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Legislative Notes for the week of January 26-January 30, 2004Welcome Back ReadersEach session the Government Relations Office produces a brief newsletter on Fridays to keep our system informed on actions of the Legislature. We are starting something new, a Legislative Information Web site. This new site has been designed to make it easier for everyone to access information during the 2004 Legislative Session. You can find the highlights of the week and schedules for future hearings at this Web site as well as through e-mail. The Government Relations Office has experienced many staff changes. Melissa Fahning (651-296-0669 or melissa.fahning@so.mnscu.edu) joined us in December and will be managing the legislative schedules and keeping the system aware of upcoming hearings. She also will be available for legislative questions.Mary Jacquart(651-296-0664 or mary.jacquart@so.mnscu.edu) specializes in federal programs, appropriations and funding earmarks with the Congress. Jerry Janezich (651-296-6097 or jerry.janezich@so.mnscu.edu) and Bernie Omann (651-296-6277 or 320-529-1600 or bernie.omann@so.mnscu.edu), support the board, chancellor and system representatives directly on Capitol Hill. Both are former legislators and have a wealth of experience in dealing with lawmakers from all sides of the political aisle. We are always interested in ways to improve legislative communication services and would sincerely appreciate any ideas to that goal. Short Session - Don't Count on It!Governor Tim Pawlenty is hoping to get lawmakers out of town by the end of March, and most would like to be done by then as well. But with contentious issues including the bonding bill, Northstar transportation corridor, casino gambling, stadiums, a constitutional spending limit and the death penalty, along with a session without money, lawmakers may be sticking around longer. The constitution will allow them to stay in St. Paul until May 17. Stay tuned! Bonding Bill this SessionLawmakers will focus their efforts on a capital investment bill this session. Governor Pawlenty has recommended a number of state projects totaling $760 million this year. Within that total, $88.6 million would be for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities projects. The Board of Trustees reviewed campus requests totaling $315 million and ultimately requested funding for $274.9 million. The first $100 million is for needed building repairs and the balance is for 31 projects. Lawmakers already have started working on the bill with House Higher Education Finance hearings held earlier this month at Riverland Community College in Austin and Century College. Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Al Johnson said, "It's a good start but we hope legislators will include more projects in the final bill." State guidelines will allow a bill totaling $980 million without affecting the state credit rating. More Higher Education IssuesVeteran Capitol watchers say, "Watch out when they don't have money." That might be particularly true this year with a large number of college and university issues under consideration. We will report on these over the next few weeks. They include student rioting, student fees, credit cards, campus closure commissions, casino gambling, doctoral degrees and governance of colleges and universities. New Legislative MemberRepresentative Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) was elected Dec. 30, 2003 in a special election to fill the state House seat vacated by Tony Kielkucki. Rep. Newman lives in Hutchinson and has a B.A. in political science and history from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a J.D. from William Mitchell. Among his committee assignments are Education Finance and Education Policy. Committee Membership and SchedulesThe House Higher Education Finance Committee's standing meeting time is Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in Room 300S of the State Office Building. The membership roster for the 2004 session is: Doug Stang
(R-Cold Spring) Chair The Senate Higher Education Budget Division's standing meeting time is Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. in Room 123 of the Capitol. The membership roster for 2004 is: Sandra Pappas
(DFL-St. Paul) Chair The House Capital Investment Committee's standing meeting time is Tuesdays and Wednesdays at in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building. The membership roster for the 2004 session is: Phil Krinkie
(R-Shoreview) Chair The Senate Capital Investment Committee's standing meeting time is Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-6:00 p.m. in Room 123 of the State Capitol. The membership roster for the 2004 session is: Keith Langseth
(DFL-Glyndon) Chair |
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