutting Edge Medical Technology and Innovation." CMRR director Kâmil Uğurbil, pharmacy dean Marilyn Speedie, and Tucker LeBien, head of research in the Academic Health Center, participated in the roundtable. Senator Klobuchar followed up with an editorial in the Rochester newspaper.
Rep. Emmer at Carlson for Cuba Conversation
Congressman Tom Emmer visited campus for "A Conversation on Cuban Travel, Trade and Investment Prospects for Minnesota Businesses." The event was part of the Carlson School's Global Matters series. Congressman Emmer was introduced by Dean Sri Zaheer and joined by experts from Sun Country Airlines, Cargill, and Medtronic, as well as by Carlson professor Paul Vaaler.
Rep. Ellison on Campus
Earlier this month, Congressman Keith Ellison participated in a conference at the Humphrey School on global maternal and child health. He also met with University faculty to talk about the importance of funding federal research to our institution. And he addressed the multicultural student leadership conference.
Rep. Paulsen to Miromatrix
Congressman Erik Paulsen visited Miromatrix, a University of Minnesota start-up company in Eden Prairie.