Governor Dayton proposes budget
On Tuesday, January 27, Governor Mark Dayton released his budget proposal for the 2016-17 biennium. The $42 billion proposal, which includes a projected $1 billion surplus, prioritizes education, particularly preK-12. The proposal includes $32.6 million toward the University of Minnesota's $65.2 million requested tuition freeze (half of the funds needed to freeze tuition for all students) and $30 million for the Medical School. Read the governor's proposal.
In a press release, President Kaler thanked Governor Dayton for his support of the University, while expressing his desire to build support in the Legislature for all four areas of the University's budget request.
Read this weekend’s Star Tribune editorial supporting Governor Dayton’s Medical School proposal.
Senate higher ed presentation concludes
Also on Tuesday, Vice President Richard Pfutzenreuter and Associate Vice President Julie Tonneson finished presenting the biennial budget report before the Senate Higher Education and Work Force Development Committee. In addition, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Robert McMaster highlighted new graduation rate data in the report. The committee gave positive feedback about the University’s progress over the last two years.
Dr. Jackson provides second House overview presentation
Also on Tuesday, in the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee, Dr. Brooks Jackson, dean of the Medical School and vice president for health sciences, presented on the Academic Health Center, the Healthy Minnesota budget request, and the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations. Janice Jaguszewski, director of the health sciences library, closed the hearing by presenting on the Minnesota Electronic Library provision in the Healthy Minnesota request.
University students and faculty testify on house higher ed
On Wednesday, January 28, the House Higher Education Committee invited students and faculty from Minnesota’s higher education institutions to testify on their session priorities. From the University, Minnesota Student Association president Joelle Stangler and Twin Cities Advocacy Corps director Ryan Olson testified in support of President Kaler’s proposed budget, particularly emphasizing the importance of the tuition freeze. Faculty legislative liaisons Lyn Bearinger and Gary Gardner also testified in support of the University’s budget request.
PIPELINE bill receives hearing
This week, the Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee heard an update on the Minnesota PIPELINE Project, which stands for Private Investment Public Education Labor Industry Experience. In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature created the project with the goal of developing apprenticeships in key growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, and information technology. The Office of University Economic Development’s executive director Maura Donovan and program director Sabine Engel testified in support of legislation that would fund the Minnesota PIPELINE Project.