State Relations promotes the interests of all five University of Minnesota campuses with our elected officials in St. Paul and with other organizations around the state. We increase support for the University’s mission by illuminating the University’s contributions to research, education, public service, and the economy.
Minnesota Legislature adjourns
On May 20, 2024, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die without garnering the 60% of votes required to pass a capital investment bill funded by general obligation bonds. Despite both parties citing bonding as a top priority in the beginning of the session, politics between the two parties, fueled in part by the upcoming House elections, prevented them from striking a deal. The Minnesota Legislature ran out of time to pass a smaller, cash-only bonding bill before the constitutionally mandated time of adjournment.
Although the legislature did not fund the University’s legislative requests, the University received more than $27 million in state funding for specific programs and research, including teacher preparation on the Duluth and Crookston campuses and research to help protect Minnesota’s natural resources.
In sum, the Minnesota Legislature introduced 2,146 bills in the House and 2,172 bills in the Senate, but only 62 of these bills passed into law. Read the passed laws.
Setting University Legislative Priorities
Legislative priorities of the University are prepared in consultation with the President, the Provost, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations, and Government Relations and then referred to the Board of Regents for review and action. Once the recommendations are approved, the Board submits them to the Minnesota Legislature and executive branch agencies for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
If you are interested in submitting a budget or capital request for consideration by the Legislature or Governor, please consult with the Dean of your college and the Office of the Provost. Government Relations cannot approve or deny budget or capital requests, and will only support projects or budget requests submitted by the Board of Regents.
Contact
Christine Kiel
Director of Government Relations
[email protected]
Focus area: Health sciences
Andrew Chelseth
Associate Director of Government Relations
[email protected]
Focus areas: Agriculture, energy, environment, K-12 education
Keeya Steel
Government Relations Communications Analyst
[email protected]
Focus area: UMN Advocates, fiscal notes, mandated reports.
