The Minnesota House and Senate reconvened at noon, today, at the State Capitol for the start of the second regular session of the 91st Legislature.
The Minnesota House and Senate will reconvene at noon, today, at the State Capitol for the start of the second regular session of the 91st Legislature. This is a shortened session, totaling only 15 weeks until the constitutionally mandated adjournment date of May 18. With many important issues on the plate, the session will move quickly.
This session the University of Minnesota has requested $317.2 million in state funding for capital investment projects. The request comprises investments in asset preservation across the system, as well as stand-alone projects on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. It is a robust request, reflective of the University’s $4.8 billion, 10-year deferred renewal needs.
The University’s request is also an investment in our students, who become workforce ready graduates; it’s an investment in our faculty, whose discovery, research, and cures transform our state and world; and it’s an investment in our critical infrastructure, shoring up our buildings while putting money directly into the hands of local contractors.
The governor recently proposed funding $224.2 million of our capital request. This is an excellent start, and we are grateful for his and the lieutenant governor’s support. We will press our case to the House and Senate and explain why an investment in the University of Minnesota is an investment in the future of our state.