Governor Dayton proposes $153.3 million in bonding for the University
Governor Dayton proposes $153.3 million in bonding for the University
This morning, Governor Dayton unveiled his 2016 bonding recommendations. The $1.4 billion proposal includes $153.3 million for the University of Minnesota. The governor's proposal provides $55 million for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR), and fully funds the Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science Building ($27.20 million), the Health Sciences Education Facility ($66.70 million), and the Plant Growth Research Facility ($4.4 million). The governor's proposal does not include funding for the Academic and Student Experience Investments or the Pillsbury Hall Renovation.
In a press release, President Kaler responded, "I'm grateful Governor Dayton supports systemwide facility investments for our students. We look forward to building on our partnership with the governor and legislators."
Watch the 2016 Capital Request video.
House and Senate higher education committees tour Twin Cities bonding projects
On Thursday, January 14, six legislators and eight legislative staff from the House and Senate higher education committees toured three bonding projects on the Twin Cities campus: the Plant Growth Research Facility, Pillsbury Hall Renovation, and Health Science Education Facility. They also heard overviews of proposed HEAPR projects, the Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science Building, and the Academic and Student Experience Investments. Committee chairs Bud Nornes and Terri Bonoff were in attendance.
State receives extension for REAL ID
On Friday, January 8, the Department of Homeland Security announced a two-year delay in the final phase of implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. As a result, Minnesota residents can continue to use their current state-issued ID, including a Minnesota driver's license, to travel on commercial airlines until January 2018. After that date, federally approved forms of IDs will be required to travel if Minnesota does not align their state-issued IDs with federal law. However, federal facilities now require a federally approved ID.
A state legislative working group met on January 7 and January 14 to determine a timeline for action. The legislature must address a 2009 state law that forbids Minnesota from implementing the federal law.
Supplemental Budget Request meetings underway
The state relations team continues to meet with legislators in their districts and at the Capitol to discuss the University's Supplemental Budget Request. As a reminder, the request includes four items: Cyber Security; Health Training Restoration; Mining Innovation Minnesota; and Healthy Minnesota.
Legislative deadlines
The 2016 legislative deadlines were announced on December 15, 2015 in a memo from House Speaker Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk.
- Friday, April 1: committees must act favorably on bills in house of origin
- Friday, April 8: committees must act on bills, or companion bills, which met the first deadline in the other house
- Friday, April 22: the House Committee on Ways & Means and the Senate Committee on Finance must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
The legislature will convene March 8, 2016 and is constitutionally mandated to adjourn by May 23, 2016.
Save the Date: Legislative Kickoff Breakfast
The Legislative Kickoff Breakfast will be held Wednesday, February 24, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at McNamara Alumni Center. The program will feature an overview of the University's legislative requests, networking, and an opportunity to urge lawmakers to support the University!
Retirements
The following members of the Minnesota Legislature have recently announced that they will not seek re-election in 2016:
- Senator Dave Brown (R-Becker)
- Senator Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia Heights)
- Senator Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen)
- Senator John Pederson (R-St. Cloud)
- Senator Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth)
- Senator Bev Scalze (DFL-Little Canada)
- Senator Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato)
- Senator Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville)
- Representative Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing)
- Representative Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester)
Special elections
Senator Branden Petersen (R-Andover) and Representative Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) resigned in 2015. There will be a special election in each of their districts on February 9, 2016 to fill their seats.