Legislative Notes for the Week of March 1 - March 5, 2004

Governor Budget Fix

Solving a $160 million deficit will require $96 million in spending cuts, $50 million in revenue adjustments and $76 million in one-time balances from state funds, according to Governor Tim Pawlenty. Part of the budget fix includes spending an additional $63 million on critical initiatives in K-12 education, safer communities, National Guard and jobs. Higher education was reduced by $20 million in financial aid from surpluses in state grant and reciprocity funds. Legislative leaders will review the governor's recommendations and decide what to do about the projected deficit.

Doctoral Degrees at State Universities

Rep. Marty Seifert(R - Marshall) introduced legislation permitting state universities to plan for delivering applied doctoral degrees. Seifert noted the need for advanced degrees in the greater Minnesota areas where the majority of state universities are located. With expensive private schools providing programs, the greater Minnesota citizens need alternatives. The plan would need legislative approval before implementation. Testifying in favor of the legislation were Tony Filipovitch from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dennis Nunes, St. Cloud State University, and Manuel Lopez, Office of the Chancellor. Russell Stanton represented the Inter Faculty Organization in support of the legislation. Expressing concern about the cost of doctoral programs was Craig Swan from the University of Minnesota.

Penalty for Student Riots

Paying the highest tuition rate for one year would be the penalty for a riot conviction under legislation authored by Rep. Carla Nelson (R - Rochester). Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mike Lopez outlined the Board of Trustees policy on student conduct and told committee members that colleges and universities would be able to act more quickly to discipline students than waiting for the courts. Diane Solinger, interim vice president for student affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, reported on academic sanctions. Sam Edmunds of the Minnesota State University Student Association and Jeff Thompson of the Minnesota State College Student Association spoke in opposition to the bill because the penalties singled out students for larger penalties than members of the public. They noted that fewer than half the people arrested in Mankato were students. The legislation was sent to the Civil Law Division in the House for further work on definitions and penalties.

House Bonding Bill Taking Shape

Capital Investment Committee members and Chair Phil Krinkie (R - Shoreview) heard a priority list of college and university construction projects from Rep. Doug Stang (R - Cold Spring) representing the Higher Education Division members. Stang asked his committee to rank the projects based on their campus tours and the presentations by Chancellor McCormick and Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Al Johnson. The committee's priority list was close to the board's original listing of projects.

Healthcare Learning Center in St Paul

St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly is requesting $4 million to plan a health care facility within walking distance of major hospitals in the city. The proposal would have a health care career center, learning spaces, simulation center and a research library. President Wilson Bradshaw, Metropolitan State University, testified that 25 percent of the State Colleges and Universities bonding request was for science facilities and 21 percent for applied labs. Bradshaw said the colleges and universities were eager to learn more about the project.

More Casinos - Don't Bet On It

You can probably learn more from the news media about various proposals for casinos, racinos and lotteries. The complex political and economic relationships with legalized gaming in Minnesota were debated this week in the House, with no clear outcome. Higher education is involved because several bills provide scholarships for high achieving students. However, there are other uses for the funds including balancing the budget deficit, stadiums, providing money to members of Indian reservations that do not have casinos and other programs. Do not expect the Senate to support major changes in gambling this session.

Perkins Reauthorization

No word yet from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Vocational and Adult Education on when final plans for reauthorization will be forthcoming from the administration, but they assure us that the more moderate tone they have been sharing with the career and technical education community will continue to be the basis for their proposal, despite the harsh language that accompanied the president's request in Office of Management and Budget documents.

WIA Reauthorization Still Awaiting Conference

The conference has been delayed due to procedural holds that are preventing the appointment of conferees. Last November, the Senate cleared its bill for reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act. The bill (S. 1627) was passed by unanimous consent. The House passed its bill (H.R. 1261) on May 8 by a vote of 220-204. The U.S. Department of Labor has completed a summary side-by-side outline indicating differences between the Administration's plan, the House bill, and Senate bill.