The Senate Capital Investment Committee passed their bonding bill yesterday. The University funds 1/3 of the cost of most projects, thus the state’s share in this bill for University projects is $118,383, with a total project authorization for the University of $152.414.
Total Project Authorization:
HEAPR - $50 million
Duluth Life Science - $15.1 million
Kolthoff Hall - $26.1 million
Education Sciences - $21.7 million
AHC - $17,400
Duluth Recreational Sports - $13 million
Morris District Facilities - $8.6 million
Grand Rapids Research - $424,000
The bill will be in the Senate Finance Committee on Friday morning and on Monday the full Senate will vote on it.
Members of the Senate Higher Education Budget Division visited the U’s Twin Cities campus on October 21, to hear from administrators, faculty, staff, and students about the state of the U and concerns about current and future funding.
Legislators in attendance:
Chairperson Sandy Pappas
Senator David Tomassoni
Senator Wes Skoglund
Dr. Robert Elde, Dean of the College of Biological Sciences, spoke about the ways in which the U creates value for the state. The most valuable contribution is the creativity of the students the college educates —the state’s future workforce. Elde also talked about the University Enterprise Laboratories initiative and an outreach project of the College of Biological Sciences that educates science teachers in rural Minnesota.
Craig Swan, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, spoke about enrollment trends. Applications from Minnesota high schools are up 60 percent and the academic preparation of incoming students is up 10 percent based on ACT scores. The incoming class is more diverse and the University is focused on increasing graduation rates.
Peter Zetterberg, Office of Institutional Research, and Reporting gave a presentation on state funding and tuition over the last 10 years. Graphs show a dramatic increase in tuition and a steady decline in state funding for the U. The state currently invests less than 4 percent of the state general fund in the University. Undergraduate tuition at the U is the third highest in the Big 10. State appropriations in 2004 equal the level of funding in 1986 when adjusted for inflation.
Dennis Schultstad, President of the Alumni Association, said that funding the University should not been seen is merely spending, but an investment that pays dividends to the state. The Board of Regents and the President have worked hard to minimize the impact of previous cuts, but further reductions would have severe effects. Schulstad also said that the generosity of Alumni and friends in the form of private giving is evidence that Minnesotans care about the University. They are willing to put their own money towards its future success and stressed that the state should do the same.
Randy Croce, a labor education services employee testified on behalf of the Professionals and Administrative employees at the U. He expressed concern that the public service mission of the University is being compromised by the lack of state funds. He has seen in his own department a shift in priorities to activities that will generate revenue for the University and not areas of greatest need.
Testimonials from U of M Students Key Points:
• Academic and leadership opportunities afforded to them at the U are unparalleled.
• Student leaders are in support of University’s proposed partnership with the state and 5.5 percent tuition hike and will ask legislators to support the University’s request so that tuition does not increase more.
• Student leaders are working to educate students about the biennial budget and other legislative issues facing the University and encouraging students to contact their legislators.
• There is increased pressure on many students who work 20-30 hours per week and attend class. Educational experience is being compromised because of financial strains due to higher tuition.
THE MINNESOTA HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICE (HESO) IS SEEKING CITIZEN INPUT on higher education programs, policies, and services as part of the executive branch biennial budget development for the upcoming legislative session. The forums create an opportunity for advocates to raise awareness of the importance of state funding for the U. Attend one of the six town hall meetings: Rochester (Sept. 27), Duluth (Sept. 28), St. Paul (Sept. 29), Mankato (Oct. 4), Moorhead (Oct. 11), and St. Cloud (Oct. 14). For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/groots/townhall.php .
By Channing Riggs, Ann Freeman, and Gayla Marty
From Brief, September 22, 2004
As the September light wanes over Washington, D.C., the 108th Congress prepares to adjourn and go home for the last hot weeks of election campaigns.
There's a lot to do in the remaining days before the federal fiscal year ends. A budget has not been approved, so it now appears likely that everything will be tossed into an omnibus appropriation bill to pass at the proverbial eleventh hour.
Legislative Update (#16)
May 12, 2004
This Week
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on Monday, May 17. It was reported yesterday that legislative leaders have reached an agreement on how to resolve their remaining work, including balancing the budget deficit, passing a bonding bill, stadiums, and many other issues. This will either be the week where everything is pulled together and enacted in a flurry or the session will end with no significant accomplishment.
