State Relations Updates

Minnesota Legislature passes higher ed bill and adjourns

Late last night, after several hours of negotiations, the House and Senate passed the higher education omnibus appropriations bill. It is now headed to Governor Walz, who will sign it into law. The Minnesota Legislature subsequently adjourned at midnight, thereby concluding the regular legislative session.

MN Legislature adjourns special session sine die

With only a few minutes to spare before the self-imposed 7 a.m. Saturday morning deadline to end the special session, the House and Senate adjourned the session sine die on May 25, finalizing the remaining budget bills for the FY20-21 biennium that begins July 1. Legislators have returned to their districts. The 2020 legislative session will begin on February 11 at noon.

Omnibus bill conference committees begin

On May 1, the Minnesota House and Senate completed their respective omnibus budget bills in areas like higher education, taxes, transportation, and public safety. All budget bills are now in conference committees, where members of both chambers will work out the differences.

Third legislative deadline passes

Today marks the beginning of the Minnesota Legislature’s Easter/Passover break. All omnibus budget bills have now passed out of their respective committees, per the legislative deadlines. Several bills have also advanced through House Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee, and are now awaiting action by either the full House or Senate.

House unveils higher ed omnibus bill

The Minnesota House of Representatives unveiled its higher education omnibus finance bill this week, and it includes $114 million for the University of Minnesota— $27 million above the University’s $87 million request.

Governor revises recommendations; House DFL announces budget targets

On March 22, Governor Walz released his revised budget recommendations for FY2020-21. Today, the House DFL majority released its budget targets. The House proposed a $304.9 million increase for higher education, which includes the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the Office of Higher Education.

First deadline

It’s first deadline week at the Minnesota State Capitol, with legislators from both bodies moving swiftly to advance their policy bills before the clock strikes midnight tonight. Bill deadlines winnow the number of bills moving forward for the remainder of the session, as well as identify additional priorities for the parties.

Governor announces budget and capital recommendations

Today, Gov. Tim Walz announced his budget recommendations for the upcoming biennium. His recommendations include a $39.2 million increase for the University of Minnesota’s base budget, as well as an additional $150 million in general obligation bonds for infrastructure repairs at the University.

University presents 2019 Capital Request

This week, the University presented its 2019 Capital Request both in the House Capital Investment Division and the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee. University officials presented facts, along with compelling stories about individual projects on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses.

President Kaler presents biennial budget request to the House and Senate higher ed committees

The State Capitol was awash with committee hearings this week as new and returning members began the important work of framing individual committee priorities, setting procedural rules, and learning about the work of the House and Senate’s 56 different legislative committees, subcommittees, and divisions. Traditionally, the first week of hearings involves overview presentations of each committee’s work and provides members with an opportunity to hear from nonpartisan staff and state agencies or other institutions over which the committees maintain jurisdiction.

91st legislative session begins

At noon today, the Minnesota House and Senate gaveled in the 91st legislative session, electing Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) as speaker and House minority leader, respectively. This follows yesterday’s inauguration at the Fitzgerald Theater of Minnesota’s 41st governor, Tim Walz, and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

MN House and Senate Choose Leadership

Moving quickly to assemble leadership posts, both the Minnesota House and Senate members-elect chose their leadership yesterday and today in the first steps toward forming their overall governing structure and priorities. 

Elections Bring New UMN Alums to Congress and MN Legislature

With the results of Tuesday's election, there are many new UMN alums serving in elected office in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. 

Happy New Year

The federal government began FY2019 on October 1 with the passage of 6 out of 12 appropriations bills and a Continuing Resolution until early December for the balance of the federal government's funding.

Summer in Washington

It's an election year –– the Minnesota primary is August 14. There's a Supreme Court opening. The Farm Bill is awaiting action. The Higher Education Act is on hold. And the Senate, but not the House, will be back in session in August.