Governor releases budget recommendations

On Wednesday, January 26, Governor Tim Walz released the details of his supplemental budget proposal. Minnesota is projected to have a $7.7 billion budget surplus, alongside significant federal funding. 

Governor releases budget recommendations 

On Wednesday, January 26, Governor Tim Walz released the details of his supplemental budget proposal. Minnesota is projected to have a $7.7 billion budget surplus, alongside significant federal funding. The governor’s recommendations include two items aimed at increasing access to the University of Minnesota:

  • Reduce cost of attendance burden for Minnesota residents
    • FY 2022-23: $38,000,000; FY 2024-25: $64,000,00
  • Enhanced student services
    • FY 2022-23: $5,000,000; FY 2024-25: $10,000,000

The University’s FY23 supplemental budget request focuses on three areas:
    •    Safety and security
    •    Sustainability and innovation
    •    Access and affordability

Learn more about the University’s supplemental budget request.

Committee deadlines

The leadership for the House and Senate have announced the committee deadlines for the 2022 legislative session. There is no deadline for the introduction of bills; however, each year the legislature establishes deadlines for committee action on bills.

  • The first committee deadline is Friday, March 25. This deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills in the chamber of origin. 

  • The second committee deadline is Friday, April 1. This deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills or companion bills that met the first deadline in the other chamber. 

  • The third committee deadline is Friday, April 8. This deadline is for committees to act favorably on major appropriation or finance bills. 


The third deadline is the most relevant to the University of Minnesota, since our biennial budget appropriation will likely be included in an omnibus higher education finance bill. A bill that doesn’t meet the deadlines can always reappear in an omnibus bill later in session, but that is a limited occurrence.

The deadlines do not apply to the House or Senate capital investment (or bonding) committees, the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House or Senate tax committees, and the House or Senate rules and legislative administration committees.

The Minnesota Legislature is constitutionally mandated to adjourn on or before Monday, May 23.

Become a UMN Advocate

Last week, Government Relations hosted the 2022 Legislative Kickoff for UMN Advocates. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others from across Minnesota learned about the University’s legislative requests, as well as top issues this upcoming session thanks to a panel of Minnesota State Capitol Press Corps members. In case you missed the event, watch the recorded portion of the Legislative Kickoff.

If you haven’t already, please consider signing up to be a UMN Advocate, the University’s advocacy program to support legislative requests. As a UMN Advocate, you will:

  • Receive breaking legislative news and behind-the-scenes looks at the legislative process via email and special events
  • Learn how to advocate effectively at the State Capitol and through email, phone calls, and social media
  • Strengthen the University's future and shape higher education policy by taking action