At this time, conference committee members have not been named to a bonding committee so we are urging University advocates to contact House and Senate leadership. Go to http://www.umn.edu/urelate/govrel for contact information and talking points. And you can expect an all-TC campus voicemail from President Bruininks this week encouraging faculty, staff and students to contact their legislators to support the bonding request one more time.
Week in Review
Last Thursday, the full Senate considered the bonding bill. The Senate bill contains over $115 million in state funding for U of M capital improvement projects. The Senate was unable to muster the required 60% majority vote needed--it failed by three votes. It is unclear what the future holds for the bonding bill; it is likely to be a component of an end-of-session agreement.
Last Wednesday, the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee held a hearing on Vikings, Twins and Gopher stadium projects. SF 2825, authored by Senator Geoff Michel, would provide state funding for the University of Minnesota for an on-campus football stadium, after the U of M has raised a significant portion of the funds privately. On a unanimous vote, the bill was sent to the Senate Finance committee, where it awaits further action. However, the Senate is not expected to take any further action on stadium legislation until it passes the House.
In the House, the Ways and Means Committee defeated a bill authorizing stadiums for the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers. The legislation failed on a 13-13 vote, and the bill remains in this committee for any future action – also perhaps part of an end-of-session deal.
Legislative Update
April 27, 2004
This week
Today, President Bruininks is making a community visit to St. Cloud. He is meeting with the presidents of area private and public higher institutions to discuss common higher education issues; speaking to the St. Cloud Area Chamber and St. Cloud Rotary Club; holding a roundtable discussion on research and discovery with local business leaders, entrepreneurs and others; visiting the Regional Extension Center; and attending an alumni reception.
On Wednesday, President Bruininks will travel to northern Dakota County to speak at a chamber and rotary luncheon; convene a roundtable discussion on the University’s healthy foods, healthy lives initiative; and meet with newly admitted freshmen and their parents at an ice cream social at Henry Sibley High School. Area legislators have been invited to both events.
The House Capital Ways and Means Committee meets Tuesday afternoon to consider the House capital bonding bill, which will be on the House floor for debate and a vote on Thursday. We are expecting the Senate to take up its bonding bill next week, which would put the bonding bill in conference committee the week of May 3.
This coming Sunday, May 2, at 6 p.m. Twin Cities Public Television will re-broadcast the public forum on stem cell research that was held two weeks ago on the Twin Cities campus. The forum is moderated by Senior Vice President Frank Cerra. Panel members include Catherine Verfaillie, director of the Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Center for Bioethics, and Steven Calvin, co-chair of the Program in Human Rights in Medicine.
Grassroots Activity
The upcoming weeks are pivotal to the University’s legislative request, with final votes expected on the bonding bill, and the convening of a conference committee. In preparation for this critical time, the Legislative Network is trying to reach the 10,000-member mark before conference committee members are chosen. There are 9,185 members currently. Please urge your friends to join the Legislative Network by going to: http://www1.umn.edu/groots/background/taf.php
As well, it is critical that colleges, departments and individual faculty and staff are active over the next few weeks. There will be three calling nights in May to encourage supporters to contact conference committee members about the University’s capital request. Sign up for a calling night by going to: http://www1.umn.edu/groots/phone.php
Stadium update
The House Taxes Committee held a hearing on the Gopher-only stadium late yesterday (Monday) afternoon. This was the first hearing this session on the University’s proposal. President Bruininks, Coach Glen Mason, Athletics Director Joel Maturi, MSA President Eric Dyer and VP Pfutzenreuter spoke on behalf of the University. Committee members responded very favorably to the University’s presentation, citing it as a valuable project with a responsible financing plan.
We expect a Gopher-only stadium bill to be introduced by Representative Stang on Thursday.
Week in review
Last week, the House Capital Investment Committee passed their bonding recommendations for all state funded projects (this is the proposal that is being considered by Ways and Means today).
Not only was the overall bonding bill larger than the Governor recommended, but the overall funding for higher education and that for the University both also exceeded the Governor’s recommendation. We expect an even larger bonding recommendation to pass the Senate.
In addition to the recommended projects in the higher education section of the bill, the University would receive $20 million for construction of a biotechnology research facility at the Mayo Clinic, as well as $570,000 for the Water Management Research Partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Under this proposal, the University would receive $111.05 million in state funding. This is approximately 18% of the state’s total bonding bill, comparable to what we have received in previous years.
