Yesterday at the Capitol
Committee deadlines set
The House and Senate have agreed on committee deadlines for the session. The first deadline, March 20, is when committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin; the second deadline, March 27, is when committees must act favorably on bills, or companion bills, that met the first deadline in the other house; and the third deadline, April 24, is when committees must act on major appropriation and finance bills.
Legislative leaders have also agreed to a Passover/Easter break from Saturday, March 28 through noon on Tuesday, April 7.
House higher education members learn about the MnSCU colleges and universities and the students they serve
Yesterday afternoon House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee members traveled to Saint Paul College to become more educated on MnSCU and learn about the successes and challenges of the colleges and universities. Board of Trustees Chair Tom Renier, Vice Chair Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Chancellor Steven Rosenstone shared with members that MnSCU provides an opportunity for all Minnesotans to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Chair Renier told members that MnSCU plays an essential role in growing Minnesota’s economy and opening the doors of educational opportunity to all Minnesotans by ensuring access to an extraordinary education; is the partner of choice to meet Minnesota’s workforce and community needs; and delivering to students, employers, communities and taxpayers the highest value, most affordable option.
Vice Chair Anderson Kelliher explained that the students are the backbone of the MnSCU colleges and universities. She told members that nearly half of Minnesota’s business graduates come from MnSCU colleges and universities, and introduced Ivan Martinez, a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato studying international relations and hoping to attend Mankato’s public relations graduate program. Martinez served in the army and received the Truman and Woods Scholarship to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato. He shared with members that his future plans are to attend graduate school.
Anderson Kelliher then introduced Heather Christopher, a nursing student at Normandale Community College and mother of six boys. Christopher told committee members that she’s committed to finishing her nursing degree to make a better life for her family. She stressed the importance of affordability and the programs reputation and placement rate in her decision to attend Normandale Community College. MnSCU colleges and universities educate three-fourths of Minnesota’s graduating nurses.
Chancellor Rosenstone told members that nearly 410,000 students attend MnSCU colleges and universities between credit and non-credit courses, and explained that the colleges and universities serve a diverse student body, “still in high school, right out of high school, adult learners, and working adults updating their skills or preparing for a new career.”
Rosenstone discussed the challenges facing Minnesota, including demographic changes: baby boom retirement, dip in high school graduates, population shifts, and growing diversity. He also talked about Minnesota needing an educated workforce that is prepared for jobs of the future, and told members that by 2020, 74 percent of jobs in Minnesota will require post-secondary credentials. Rosenstone said, “At this time in our state’s history, we must advance the quality of our educated workforce, a quality for which we are nationally known, in order to bolster our economic vitality.” Rosenstone also told members that it’s imperative that we protect affordability and the quality programs that are essential to serving students and communities across Minnesota.
Thank you to Saint Paul College for hosting the hearing and to all the MnSCU colleges and universities around the state who joined the hearing through WebEx.
Today at the Capitol
8:15 a.m.
House Education Innovation Policy
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: Presentations by education organizations.
10:15 a.m.
House Government Operations and Elections Policy
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Tim Sanders
Agenda: Public Employees Retirement Association, Teachers Retirement Association, Minnesota State Retirement System, and State Board of Investment Introduction
-Mary Most Vanek – PERA
-Jay Stoffel – TRA
-Dave Bergstrom – MSRS
-Mansco Perry – SBI
Metropolitan Council Introduction
-Judd Schetnan, Government Affairs Director
-Adam Duininck, Chair
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement Introduction
– Lawrence A. Martin, Executive Director
-Rachel Thurlow, Deputy Director
League of Minnesota Cities Introduction
-Ann Lindstrom – Intergovernmental Relations Representative
11:00 a.m.
Senate in Session
12:45 p.m.
House Capital Investment
Room: Basement hearing room State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Paul Torkelson
Agenda: Overview of the University of Minnesota and their facilities. Preview of the university’s bonding request.
12:45 p.m.
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Agenda: Postsecondary and career learning opportunities in high school.
Organizations interested in presenting on postsecondary learning or career and technical education programs in high school should contact Committee Administrator Jody Withers at jody.withers@house.mn.
12:45 p.m.
House Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda Overview and testimony on House File 1. No action will be taken at this time.
3:30 p.m.
House in Session
4:00 p.m.
Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Terri E. Bonoff
Agenda: University of Minnesota – Presentations on the Biennial Budget
Reporting Requirements & Performance Funding Metrics Outcomes
University of Minnesota – Biennial Budget Reporting Requirements (PDF)
University of Minnesota – Performance Funding Metrics Outcomes (PDF)
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, January 27
12:45 p.m.
House Capital Investment
Room: Basement hearing room State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Paul Torkelson
Agenda: Overview of MnSCU facilities and a presentation of MnSCU’s 2015 bonding request by Chancellor, Steven Rosenstone and Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities, Brian Yolitz.
12:45 p.m.
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Agenda: Achievement Gap Reduction; Examples of Success
Tuesday, February 10
4:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting: Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development; House Committee on Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chairs: Sen. Terri E. Bonoff, Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Recommend nominees for the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to be presented to a Joint Convention of the Legislature.
Bill Introductions
Please see the attached spreadsheet for the most recent higher education bill introductions.
Thank you.
Melissa Fahning
Director of Legislative Communications
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
651-201-1757 (work) 612-483-3741 (cell)
melissa.fahning@so.mnscu.edu
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