Kaler presents budget request to Senate Higher Ed Committee
On Tuesday, March 3, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard a bill that would invest $120.7 million in the University: $65.2 million in research; $25.5 million in the proposed Healthy Minnesota initiative; and $30 million in the Medical School. President Eric Kaler testified in support of the legislation and presented an overview of the University’s 2016-17 budget request. View the presentation and read the news release on the hearing.
Land O’Lakes Inc. president and CEO Chris Policinski also testified in support of the legislation and reinforced the value of the University to the state’s economy and workforce. Committee members received a letter signed by local business leaders, including the CEOs of Medtronic, US Bank, General Mills, Toro, and Marvin Windows, in support of the University's budget request.
The legislation was laid on the table for possible inclusion in the omnibus higher education bill.
Legislature elects five Regents
On Wednesday, March 4, a joint convention of the Legislature met to elect five members of the Board of Regents. Current Regents Richard Beeson (4th congressional district) and Patricia Simmons (1st congressional district) were re-elected, along with Darrin Rosha (3rd congressional district), who previously served on the board as a student representative. Michael Hsu (6th congressional district) and Thomas Anderson (7th congressional district) were elected for the first time.
Dean Ames testifies in House Ag Committee
On Tuesday, March 3, the House Agriculture Finance Committee heard legislator-initiated legislation that would invest $9.8 million in fiscal year 2016 and 2017 for University veterinary diagnostic laboratory equipment and facilities. College of Veterinary Medicine dean Trevor Ames testified in support of the bill and provided an overview of the current services of the University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Dean Ames explained how this legislation would allow the University to become preeminent in veterinary diagnostics worldwide. The legislation was laid on the table for possible inclusion in the omnibus agriculture bill.