End of session draws near

Absent a special session, the state legislature will conclude its business when the clock strikes midnight on Sunday. With a little more than 48 hours to go, the path to resolution remains unclear.

Here is where things stand on major bills relevant to the University of Minnesota:


• On Monday, May 14, the House passed an $825 million capital investment bonding bill on an 84-39 vote. This bill includes $75.3 million for the University, including $40 million for HEAPR and full funding for Greater Minnesota Academic Renewal, Pillsbury Hall, and Glensheen Mansion.
• On Wednesday, May 16, on a party line 34-33 vote, the Senate failed to pass its own $825 million bonding bill. Passage of a bonding bill requires a three-fifths majority, so 41 votes were needed to approve the bill. The Senate bill included $95.4 million for the University.
• The House and Senate continue working through their different supplemental budget bills in a conference committee. They have merged all funding categories, including higher education, into one omnibus bill. The conference committee approved the higher education portion of the omnibus bill earlier this week, but that bill includes no new funding for the University. 
• Any final bonding or supplemental budget bill would require resolution between the differing House and Senate bills as well as inclusion of the governor’s priorities. 

The House and Senate also approved an omnibus tax bill to conform state taxes to the newly enacted federal tax reform bill. However, the governor vetoed this omnibus tax bill on Thursday, May 17, and stated he will not sign a tax bill until the legislature passes emergency school aid. 

Legislators and the governor are working long hours to resolve these and several other remaining issues. However, because this is not a budget year, there is no statutory requirement to complete any of these bills before adjournment.