Combined with University-issued bonds totaling $26.145 million, the U’s total bonding package would be $137,195,000.
Legislative Update (#13)
April 20, 2004
This week
After a long waiting period, there is finally some action on the University’s capital request. The House Capital Investment Committee meets Wednesday morning, and it is expected to forward a proposal that includes $90.48 million in state funding for University projects.
The Senate has indicated that it will take up its capital bonding bill in committee and on the floor after the House has passed their bill on the floor. In addition to Wednesday’s Capital Investment hearing, the House Ways & Means Committee must also pass the bill before it can be considered on the floor.
After floor votes in both bodies, the bonding bill will be in conference committee, likely either the week of April 26 or May 3. We will again step up our grassroots efforts with increased phone banking, messages to all faculty and staff from the president, and mobilizing the Legislative Network to contact their legislators.
Stadium Update
There is a hearing tentatively scheduled in the House Taxes Committee on Monday, April 26. At that hearing, the University will present the stadium feasibility study, describe the proposed financing plan and discuss the need for legislative action during this session. A Senate hearing on the stadium legislation is also possible next week, but the timing of both hearings is uncertain.
Legislative Update
April 7, 2004
This week
This is a slow week at the Capitol for University issues, with the
legislature in recess for Passover on Tuesday and Easter on Friday.
Floor sessions for both the House and Senate were scheduled for
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The Senate Finance Committee passed its omnibus state budget
reduction bill on Monday. This bill includes changes made in state
funding for the purpose of balancing the state's budget. There is no
funding reduction to the University in this bill.
The Senate Tax Committee also passed the tax bill on Monday. It is
expected that today, Wednesday, both bills will be heard on the
Senate floor and voted upon. This finalizes all the Senate budget
bills with the exception of the capital bonding bill.
The House, unlike the Senate, has multiple finance bills - one for
each area of state funding. This week, the House is hoping to pass on
the House floor the remaining finance bills.
So far, capital bonding bills have not advanced as far as other
finance bills at the legislature. Neither the House nor Senate
capital investment committees have passed a bonding bill; it is
expected that they will consider their respective bonding bills next
week.
We expect that activity will pick up next week; stay tuned!
Stadium update
The Senate has a hearing scheduled for next week on the Vikings and
Twins stadiums bill. It's possible the Senate may also hear a bill
for the Gopher stadium next week.
The University is continuing to explain to legislators the importance
of addressing the U's stadium needs this session. We believe that
enabling legislation will have a positive affect on private
fundraising by further motivating donors. In addition, delaying
action will increase the cost of the project.
As legislators complete other work and the bonding bills over the
next couple of weeks, stadium discussions will likely rise higher on
the agenda.
Week in review
The MPR Midday show last Thursday, which featured President
Bruininks, was a great opportunity to reinforce University priorities
and messages. The president received many phone calls, ranging from
the capital request to tuition to the Gopher stadium. Many callers
expressed their support of the University's capital request.
The House passed a combined early childhood, pre-K-12, and higher
education omnibus bill (supplemental appropriation) last week. As
expected, the bill does not reduce funding for the University.
The House Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs committee
passed, without recommendation, the Vikings and Twins stadiums
proposal. It next goes to the House Tax Committee.
It's that time of the session when most bills pertaining to the University have been heard. The schedule of U-related hearings is very light this week although many other bills are still being heard. Legislative leadership is busy negotiating the "targets" not only for capital appropriation bills but also the supplemental bills that will balance the state's budget. Stay tuned, as the roll out of these bills will be the next time we can "take the temperature" of the legislature on the capital request.
On Monday, the House Higher Education Committee heard a presentation on stem cell research at the University from Senior Vice President Frank Cerra and Dr. John Wagner, Director of Minnesota Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Cerra and Dr. Wagner are eloquent advocates about the medical value of this work for so many people in Minnesota and elsewhere with serious and life-threatening diseases. You may have seen today's media stories about the fact that we are about move some of the research into clinical trials - another step forward!
On Wednesday, the Agriculture Policy Committee and the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee will meet jointly for an informational meeting about the future of industrial biotechnology, including the potential for utilizing biomass fibers. Shri Ramaswamy and Ulrike Tschirner, faculty in the College of Natural Resources, will testify.