This week, the House and Senate passed several omnibus finance bills, which will now move to conference committees to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions. Both the House and Senate set a target to complete their finance bills by the end of this week, and they are set to reach that goal by the end of the day today.
Omnibus finance bills head to conference committees
This week, the House and Senate passed several omnibus finance bills, which will now move to conference committees to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions. Both the House and Senate set a target to complete their finance bills by the end of this week, and they are set to reach that goal by the end of the day today.
On Tuesday, April 4, the House passed its higher education finance bill 77-53. The only change made to the bill was the attachment of an amendment encouraging the University to move tuition rates toward the median for Big Ten universities. The Senate version of the bill passed 36-31 on March 28. View a comparison of the proposals.
On Wednesday, April 5, Governor Mark Dayton indicated he would veto the current higher education omnibus bills as passed by the House and Senate unless changes were made. Extensive negotiations between the legislature and governor are likely in the weeks ahead.
The legislature will begin its spring recess tomorrow. Members will be back in their home districts, with no legislative activity planned at the Capitol. The House and Senate are expected to name conference committee conferees for the omnibus finance bills shortly after the legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, April 18.