Senate and House spending targets
This week the Senate and the House of Representatives announced their spending targets for the 2016 – 2017 biennium. The Senate proposed to have the state's biennial budget set at $42.7 billion, the House proposed $42.6 billion while the governor proposed $43 billion. The target for higher education spending is positive under all three proposals; the Senate is seeking to add $205 million in spending, the House $53.4 million, and the governor $288.4 million.
The University is requesting an increase of $148.2 million for four priority areas over the next two years; tuition affordability at $65.2 million, Healthy Minnesota and medical school investment at $55.5 million, facility condition improvements at $15 million, and Vibrant Communities at $12.5 million. While grateful for the attention to higher education, President Kaler has said, "We will continue to push for more funding in our discussions with House and Senate leadership and the Governor's Office in the coming weeks."
Invasive species
A bill authored by Senator Kari Dziedzic providing for an additional $5 million in funding to fight against Invasive Terrestrial Plans and Pests was heard in the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Budget Division. Brian Buhr, Dean, CFANS and Robert Venette, Executive Director, MN Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center and Adjunct Professor of Entomology, provided testimony in support of the bill saying how this additional money would help conduct research to prevent, minimize, and mitigate the threats of invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to the state's forests, wetlands, and agricultural resources.
Veterinary loan forgiveness
Senator Dan Sparks authored legislation to appropriate $500,000 to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the large animal veterinarian loan forgiveness program. Dr. Laura Molgaard, College of Veterinary Medicine, testified in support of this bill in front of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Budget Division. Also providing testimony in support of the bill were two second-year veterinary medicine students, Ryan Strobel and Brady Myers.
Capital Investment
The University of Minnesota was asked to present its bonding priorities for the session. Brian Swanson, Assistant Vice President for University Services, and Monique MacKenzie, Director of Capital Planning Capital and Project Management, reminded the committee of the three priorities: $55 million for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR), $18 million for Veterinary Isolation Laboratories, and $4 million for St. Paul Greenhouse Replacement.
Incarcerated pregnant women
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill sponsored by Senator Katie Sieben on the needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth. Rebecca Shlafer, PhD, and Assistant Professor in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Shlafer has been educating others about the issues surrounding incarcerated parents and this legislation clarifies current law on the use of restraints on incarcerated women.