The first full week of the Minnesota legislative session brought plenty of activity, including the release of the state budget forecast, a hearing on the University of Minnesota's capital request, and the announcement of committee policy deadlines.
The first full week of the Minnesota legislative session brought plenty of activity, including the release of the state budget forecast, a hearing on the University of Minnesota's capital request, and the announcement of committee policy deadlines.
State budget forecast surplus
On Wednesday, February 28, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released an updated state budget forecast . The new forecast revealed a $329 million surplus for the remainder of the FY 2018-19 biennium. It is a significant change from the last budget forecast, in November, which showed a $188 million deficit.
The forecast is important to lawmakers and the governor because it guides the spending or tax decisions they will make this legislative session. The surplus is positive, but it is less than many legislators and Capitol watchers expected, meaning it will make any spending or tax decisions more complicated.
University presents capital request to House Capital Investment Committee
On Tuesday, February 27, Board of Regents chair Dave McMillan and President Eric Kaler joined faculty and students in presenting the University's 2018 capital request to the House Capital Investment Committee. Emphasizing the renewal of current facilities, the University group informed the committee members of the need for infrastructure investments and how these investments will provide students, faculty, and staff with the facilities needed to keep pace with universities around the world.
University leaders, staff, and students will present our capital request before the House and Senate higher education committees next week.
House and Senate set policy committee deadlines
This week, the House and Senate released their policy committee deadlines. These deadlines reduce the number of policy bills moving through the legislative process. A House or Senate committee must act favorably on a bill by the deadlines, or else the bill can no longer advance without a special committee hearing.
These deadlines are fast approaching. The first deadline, to act favorably on a bill in the house of origin, is March 22; the second deadline, for the bills' companion in the House or Senate, is March 29; the third and final deadline, for major finance or appropriation bills, is April 20.